By GEORGE VARGA
DEC. 15, 2019
6 AM
Shunzo Ohno has earned acclaim for his award-winning musical prowess, but his back-story underscores why he is the subject of the film documentary “Never Defeated.”
Ohno moved to New York in 1974 at the invitation of drum giant Art Blakey, who had heard the then-young trumpeter perform in his native Japan while Blakey was on tour with his fabled group, The Jazz Messengers. Ohno subsequently became a member of the famed bands of Gil Evans and Latin-jazz pioneer Machito. Alas, 14 years after he moved to New York, tragedy struck.
Ohno’s 1988 car accident, which permanently damaged his lips and teeth, would have prompted most trumpeters to quit. But not Ohno, who is now 70, still lives in New York and makes his overdue San Diego debut Friday at the all-ages Dizzy’s.
After eventually recovering from his car accident, the force of which had hurled him through the windshield, Ohno recovered and went on to play with sax master Wayne Shorter and other greats. He also resumed his work as a band leader in his own right. Then, another tragedy.
In 1996, Ohno was diagnosed with fourth-stage throat cancer and began three years of treatment and surgeries. More than 120 muscle structures were removed from his face, neck and shoulders, including some of his nerves and tendons.
That this would have been a career-ending event for most trumpeters is undeniable. But not Ohno, who — through boundless tenacity and sheer force of will — battled back, re-learned the trumpet and resumed his music career.
In 2013, he became the first jazz artist (and the first Japanese native) to win the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition. The judges that year included saxophone star Joshua Redman, Boney James, sitar great (and former San Diegan) Anoushka Shankar and Martina McBride.
Ohno won for his composition “Musashi.” It was inspired by a Japanese writer, painter and swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, who died in 1645.
The trumpeter now has 19 solo albums to his credit, including this year’s “Dreamer.” He performs here Friday with a band that features pianist Alan Eicher, saxophonist David Borgo, bassist Dave Marr and drummer Andrew Munsey, whose recent album, “High Tide,” is a gem worth seeking out.
Shunzo Ohno Quintet: 8 p.m. Friday. Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd., Bay Park. $20. (858) 270-7467. dizzysjazz.com