Makoto Ozone facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Makoto Ozone
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At Cosmopolite scene in Oslo in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Born | March 25, 1961 Kobe, Japan |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1976 – present |
Makoto Ozone (小曽根真, Pronounced [Oh-zone'-ay]; born March 25, 1961) is a famous Japanese jazz pianist. He is known for his amazing piano skills and has played with many great musicians around the world.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Journey
Makoto Ozone was born in Kobe, Japan. He started playing the organ when he was only two years old! By age seven, he was already good at making up music on the spot, which is called improvising.
From 1968 to 1970, Makoto appeared on Japanese television with his father. His dad was also a pianist and owned a music club in Kobe.
When Makoto was twelve, he switched to playing the piano. He was really inspired by the albums of another famous jazz pianist, Oscar Peterson. Makoto then took classical piano lessons for two years to improve his skills.
Becoming a Professional Musician
In 1980, Makoto Ozone moved to the United States to study at the Berklee College of Music. This is a very famous school for musicians. After his studies, he worked with the well-known jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton.
Makoto released his first album in 1983. Soon after, he returned to Japan, but he continued to perform and record music internationally.
He has worked with many artists, including the talented vocalist Kimiko Itoh. They even performed together as a duo at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Makoto also produced Kimiko's album Kimiko, which won a big jazz award in Japan in 2000.
Since 2010, Makoto Ozone has been a visiting professor for the jazz course at Kunitachi College of Music. This means he helps teach new generations of jazz musicians.
Awards and Recognition
Makoto Ozone has received several important honors for his contributions to music:
- In 2003, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music. This is a special award given to people who have achieved great things in music.
- In 2018, he was awarded the Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon (紫綬褒章, しじゅほうしょう) by the Japanese government. This medal recognizes people who have made important achievements in arts and academics.
Selected Albums
Makoto Ozone has released many albums throughout his career, both as a leader and with other musicians. Here are some of his notable works:
- Live!! At The Berklee Performance Center (1983)
- Makoto Ozone (1984)
- Face to face with Gary Burton (1995)
- Dear Oscar (1998)
- Virtuosi with Gary Burton (2003)
- Alive!!: Live at Blue Note Tokyo (2007)
- Road to Chopin (2010)
- Pure Pleasure For The Piano with Ellis Marsalis Jr. (2012)
- Time Thread with Gary Burton (2013)
- Resonance with Chick Corea (2021) – recorded live in 2016
Albums with No Name Horses
Makoto Ozone also leads a big band called No Name Horses. They have released several albums:
- No Name Horses (2006)
- Jungle (2009)
- Road: Rhapsody in Blue (2014)
Soundtracks
He has also composed music for movie and TV soundtracks:
- Ashita no Kita Yoshio (あしたの、喜多善男) - Original Soundtrack (2008)
- NHK The World Heritage: The Swell of Time - Original Soundtrack (2011)
Images for kids
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Makoto Ozone performing in Oslo in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Makoto Ozone para niños
