Drue Kataoka is an artistic force of nature. It's imperative that she continues to chronicle the jazz tradition in America, because she is an extraordinary master of sumi-e... she may be the only person in the world who understands the connections between sumi-e and jazz...
—WYNTON MARSALIS, Artistic Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center
The unique melding of two talented and great artists - Drue for her Sumi-e art and Catherine Malandrino for her designs. [Drue is] an artist who wears the art of a designer - a blend of surreal beauty that brings an instantaneous wash of emotion when you see her. Drue's Sumi-e has the lightness of spring and the delicacy of an orchid.
— BERNARD AIDAN, CEO, Catherine Malandrino
When first hearing Drue's flute playing, it mirrored my own but with a special touch of artistry unique to her. Music personalities are similar to snow flakes; all are unique. She played "All Soul" from a recording I did years ago. Both her personality and flute sparkled like a morning star.
— HUBERT LAWS, Jazz Flute Legend, 3-time Grammy® Nominee