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Saxophonists · b. 1933

Sadao Watanabe

Japanese jazz saxophonist, composer, bandmaster (1933-)

Born: 1 February 1933
Utsunomiya
Country: Japan
Active: 1953–
Record labels: Verve Records, Elektra, Victor Entertainment, Sony Music, Flying Disk
Discography: 66 albums

Biography

Sadao Watanabe is a jazz musician who plays saxophone, clarinet, flute and alto saxophone. Sadao Watanabe was born on 1 February 1933 in Utsunomiya. The music is usually filed under jazz, jazz fusion and bossa nova. Record labels: Verve Records, Elektra, Victor Entertainment and Sony Music. The discography here lists 66 albums, from “Sadao Watanabe Plays” (1966) to “Hope for Tomorrow” (2025). Honours include Fumio Nanri Award (1977), Medal with Purple Ribbon (1995) and Order of Rio Branco (2015).

Sadao Watanabe (渡辺貞夫, Watanabe Sadao; born 1 February 1933) is a Japanese jazz musician who plays alto saxophone and sopranino saxophone. He is known for his bossa nova recordings, although his work encompasses many styles, with collaborations from musicians all over the world.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Sadao Watanabe Plays 1966

Bossa Best Collection 1967

Iberian Waltz 1967

Jazz & Bossa 1967

My Romance: Sadao Plays Ballads 1967

Sadao Meets Brazilian Friends 1968

Dedicated to Charlie Parker 1969

Music Break 1969

Pastoral 1969

Sadao Plays Bacharach and Beatles 1969

Live at the Junk 1970 · Live

Round Trip 1970

Paysages 1971

Around the Time 1972

Sadao Watanabe 1972

Kenya Ya Africa 1973

Open Road 1973

Mbali Africa 1974

Swing Journal Jazz Workshop 2 - Sadao Watanabe / Dedicated to Charlie Parker 1974

The Girl From Ipanema 1974

At Pit Inn 1975 · Live

Swiss Air: Live at Montreux 1975 1975 · Live

I'm Old Fashioned 1976

Pamoja 1976 · Live

Autumn Blow 1977

Goin' Home 1977

My Dear Life 1977

Recital 1977

California Shower 1978

Hunt Up Wind 1978

Bird of Paradise 1979

Morning Island 1979

How’s Everything 1980 · Live

Orange Express 1981

Fill Up the Night 1983

Rendezvous 1984

Maisha 1985

Parker's Mood 1985 · Live

Tokyo Dating 1985

Good Time for Love 1986

Birds Of Passage 1987

Elis 1988

Front Seat 1989

Carnaval 1990

Super Mario World [Disc 1] 1991

Sweet Deal 1991

A Night with Strings 1993 · Live

Earth Step 1993

In Tempo 1994

Viajando 1998

Remembrance 1999

Birds Of Passage 2000

Sadao 2000 2000

Sadao Watanabe at Montreux Jazz Festival 2000 · Live

Song Book 2000

Wheel Of Life 2003

SKETCHES OF NATURE 2005

Sadao & Charlie Again 2006

Jazz Samba 2007

Sadao meets Sharps & Flats Limited Edition 2007

Basie's at Night 2008 · Live

Come Today 2013

Outra Vez 2013

Hope for Tomorrow 2025 · Live

"One For You" Sadao & Bona Live · Live

Jazz & Bossa

Awards

1977 Fumio Nanri Award
1995 Medal with Purple Ribbon
2015 Order of Rio Branco
Order of the Rising Sun, 4th class

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does Sadao Watanabe play?

Sadao Watanabe is known for playing saxophone, clarinet, flute and alto saxophone.

When and where was Sadao Watanabe born?

Sadao Watanabe was born 1 February 1933 in Utsunomiya.

What are Sadao Watanabe's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Sadao Watanabe Plays (1966), Bossa Best Collection (1967), Iberian Waltz (1967), Jazz & Bossa (1967) and My Romance: Sadao Plays Ballads (1967).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.