Hara (Tsukahara), Nobuo

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Hara (Tsukahara), Nobuo

Hara (Tsukahara), Nobuo, jazz tenor saxophonist, leader; b. Toyama, Japan, Nov. 19, 1926. His popular big band the Sharps and Flats is the longestrunning band in Japan (from 1951). His performance at Newport in 1967 was well received because it consisted entirely of Japanese folk material arranged for big band. The band also recorded two albums with Hozan Yamamoto, a bamboo flute (shakuhachi) performer who has recorded several jazz records. The band still performs and records, with a handful of original members. They are said to have recorded over 100 albums and received numerous awards; special concerts were held on the group’s 30th and 40th anniversaries.

Discography

Sharps and Flats in Newport (1969).

—Taylor E. Atkins

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