Electronic Press Kit
About
Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA is a San Francisco Bay Area–based jazz fusion ensemble blending Japanese and American jazz fusion, modern improvisation, and vibrant rhythmic interplay. Led by bassist and composer Ken Okada, the group features Grammy Award–winning saxophonist Ben Torres, DownBeat Magazine Rising Star guitarist Hristo Vitchev, four-time Grammy Award–nominee Murray Low, and internationally acclaimed teenage drumming prodigy YOYOKA, known for her groove, musical depth, and magnetic stage presence.
The band has become a major fixture in the Bay Area music scene, consistently selling out premier venues including SFJAZZ Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and San Jose Jazz Break Room. Their international profile is rapidly growing, highlighted by a successful August 2025 Europe tour featuring sold-out shows at Barcelona's historic Jamboree and a headlining performance at Bulgaria's Bansko International Jazz Festival.
Press Photos
Full Band - Horizontal
YOYOKA
Ken Okada & YOYOKA
Listen
Live Performance
Ken Okada
Notable Achievements & Highlights
Consistently selling out single-bill shows at premier Bay Area venues including SFJAZZ Center, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and San Jose Jazz Break Room
Successful August 2025 Europe tour with sold-out performances at Barcelona's historic Jamboree jazz club and headlining Bulgaria's Bansko International Jazz Festival
Featuring YOYOKA, internationally acclaimed teenage drumming prodigy with millions of social media followers
Ben Torres: Grammy Award-winning saxophonist
Hristo Vitchev: DownBeat Magazine Rising Star guitarist
Murray Low: Four-time Grammy Award nominee and Stanford University Latin jazz instructor
Released three albums: Square One, Young and Brave, and Live at Alvas
Performances at San Jose Jazz Festival and major West Coast jazz venues
Technical Requirements
Basic Stage Information
Band Size: Quintet (5 musicians)
Personnel: Drums, Bass, Tenor Saxophone, Guitar, Piano/Keyboards
Stage Requirements:
Full drum kit required (kick, snare, toms, cymbals, hardware)
Double bass drum pedal preferred
Rock/fusion drum set preferred, but not required
Bass amplifier required (minimum 300W combo or head/cab)
Guitar amplifier (Twin Reverb or similar) required
Piano/keyboard (88-key weighted preferred)
2 talk microphones with stands for Ken (bass) and YOYOKA (drums)
Standard PA system with monitor wedges
Stage Footprint: Approximately 20' x 15' minimum
Load-in: 3 hours before showtime preferred
Sound Check: 45 minutes
Stage Plot: View Stage Plot Diagram
Recent Tour History
San Francisco, CA - SFJAZZ Center (sold out)
San Jose, CA - San Jose Jazz Break Room (sold out)
Santa Cruz, CA - Kuumbwa Jazz Center
Los Angeles, CA - The Baked Potato
San Pedro, CA - Alvas Showroom (sold out)
Barcelona, Spain - Jamboree Jazz (sold out)
Bansko, Bulgaria - Bansko International Jazz Festival
London, UK - Downstairs at the Dome