Tadataka Unno
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15 August 1980
Tadataka Unno 海野 雅威 | |
|---|---|
| Born | 海野 雅威 (Unno Tadataka) 15 August 1980 Tokyo, Japan |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupations | Musician, composer |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Website | www |
Tadataka Unno (海野 雅威, Unno Tadataka; born 15 August 1980) is a Japanese jazz pianist.[1]
Tadataka Unno was born in Tokyo. He started playing jazz at age 9 and attended the Tokyo University of the Arts.[2] Unno began his career by joining the trio of Japanese jazz musician Yoshio Suzuki and played professionally in Japan for the next 10 years.[3] In 2008, Unno moved to New York City and lived in Harlem. In 2010, Unno was recommended to play at the Jazz Rising Stars Program of Ravinia Festival by Nathan Davis and Curtis Fuller. He was the only Asian musician ever selected as a regular member in the history of the Roy Hargrove Quintet and the final pianist of the group, performing with the band for two years until Roy’s passing. He has also performed as a member of the Jimmy Cobb Trio, Winard Harper and Jeli Posse, Clifton Anderson Quartet, John Pizzarelli Trio, and is currently a member of Jeff Hamilton Trio. [4]
Unno has performed at the Kennedy Center, Blue Note Jazz Club, and Village Vanguard. He has released six jazz albums including Journeyer, which was recorded with American musicians Hassan J.J. Shakur and Jerome Jennings.[3]
Personal life
Unno is married and has a child.[5]
When Hank Jones died in May 2010, Unno was at his deathbed.[6]
2020 racist attack
In September 2020, Unno was attacked in a hate crime incident by a group of eight teenagers while exiting a subway station in Harlem, New York City.[5] He required surgery for broken bones and had suffered permanent injuries. Against the backdrop of the sharp increase in anti-Asian sentiment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the attackers had made assumptions that Unno was Chinese and uttered anti-Asian profanities.[7][8][9]
After the incident, he stated that he intended to return to Japan, adding that "My wife and I worry about raising kids here [In the United States], especially after this happened."[10] Following surgery and physical therapy, he has since been able to perform before audiences once again.[11]
