And All That Jazz: Nobuko
“Cobi” Narita Devotes Her Life to Music
By Dr. Pola Rosen
Almost 40 years ago, when Cobi Narita
arrived in New York, she was attracted to the Jazz Ministry at St. Peter’s
Church and immediately became a loyal volunteer. Along the musical road, she
has run the repertory orchestra Collective Black Artists, founded the Universal
Jazz Coalition, inaugurated 16 annual New York Women’s Jazz Festivals and
launched the International Women of Jazz, a dazzling array of achievements.
Recently, with the help of husband Paul Ash, she has founded Cobi’s Place, an
intimate concert hall whose primary purpose is to give young and emerging
artists an opportunity to be heard. Producing shows with jazz ‘greats’ have
also been part of Cobi’s life: Jimmy Heath, Dizzy Gillespie, Hilton Ruiz and
others.
Recently, her lifetime achievements were recognized by City Lore, People’s Hall
of Fame. Education
Update salutes Cobi Narita, a woman of valor, who over the course of
81 years, has accomplished so much for the musicians and musical life of New
York City.#
