Naoya Ogura Wins Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize with Standout Big Band Piece “Paper Cups”

Composer Naoya Ogura presents his composition “Paper Cups” at the 37th Annual BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase on June 12, 2026 at Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre at Symphony Space in New York City. Photo: Brian Berson for BMI. At the 37th Annual BMI Jazz Composers Workshop Summer Showcase, held June 12 at New York City’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, trumpeter-composer-arranger Naoya Ogura took home the coveted Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize for his composition “Paper Cups.” And this wasn’t one of those polite, split-decision wins—this was unanimous. Performed by the BMI/New York Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Andy […] The post Naoya Ogura Wins Charlie Parker Jazz Composition Prize with Standout Big Band Piece “Paper Cups” first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.