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Nathan Tokunaga
Nathan Tokunaga
/toh-koo-naa-guh/

About Me
Nathan Tokunaga is a clarinetist and saxophonist from the San Francisco Bay Area, now based in New York City where he studies and plays regularly. Inspired by early jazz and continually exploring new musical horizons, his music engages multiple generations. Nathan has performed in hundreds of concerts at jazz clubs, swing dances, concert halls, festivals, and private events.

Bandleader of
Big Bands & Orchestra
All the Strings You Are Orchestra, featured soloist
Stanford Jazz Miles Ahead Big Band, lead alto
Kyle Athayde Dance Party
Alex Mendham Orchestra
Gunhild Carling Big Band
Lindy Focus Big Bands
Stanford Jazz Orchestra
College of San Mateo Big Band
JALC SJA Clark Terry Big Band
Peninsula Youth Orchestra, principal clarinet
Awards & Honors
Essentially Ellington 2025
San Jose Jazz Commissions Award
JALC Summer Jazz Academy
Stanford Jazz lifetime Shape of Jazz to Come
Stanford Jazz Outstanding Soloist
Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship
CMEA Solos and Ensembles, Superior
Festivals
Caramoor Jazz Festival, NY
Healdsburg Jazz Festival
Monterey Jazz Bash by the Bay
San Diego Jazz Festival
Jazzaffair, Three Rivers
Hot Jazz Jubilee, Sacramento
Jazz on the Hill Festival, San Mateo