Cellist Ken James Kubota, celebrated by The New York Times for his "dynamic” and “polished” musicianship, has found unprecedented success in a career spanning performance, education, and social media. 

 

Kubota is most known for pioneering his unique style of strumming the cello like a guitar and his extraordinary success as the founder and producer of the viral video series JHM Jams, described in National Sawdust Log as an “online powerhouse.” At 4,000,000 YouTube views and counting, the JHM series consists of bi-weekly videos of unique pop arrangements performed by a rotating cast of elite classical and jazz musicians. The success of JHM Jams has led to numerous live performances across the country, including in Harlem’s Apollo Theatre and Google’s YouTube Space. Coverage and public recognition of the series can be found in Glamour and The Strad, as well as from stars like Demi Lovato and Charlie Puth, among many others.

 

In his solo career, Mr. Kubota leapt onto the public eye as a featured performer on NPR’s From The Top in 2008, and has since performed in the United States, Japan, France, and Switzerland. Furthermore, Mr. Kubota’s pursuit of excellence in chamber music has led to collaborations with world class coaches, including members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, Cleveland, and Emerson String Quartets, among others.

 

Mr. Kubota, an Ohio native, holds a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree from The Juilliard School, where he has been invited as a speaker as an authority on entrepreneurship. Based in New York City, he currently serves as cello instructor at top preparatory schools in three states, including Peabody Preparatory.