Blending intricate grooves, bold improvisation, and global influences, Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA proudly presents their debut album, Square One — a dynamic journey through seven original compositions that mark the group’s first recorded statement in the jazz fusion scene.
Released in 2023, Square One introduces the electrifying chemistry of bassist/composer Ken Okada and then-13-year-old drumming sensation YOYOKA, whose explosive energy and rhythmic maturity drive the album with urgency and style. Joined by Grammy-winning tenor saxophonist Ben Torres and DownBeat Magazine’s Rising Star guitarist Hristo Vitchev, the quartet delivers a cohesive yet adventurous sound, rooted in jazz but fearlessly branching into
funk, rock, and cinematic textures.
Recorded live in studio at Acoustic Sound Shop Studios in San Jose, CA, Square One captures the raw spirit of a band at the very beginning of its creative arc — hence the title. Each track, from the propulsive opener “Nine Gates” to the lyrical closer “Traces,” showcases Ken Okada’s compositional voice, shaped by a deep understanding of both groove and narrative.
“This album was about capturing that first spark,” says Okada. “The first time this particular lineup came together in a room, the sound just clicked — it felt honest, fresh, and full of life.”
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