metamorphosis

SHUNZO OHNO : metamorphosis

Award winning trumpeter and composer, whose versatile playing and original compositions, is recognized as the most influential composer and trumpeters today. He has performed, recorded and toured with renowned leaders Gil Evans, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Art Blakey, Larry Coryell, and many others. Mr. Ohno has 16 recordings under his name as a leader and has appeared on over thirty as a sideman. His fascinating life, with his triumph over adversity, is the subject of two biographies, two documentary films, Television features, and videos. It has become his mission, to spread the power of resilience, bold courage of recovery and the proud culture of his heritage, with his music.

He has recorded traditional Japanese folk songs side by side with American Jazz music, emerging as one of the most influential Japanese/American Artists in Jazz.

His albums, reflect his commitment to global peace. Albums, All in One, DREAMER, ReNew are dedicated to the tsunami/earthquake recovery efforts (2011-2020) His annual visits for 10 years included, one-to-one dialouges with families, seniors and children, collaborating a middle school music program, motivational presentations, workshops and performances.

The documentary short, Never Defeated, The Shunzo Ohno Story, narrated by bassist, Buster Williams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=356vjoaGbrg
Review: ”Clearly Shunzo Ohno is no ordinary man. A spectacular trumpeter and an even greater musician” jazzdagama

Songs from Ohno’s cd, won awards in the prestigious the International Songwriting Competition, first in the history of the prestigious competition for a Jazz artist to win Grand Prize. Also the first Japanese born artist to win this award. His original songs won awards in the John Lennon Songwriting Competition, the US Songwriting Competition and UK Songwriting Competition.

Shunzo Ohno, Japanese born, NY resident for 40 years. Having experienced his mother’s suicide, a serious auto-accident, and 4th stage cancer, his personal recovery process revealed the unlimited possibilities beyond the adversity. This life experience and the recovery efforts for global disasters, has translated into purpose.

PROJECT: Shunzo Ohno’s composition, EPIC, a 4-movement opus, is based on a true story. A Japanese teen after the bombing of his country, questions “What is the purpose of living?” The finalé is euphoric. It is a story of recovery, resilience, and the power of humanity.
The EPIC priemiere will be performed by Shunzo Ohno’s unique Jazz Ensemble and Chamber String Quartet at Joes Pub, NYC July 30th, performance titled metamorphosis.

New York City is a mecca of mutiple cultures, native New Yorkers, and multi-generational diversity and yet, the violence against Asians, has escalated due to the unfortunate growing discrimantory media, including social media.
Music is transformative, no lanugage necessary, and speaks directly to our best-humanity.

Visibility of Asian performing artists, creates opportunities for audiences to engage with the culture of music, generating an expansive understanding.The Jazz format in combination with classical chamber musicians invites multi-disciplines and a broader audience engagement. Shunzo Ohno’s message of bold optimism builds on peace efforts through music.