Asia America Symphony Association Brings World Renowned Musicians to Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES -- The Asia America Symphony Association (AASA), Music Director, David Benoit, and Chairman, Ted Tokio Tanaka announced the Asia America Symphony's 2007 Concert Season, featuring world renowned and celebrated artists, at the AASA Press Conference on January 17th held at The New Otani Hotel in Downtown - Los Angeles.

The 2007 concert season will offer a diverse and broad range of musical genres and performers, including the highly acclaimed Jazz Saxophonist, Michael Paulo; Koto Virtuoso, June Kuramoto, member of jazz fusion music group, Hiroshima; the David Benoit Trio; the Asia America Symphony Orchestra; one of the greatest Japanese contemporary composers and pianists of all time, Keiko Matsui; and featuring the Asia America Youth Orchestra The Stars of Tomorrow Concert showcasing two extraordinary young musicians: 11-year-old violinist, Eleanor Dunbar, making her premiere solo appearance, and 12-year-old cellist virtuoso, Zachary Wong.

Additionally, David Benoit has announced the 5th Annual International Composition for Orchestra competition. The competition is open to all young composers up to 20 years of age. The winning composition will be premiered by the Asia America Youth Orchestra at the Norris Theatre of the Performing Arts, Rolling Hills Estates, California on April 21, 2007 and conducted by Benoit, an internationally acclaimed composer, pianist, & conductor. Deadline for applications with musical score and mandatory audio demo (on CD) is due by February 15, 2007.

In his 6th year as Music Director, David Benoit leads both the Asia America Symphony Orchestra and Asia America Youth Orchestra to continue their pursuit of opening artistic and cultural borders by fusing music of the east and west through classical and jazz performances. The Asia America Symphony Association is devoted to promoting music and cultural exchange, encouraging the development of young musicians, and offering a broad variety of activities designed to educate and enrich the diverse communities of Southern California.

2007 ASIA AMERICA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION CONCERT SEASON

Friday - February 9, 8:00 p.m. - The Asia America Symphony Association presents SAX & STRINGS, featuring one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz, Michael Paulo. For the last twenty years, Paulo has added his distinct "saxpertise" to a virtual who's who list of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo's longest term touring association), James Ingram, No. 1 Smooth Jazz Trumpeter Rick Braun and Guitarist Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and more. With his CD, Beautiful, released in 2005, Paulo builds upon his status as one of the most dynamic saxophonists in the world. At the SAX & STRINGS performance, Paulo will bring his mix of electric crowd-pleasing songs, and lush, romantic ballads. Joined by the David Benoit Trio and members of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra, this concert includes the beautiful and enchanting Serenade for Strings by Tchaikovsky.

Ticket Prices: $50 Preferred, $35 General Seating; Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

Friday - March 9, 2007, 8:00 p.m. - The Asia America Symphony is proud to present An Evening with June Kuramoto, another "East meets West" experience with the legendary Koto virtuoso. Born in Japan, raised in the Crenshaw District of Los Angeles, Kuramoto studied under Japan's most famous Kotoist/composer's protege, Madame Kazue Kudo. Kuramoto's desire to integrate her music with the American culture, resulted in joining Dan Kuramoto, leader of the popular jazz group, Hiroshima, and has since been one of the driving artistic forces of Hiroshima creating a multi-cultural music statement. Her many credits, besides the numerous recordings with Hiroshima, include performing and/or recording with Ravi Shankar, George Duke, David Benoit, Manhattan Transfer, Taste of Honey, Stanley Clarke, Keiko Matsui, Yutaka Yokokura, Michael Paulo, Angela Bofill, and most recently, Ozomatli. She can also be heard on motion picture scores such as "The Last Samurai," "Blade II," and "Black Rain."

An Evening with June Kuramoto will explore the boundaries of classical, jazz, and everything in between. This evening promises to be a program full of surprises, and will also feature the David Benoit Trio.

Ticket Prices: $50 Preferred, $35 General Seating; Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

Saturday - April 21, 2007, 8:00 p.m. - The Asia America Youth Orchestra in concert - The Stars of Tomorrow. Making their first appearance with the Asia America Youth Orchestra are violin sensation, Eleanor Dunbar, age 11 and virtuoso cellist, Zachary Wong, age 12. Music Director David Benoit will conduct works by Bernstein, Beethoven, Benoit, Bizet, Dvorak, Mancini, along with the first prize composition winner of the 5(th) Annual International Composition for Orchestra competition.

Ticket Prices: $20 Adults, $5 Youth (Under 18 years old), Donations accepted; Norris Theatre for the Performing Arts, 27570 Crossfield Drive, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274.

Saturday - June 9, 2007, 8:00 p.m. - The Asia America Symphony Orchestra, Music Director & Conductor David Benoit, with special guest, Keiko Matsui. As an icon of contemporary jazz with nearly 1.2 million units sold in the U.S. alone and packed concert halls, composer and pianist, Keiko Matsui, is one of the most recognized artists in the genre. Her elegant piano melodies and gentle jazz grooves have enormous appeal and never disappoint her loyal fan base which she has cultivated with over a dozen albums and stunning live shows.

Jazz Superstar and Japanese Treasure, Keiko Matsui, performs with the Asia America Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Benoit. This concert will also feature works by Ravel, Copland, Benoit and others. Don't miss out on this is once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ticket Prices: $75 VIP & Reception, $35 Premiere, $25 General Seating; George and Sakaye Aratani Japan America Theatre, 244 South San Pedro St. Los Angeles, CA 90012.