Shunzo Ohno: "Dreamer" (Pulsebeat Records SO 1004)
Rating: ***** (musical performance & sonic quality)
Produced by Shunzo Ohno
Co-Producers: Kazuko Ohno and Si Spiegel
Executive Producer: Pulse 21 Inc.
Engineers: Phil Magnotti, Dave Darlington & Danny Lapidus
Mastered by Dave Darlington
Artwork & Design: Léa Ono
Photos: Mike Esperanza
Featuring: Shunzo Ohno (trumpet), David Berkman (piano), Henry Hey, George Colligan (piano and keyboards), Buster Williams, Ed Howard, Ira Coleman, Dave Anderson (bass), Billy Kilson, Jerome Jennings, Thierry Arpino (drums), Cyro Baptista, Danny Shadownik (percussion), Ray Spiegel (tabla), Vic Juris, Paul Bollenbeck, John Hart (guitar), Sasha Ono, Jeanne LeBlanc (cello)
Considered one of the most influential trumpeters of our time, Shunzo Ohno has played, recorded and toured with such renowned leaders as Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, and many others. Mr. Ohno has 16 recordings under his name as a leader and has appeared on over thirty more as a sideman. His fascinating life, with his triumph over illness and adversity, is the subject of a biography, "Trumpet of Hope" and a documentary film, "Trumpet of Glory." Fuji Television featured his story on the primetime show "Unbelievable." The documentary short, Never Defeated: The Shunzo Ohno Story, narrated by long-time friend, Buster Williams.
Born in Gifu, Japan, Shunzo began his musical passion at age 13 in his local public school. By age 19, Shunzo was the leading jazz trumpeter in Japan. Working as a composer and arranger, Shunzo's career hit high gear when he met renowned bandleader Art Blakey. He toured with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, throughout the United States and settled in New York City in 1974 at Blakey's suggestion.
The compelling Latin energy in Shunzo's playing can be traced back to his tenure with the celebrated Machito and his Afro-Cuban Orchestra. He recorded the Grammy Award-winning album with Machito and His Salsa Big Band (1983), which feature his solos.
Shunzo then joined one of his most influential inspirations, master arranger and composer Gil Evans, becoming a key contributor on tours, club dates, and recordings, including the 1988 Grammy Award-winning "Live at Sweet Basil." Shunzo made a total of four recordings with Evans, who remained a lifelong mentor to him. Returning to Japan with Super Sounds, a group that included jazz legends Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Larry Coryell broadened his experience.
In 1988, he was involved in a serious automobile accident in which his teeth and lips were permanently damaged. He remained undeterred by the long recovery process, and strengthened his resolve to find a new approach to his music. He renewed his vision in performances with Wayne Shorter and later, Buster Williams.
Adversity struck Shunzo again in 1996 when he was diagnosed with life-threatening throat cancer. For three years, he underwent radical treatments to control the disease and embarked on the difficult road to recovery. His refusal to allow personal struggles and seemingly insurmountable circumstances led Shunzo to create new developments in his art and unique voice.
Shunzo wrote and performed for the award winning documentary film for the Children's Rights organization titled "TreShawn." The Min On Concert Association, founded by Daisaku Ikeda, promotes the global exchange of musical culture and has awarded Shunzo the "Min On Award of Highest Honor" which reads in part:
Mr. Ohno, You have never given in to adversity, your inner conviction unassailable. Your love for the trumpet and the exquisite music it creates is unsurpassed, its message of hope and triumph radiating from the world of jazz in New York out towards the entire world, instilling listeners everywhere the strength to live.”
When the Great Tohoku Earthquake struck Northern Japan, Shunzo Ohno has dedicated his endeavors to the rebuilding efforts, focusing on reviving music programs, providing instruments and instruction.
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