MAO SONE

Mao received a full scholarship at Berklee College Of Music in 2010. At Berklee, he studied with Tiger Okoshi and Danilo Perez. After years, he became a part of the Global Jazz Institute and completed his master’s degree with summa cum laude.

He performed at the Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, and Monterey Jazz Festival, and collaborated with internationally recognized artists, such as Danilo Perez, Joe Lovano, Terri Lyne Carrington, and John Patitucci. In 2017, he led his group to perform at NYC Blue Note and Blues Alley in Washington DC. In 2018, he recorded and released his debut album for Pony Canyon Jazz. 

 

In 2020, he appeared, in the leading role, in Kevin Hæfelin's film, TRUMPET, which has received awards from internationally recognized film festivals, including the Best Short Audience Award at the 42nd Max Ophüls Preis, the Best Short Comedy Award and Ambassador Award at Rhode Island International Film Festival, and the Audience Award at Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia. 

 

In 2022, he released his project album, “BRIGHTNESS OF THE LIVES”, and appeared on the cover of Japanese Jazz Magazine, “Jazz Japan”. He performed at Blue Note Tokyo and Billboard Live Osaka with Brightness of the Lives.

In 2023, he released his solo album “PLAYS STANDARDS” and toured China for its release concerts. 

 

As a composer/arranger, he arranged for Danilo Perez’s “Jazz 100” in 2018, he worked for Wayne Shorter’s “Iphegenia” as a copyist in 2019, and he orchestrated for “Nat King Cole Christmas” directed by Terri Lyne Carrington. He composed/arranged piano pieces for the Netflix original series starting in 2024 at the same time he instructed playing pianos for actors. 

 

He has been awarded accolades and honors: the 1st prize at International Trumpet Guild Improvisation Competition, being chosen as the semifinalist at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition, receiving Nagareyama City - Culture and Distinguished Services Prize, and the 1st prize at "Keep An Eye" international jazz awards.