Award-winning trumpeter and composer Naoya Ogura is the winner of the prestigious 2026 Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize and the Manny Albam Commission. He is also a recipient of the 2026 Queens Arts Fund (QAF) New Work Grant.

A native of Kobe, Japan, Naoya’s relationship with music began in early childhood, when he first started composing melodies on the piano and capturing them on a tape recorder. He later developed his passion for big band jazz as a trumpet player, deeply immersing himself in the timeless traditions of Count Basie and Glenn Miller. After building a thriving professional career in Japan—performing, arranging, and leading his own groups at major national festivals—Naoya made the bold decision to relocate to New York City in January 2020 to expand his artistic vision.

He earned his degree from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, refining his distinct voice as a composer and arranger under the mentorship of jazz luminaries such as Michael Philip Mossman, Antonio Hart, and David Berkman. Despite the sudden challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, Naoya’s resilience and profound talent only deepened his bonds with New York’s elite jazz community. As a standout arranger and conductor, he directed performances at the Jimmy Heath Scholarship Fund Concert, sharing the stage with legends like Jon Faddis and Lew Tabackin. His relentless drive culminated in the formation of his own world-class big band, establishing him as one of the most compelling new voices in modern jazz composition.