Shunzo Ohno

Shunzo Ohno (大野 俊三 Ōno Shunzō, born 22 March 1949) is a Japanese trumpeter, composer and arranger.

In 1974 Ohno accepted Art Blakey's offer and went to the U.S. He made recordings in cooperation with famous musicians, and some of his songs sold very well. He played active parts as a member of MACHITÖ Y SUS AFROCUBANAS and became known in Europe and South America. In 1984, he won a Grammy Award for his album Machito and His Salsa Big Band. Four years later, he also won for Live at Sweet Basil. Ohno was involved in a traffic accident in 1988 which made him stop playing the trumpet, but he later recovered. In 2014, he became the first Japanese jazz player to win the Grand Prize of the International Songwriting Competition, for his song "Musashi".

Biography

Ohno Shunzo was born in Gifu Prefecture in 1949.

He started enjoying music when he was 13. When he was 17, he was absorbed in the jazz music. After one year, he came out as a professional jazz trumpeter. By the time he was 20, he became one of the best jazz trumpeter in Japan. In 1974, he met Art Blakey, who was one of the most famous bandleaders in those days, and Blakey suggested that Ohno should practice the jazz in the United States, so he decided to move to New York. (Shunzo Ohno Official Site) First, he wanted to return to Japan in less than six months, but later he decided to continue his activity there because there are many good musicians in the United States and he thought it more stimulating to keep practicing there. (NYnoissennde24nen zyazuman Ohno Shunzo, ganwokoete, 1998) Afterwards, he succeeded in playing with Blakey, and, as a member of Dance of Magic, which Norman Connors represent, he participated in the world tour for three years. Also, as a member of Machito and his AfroCuban Orchestra, he participated in all American tours or South American tours. In those days, many drugs were in fashion and Ohno was also addicted to drugs. He wasted almost all of his pay on drugs. However, thanks to his wife's help, he got over this problem.[1]

In 1984, he got Grammy Award for the album Machito and His Salsa Big Band, which included the song Ohno played solo.

From 1983, he participated in Gil Evans Orchestra and in 1988, he got Grammy award again for the album Live at Sweet Basil.[2]

On the Christmas Eve in 1988, he got seriously injured in the traffic accident. Fortunately, he came to around, but he thought he could not playing the jazz because his mouth and teeth, which was essential for his play, were seriously injured. However, he did not gave up playing it again and endured his rehabilitation, and he started his professional activity again.[3]

In 1996, a tragedy happened to him again. Cancer was found in his tonsils. He could not avoid a major operation. He was worried again if he should retire as a professional jazz trumpeter. However, he decided to continue being a professional jazz trumpeter at last.[4] Three months after, Wayne Shorter, who Ono Shunzo respected, requested him to join in his stage. His offer helped Ohno try to play the trumpet again. He succeeded in the stage. It was his family and Shorter that knew he endured the serious pain. He said "Indeed I lost some time because of two accidents but from these accidents I learnt a lot of things about how to play the trumpet or to express my own feeling."

In 1999, Ohno participated in Larry Coryell's world tour.

After the major earthquake in the Tohoku District on March 11, 2011, Ohno played many charity performances in many places both in Japan and in foreign countries to support the victims.[5]

In 2014, Ohno got the Grand Prize for his song "Musashi" in the International Songwriting Competition, which is famous as one of the best composition competition in the world.[6]

Awards

Source:[7]

Compositions

Among his best-known compositions are:

Source:[8]

References

  1. ↑ NYnoissennde24nen zyazuman Ohno Shunzo, ganwokoete (Ohno Shunzo, who has been working as one of the best trumpeters in New York, talked about his experience of recovering from cancer). (1998, June 30). Asahi Shinbun Yukon. P.15
  2. ↑ Shunzo Ohno Official Site – Biography--.Retrieved: http://www.shunzoohno.com/en/bio.html
  3. ↑ Okada, H. (2007, October 21). Raibu:3donokikinorikoeta…zyazutoranpettosousya・Ohnosan,Nigatade (Ohno Shunzo, who is a trumpeter and has got over three crises, hold a live concert in Niigata). Mainichi Shinbun Chihouban/Niigata, p.25
  4. ↑ Shisei Wo Koete gantotatakautoranpettosousya・Ohno shunzo (Ohno Shunzo is a trumpeter who receive the hard treatment for cancer). (2000, September 7). Asahi Shinbun Yukon. P.2
  5. ↑ Shunzo Ohno Official Website Biography~profile~. http://www.shunzoohno.net/bio.php [July 6, 2014]
  6. ↑ International Songwriting Competition 2014. Retrieved:http://www.songwriting competition.com/winners [ November 27, 2014]
  7. ↑ Shunzo Ohno Official Site – Biography--.Retrieved: http://www.shunzoohno.com/en/bio.html [July 6, 2014]
  8. ↑ Shunzo Ohno Official Site – Biography--.Retrieved: http://www.shunzoohno.com/en/bio.html [July 6, 2014]
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