Jazz bassist Ono dies at 78

Bassist Mitsuru Ono, one of the key figures in Japan’s jazz boom, passed away last month, it was learned on Wednesday. On January 2, he succumbed to pneumonia at a hospital in Hachioji, Tokyo. He was 78.

After graduating from high school in 1945, he joined a swing band led by musician Toriro Miki. He then became part of the jazz boom by forming the group Big 4 along with Hachidai Nakamura, George Kawaguchi, and Hidehiko Matsumoto.

After that, Ono became part of Six Brothers, a band that performed with legendary enka singer Hibari Misora. Ono and Misora had a very friendly relationship, earning Ono the nickname of “Hibari’s first love” and leading to rumors that the two were engaged.

Ono created his own band, Mitsuru Ono & The Swing Beavers, in 1959. He was also seen frequently on NHK’s Kohaku Uta Gassen.

Source:
Sankei Sports