Biography 鈴木勲

Isao Suzuki is the grand master of jazz in Japan. He is a bassist, multi instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and band leader.

Suzuki was born on January 2, 1933 in Tokyo. His musical career began in 1956 when he played double bass at a U.S. military base in Tokyo. In 1970 he went to New York at the encouragement of Art Blakey and

joined his legendary group JAZZ MESSENGERS. During this time, he worked and recorded with Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Ella Fitzgerald, Wynton Kelly, Bobby Timmons, Jim Hall, Ron Carter, and others.

After his return to Japan, Suzuki contributed to the development of many young musicians and enlisting them as

members of his band 'OMA SOUND,' which has kept his sound on the cutting-edge of progressive jazz. On his solo album "Self-Portrait" (1980), Suzuki played 20 or more instruments, sealing his unique standing in the Japanese jazz scene.

Now, with more than50 albums released, including several winners of the prestigious Japan Jazz Prize award, Suzuki's reputation as a unique leader of jazz in Japan has been secured.

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