Internationally acclaimed Miho Hazama is the new Artist in Residence

Japanese-American Miho Hazama (b. 1986) is regarded as one of the world’s most exciting voices in big band jazz. She was trained as a classical composer at the Kunitachi College of Music in Japan and as a jazz composer at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. With a musical palette that seamlessly weaves together jazz, classical music, and contemporary expression, she has made a name for herself as an innovative and groundbreaking force. Since 2019, she has been chief conductor of the Danish Radio Big Band, and since 2020 also guest conductor of the Metropole Orkest, one of Europe’s leading orchestras with a strong profile in cross-genre collaborations.

“We are so happy about this upcoming residency with Miho Hazama. Both because our big band, Bohuslän Big Band, gets the opportunity to collaborate with one of the world’s leading conductors and arrangers, and because the audience here in Vara will get to experience this world star of big band jazz on our stage,” says Karin Beckman, CEO & Concert Hall Director at Vara Konserthus.

Artistic development for the big band

During her residency, Miho Hazama will take on the role of guest conductor and arranger for the Bohuslän Big Band. She has been given the artistic assignment of arranging music written by the American jazz pianist and composer Aaron Parks – specially adapted to the Bohuslän Big Band’s expression and identity. The collaboration will be a central part of Vara Concert Hall’s residency program over the coming year and part of the concert hall’s initiative to foster innovative artistic encounters at an international level.

“Miho Hazama has an exciting and unique way of arranging music for jazz orchestra, which is one of the main reasons we are looking forward to collaborating with her. Through this collaboration, Bohuslän Big Band is given a fantastic opportunity to develop and grow artistically, inspired by her creativity and impressive orchestration,” says Eric Brandström Arellano, orchestra director of Bohuslän Big Band.

One in a series of international collaborations

In recent years, Vara Concert Hall and the Bohuslän Big Band have had several internationally acclaimed artists-in-residence associated with them – such as the pianist, composer and arranger Danilo Pérez and the conductor and arranger Vince Mendoza. This type of collaboration is an important part of the big band’s musical development.

“Hazama’s experience and collaboration with some of the world’s leading jazz musicians and orchestras make this residency particularly exciting. We are really looking forward to working with her,” says Eric Brandström Arellano.

Miho Hazama’s residency runs from September 2025 to April 2026.