The San Francisco Bay Area–based jazz fusion band Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA features Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Ben Torres, DownBeat Magazine Rising Star guitarist Hristo Vitchev, and four-time Grammy Award–nominee Murray Low, who also teaches Latin jazz at Stanford University. Led by bassist and composer Ken Okada, the group’s sound blends Japanese and American jazz fusion, modern improvisation, and vibrant rhythmic interplay—energized by the dynamic drumming of YOYOKA, the internationally acclaimed teenage prodigy known for her groove, musical depth, and joyful presence behind the kit.

This acclaimed group has become a major fixture in the Bay Area music scene, consistently selling out single-bill shows at premier venues and festivals including the San Jose Jazz Festival, SFJAZZ Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, the San Jose Jazz Break Room, The Baked Potato, and Alvas Showroom.

The band’s international profile is rapidly growing, highlighted by a successful August 2025 Europe tour. This run included two sold-out shows in one night at Barcelona’s historic jazz club Jamboree and a headlining performance at Bulgaria’s largest jazz event, the Bansko International Jazz Festival, where they delivered an encore and drew a long line of fans for a post-show signing session.

To date, the band has released two original albums—”Square One” and “Young and Brave”—as well as a live album recorded at their concert in Los Angeles. They are currently in the studio recording their highly anticipated third full-length original album.

Ken Okada (bass, composer & leader)
YOYOKA (drums)
Ben Torres (tenor sax)
Hristo Vitchev (guitar)
Murray Low (piano/keyboard)