Makoto Ozone

Makoto Ozone (小曽根真, Ozone Makoto, born March 25, 1961 in Kobe) is a Japanese jazz pianist.

Career

He began playing organ at two and by seven was an improviser. He appeared on Japanese television with his father from 1968 to 1970. At twelve he switched to piano after being impressed by the albums of Oscar Peterson. In 1980 he entered the Berklee College of Music and later worked with Gary Burton. He also had his debut in 1983 before returning to his native Japan.

Ozone has collaborated with vocalist Kimiko Itoh. They appeared as a duo at the Montreux Jazz Festival, and he produced her album Kimiko, which won the 2000 Swing Journal jazz disk grand prix for Japanese vocalist.

Ozone is in charge of visiting professor of Jazz course in Kunitachi College of Music since 2010.

Awards

• 2003: Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.
• 2018: Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon (紫綬褒章, しじゅほうしょう)

Discography

As Leader

• Makoto Ozone (Columbia, 1984)
• After (Columbia, 1986)
• Spring Is Here (Columbia, 1987)
• Now You Know (Columbia, 1987)
• Starlight (JVC/Victor, 1990)
• Paradise Wings (JVC/Victor, 1991)
• Walk Alone (JVC/Victor) 1992)
• Breakout (Verve, 1994)
• Nature Boys (Verve, 1995)
• At The Montreux Jazz Festival (Videoarts Music, 1997) - with Kimiko Itoh
• Makoto Ozone The Trio (Verve, 1997) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• Three Wishes (Verve, 1998) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• Dear Oscar (Polydor, 1998) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• No Strings Attached (Polydor, 1999)
• Pandora, (Verve, 2000) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• So Many Colors, (Verve, 2001) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• Treasure, (Verve, 2002) - with Michael Brecker, Gary Burton, Chick Corea
• Reborn, (Verve, 2003) - As Makoto Ozone The Trio
• New Spirit (Universal, 2004) - As Makoto Ozone The Trio
• Real, (Verve, 2006) - as Makoto Ozone The Trio
• Jungle, (Verve, 2009)

With Gary Burton

• Real Life Hits (ECM, 1984)
• Whiz Kids (ECM, 1986)
• Face to Face (GRP, 1995) - recorded 1994
• Virtuosi (Concord, 2003) - recorded 2001
• Generations (Concord, 2004)
• Time Thread (Verve, 2013)

With Anna Maria Jopek

• Road To Chopin (Merlin, 2009)
• Haiku (Universal, 2011)
• The Trio (Universal, 2018)