For more than three decades, OKÄRU HOSHINO-LOVELACE has been a vibrant presence in New York City’s jazz community, earning recognition for her expressive vocals, cross-cultural artistry, and compelling live performances. Bridging the traditions of jazz with global influences, she creates performances that celebrate musical diversity, storytelling, and human connection.A native of Japan with a career spanning the United States and Japan, OKÄRU has represented the spirit of cultural exchange through performances for municipal and educational programs, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, Hoshino Village, and other international events dedicated to community, heritage, and peace. In New York, she has appeared at Ornithology Jazz Club, St. Peter’s Church, St. Nick’s Pub, Lenox Lounge, International Jazz Day, and numerous cultural and community events. She is the founder and host of the Singers Connection Open Mic & Jam at University of the Streets Theater and has served as host of the Jazz Foundation of America’s Monday Night Jam. As co-bandleader of Beautiful Journey, she has performed at Paris Blues, the Harlem Fine Arts Show, and the Inwood Jazz Festival. Her repertoire embraces jazz standards, bossa nova, Latin jazz, funk, reggae, and original compositions, reflecting both deep respect for the jazz tradition and a distinctive artistic voice. Beyond music, her background in dance—including studies at Broadway Dance Center, Ballet Arts, Egyptian dance and Turkish dance—brings a visually expressive dimension to her performances. The graceful integration of movement, castanets, and flowing veils creates an immersive concert experience that is both elegant and culturally rich.