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Hidehiko Matsumoto

まつもと ひでひこ

Matsumoto Hidehiko

Aliases: スリーピー松本 / Sleepy Matsumoto
Pen Names: Sleepy Matsumoto（Stage nickname (from his 'sleepy' style of playing)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1926-10-12 （Okayama Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2000-02-29 age 73
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Okayama Prefecture (birthplace) → Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture (childhood) → Yokohama (base for musical activity)

Career

Occupations
Tenor saxophonist, Composer, Bandmaster
Active Years
1944-1997
Affiliations
CB Eight (later CB Nine), Watanabe Shin & Six Joes, The Big Four, Hideo Shiraki Quintet, Inner Galaxy Orchestra, Hidehiko Matsumoto & Family Business
Influenced By
Charlie Mariano (collaborator), Hank Jones (collaborator)
Influenced
Akihiko Matsumoto (nephew), Later generations of Japanese tenor saxophonists

Education

Hiroshima Prefectural Fuchu Middle School (now Hiroshima Prefectural Fuchu High School)
Brass band club
Period: 1938-1943
Country: Japan
Enrolled and joined the school's brass band.
Institute of Wireless Telegraphy (predecessor of University of Electro-Communications)
Period: 1943-1944
Country: Japan
A wireless telegraphy training institute; later developed into the University of Electro-Communications.

Awards

Agency for Cultural Affairs Arts Festival Grand Prize
1977
Organization: Agency for Cultural Affairs
Result: 受賞
Nanri Fumio Award
1978
Organization: Nanri Fumio Award Committee
Result: 受賞
Art Encouragement Prize (Minister of Education Award)
1988
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Art Encouragement)
Result: 受賞
Order of the Purple Ribbon
1991
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays (4th Class)
1998
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Hidehiko Matsumoto's Modern Jazz

1960 Jazz

A 1960 leader album featuring modern jazz performances led by Matsumoto.

Modern jazzTenor saxophone

Sleepy at the Video

1960 Jazz

Recorded at Tokyo Video Hall; an album that reflects his 'Sleepy' playing style.

Live recordingTenor saxophone

George and Sleepy

1969 Jazz

A collaborative album with George Kawaguchi, featuring dual horn interplay.

CollaborationHorn interplay

Sleepy

1976 Jazz

Released on TBM; an album bearing his nickname.

Nickname-themedTenor saxophone

Samba De Sun

1979 Jazz / Samba

Incorporates samba rhythms; shows a Brazilian-jazz influenced approach.

SambaBrazilian jazz

FOUR WINGS

1980 Jazz

Released in 1980; contains recordings with varied ensemble configurations.

Ensemble varietyImprovisation

The Session

1980 Jazz

Session recordings including collaborations with the Great Jazz Trio.

SessionCollaboration

Rio Manhattan

1981 Jazz / Latin

An album incorporating Latin-influenced pieces.

Latin jazzRhythm

The Blues

1981 Jazz / Blues

A record centered on blues-influenced jazz performances.

BluesExpressiveness

HOT JAZZ

1983 Jazz

Released in 1983; contains energetic jazz performances.

Fiery performanceImprovisation

Bolero

1984 Jazz

Released in 1984; features performances incorporating bolero elements.

BoleroArrangement

40 Years Anniversary

1987 Jazz

Commemorates 40 years of musical activity; reflects the anniversary recital and recordings.

CommemorativeCareer retrospective

PAPILLON

1992 Jazz

Released on Toshiba-EMI; noted for its lyrical expression.

LyricismMelody

Furusato (Hometown)

1995 Jazz / Popular song arrangements

Includes arrangements of traditional songs and themes of nostalgia.

NostalgiaArrangement

Eternal Dreams

1997 Jazz

A late-career recording featuring reflective and lyrical selections.

Late-career workLyrical

Bibliography

  • Hidehiko Matsumoto's Modern Jazz
  • Sleepy at the Video
  • George and Sleepy
  • Sleepy
  • Samba De Sun
  • FOUR WINGS
  • The Session
  • Rio Manhattan
  • The Blues
  • HOT JAZZ
  • Bolero
  • 40 Years Anniversary
  • PAPILLON
  • Furusato (Hometown)
  • Eternal Dreams

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyrical and melodic tenor saxophone phrasingSoft, 'sleepy' tone (hence the nickname)
Recurring Motifs
Blues-inflected phrasingRomantic melodic linesIncorporation of samba and Latin rhythms

Health

  • Lung cancer
    1997-2000（1997年に手術、以後長期療養・療養等を経て2000年没）
    Underwent lung cancer surgery in 1997 and subsequently suffered medical complications that forced long-term recuperation, effectively ending active performance.

Legacy

One of postwar Japan's leading tenor saxophonists. He performed internationally—becoming the first Japanese musician invited to the Montreux Jazz Festival—and occupies an important place in Japan's jazz history.

Archives

  • Sleepy-Matsumoto Official Web Site
  • Jazz Database for Musicians
  • Daitoku-ji Sōken-in (grave site)

In Popular Culture

  • Commemorative concerts have been held after his death, and he remains remembered within the Japanese jazz community.
  • Frequently noted for being the first Japanese performer invited to the Montreux Jazz Festival.

Trivia

  • He was the first Japanese musician to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival.
  • His nickname was 'Sleepy Matsumoto'.
  • His nephew is Akihiko Matsumoto.
  • After lung cancer surgery in 1997 he suffered medical complications that required long-term recuperation.