is a Japanese jazz

Japanese jazz

Japanese jazz refers to jazz music that is played by Japanese musicians, or to jazz music that is in some way connected to Japan or Japanese culture. In a broader sense, the concept is often used to refer to the history of jazz in Japan. Japan has, according to some estimates, the largest...

 pianist.

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 albums by Oscar Peterson

Oscar Peterson

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...

. In 1980 he entered the Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music

Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...

 and later worked with Gary Burton

Gary Burton

Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...

. He also had his debut in 1983 before returning to his native Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

.

Ozone has collaborated with vocalist Kimiko Itoh

Kimiko Itoh

is a Japanese jazz singer. She was born on the island of Shōdoshima in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan.After graduating from Musashino Art University with a degree in oil painting, she studied under Yasushi Sawada....

. They appeared as a duo at the Montreux Jazz Festival

Montreux Jazz Festival

The Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...

, and he produced her album Kimiko, which won the 2000 Swing Journal jazz disk grand prix for Japanese vocalist.

Discography

With Gary Burton

Gary Burton

Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...

• Real Life Hits
  Real Life Hits
  Real Life Hits is an album by vibraphonist Gary Burton recorded in 1984 and released on the ECM label in 1981.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "The appealing group sound and the spontaneous yet tight ensembles and solos make this a worthwhile...
  
  (ECM, 1984)
• Whiz Kids
  Whiz Kids (album)
  Whiz Kids is an album by vibraphonist Gary Burton's Quintet recorded in 1986 and released on the ECM label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "The repertoire and post-bop solos have more fire than one would normally expect on a Gary Burton record, and...
  
  (ECM, 1986)

External links

• [ All Music]
• NPR profile
• Makoto Ozone's official webpage