OTOE MORI

Saxophonist 

 

Born in Nagano, Japan, Otoe Mori was quite literally blessed with music—the meaning behind her name. Inspired by the sounds of her father’s saxophone and clarinet, she discovered a deep connection to music from an early age. Her passion grew through her school years as she performed in middle and high school bands, eventually leading her to pursue formal music studies in Yokohama.

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While studying, Otoe successfully auditioned for the brass pop band Brass Plus, which released an album under Sony Music Entertainment and toured extensively across Japan. A multi-instrumentalist, she performed both saxophone and clarinet with the band. She also took to the stage in the Japanese musical adaptation of Mr. Holland’s Opus, performing alongside well-known Japanese actors.

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In 2003, Otoe moved to the United States with her husband and quickly immersed herself in the local music scene. Over the years, she has performed with a wide array of talented artists and bands including Humanistic, Christopher Williams, Pete Escovedo, Pee Wee Ellis, James Levi (Herbie Hancock), Robin Duhe (MAZE), John Elefante (Kansas), Jason Scheff (Chicago), Kevin Chalfant (The Storm & Journey), Randall Hall (Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Joel Del Rosario.

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In 2017, Otoe was introduced to Marco and Kevin during a rehearsal for Smooth Jazz Alley with guitarist Joel Del Rosario. The chemistry between them was immediate. After several performances and a growing musical bond, the trio began to envision something more permanent. While early conversations circled around a solo project for Otoe, it became clear that she belonged within the SJA family.

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Her first studio recording with Smooth Jazz Alley, Deep Into You, marked her debut at radio. The track features a soulful performance by guitarist Blake Aaron and showcases Otoe’s signature blend of warmth, tone, and expressive phrasing—hallmarks of her musical voice.