Japanese music-industry veteran Hiroshi Aono is leaving Universal Music Japan (UMJ) to work as an independent producer and run his own (as yet unnamed) jazz label, which will be marketed by UMJ.

Aono is currently managing director of classics and jazz at UMJ. Replacing him effective Jan. 1 is Hiroko Kawachi, who will report to Universal International Japan Managing Director Kimitaka Kato.

“I have been offered a new role from (Universal Music Group International Asia Pacific President) Max Hole, and will be working as an outside producer for Universal,” says Aono.

The first act Aono will produce is Portland, Oregon-based 13-piece band Pink Martini, who are managed by Vancouver-based Macklam Feldman Management.
 
“Aono-san’s knowledge and love for jazz is unparalleled in the industry,” says Hole. “He is respected throughout the world by musicians, managers and artists alike. (UMJ CEO) Kazu Koike, (UMGI Classics and Jazz President) Chris Roberts and I decided to give him a jazz imprint that fully utilizes his talents, in a marketplace where demand for adult music is showing encouraging signs of growth."

UMJ Chairman Kei Ishizaka calls Aono “one of Japan's top authorities on jazz. I'm very much looking forward to seeing a man full of professionalism like Mr. Aono establish his own jazz label, and I believe we can expect not only good music, but also best-sellers to come from his label.”

Aono began his career in 1978 at Victor Musical Industries (now Victor Entertainment) as label manager for Fantasy Records and subsequently worked as label manager for GRP Records. From 1991 until 2000 Aono worked at MCA Victor, a Tokyo-based joint venture between MCA and Victor Entertainment parent company Victor Co. of Japan (JVC). MCA Victor was in turn absorbed by UMJ.

Acts that Aono has promoted in Japan include popular acts such as Eminem, Nirvana and the Black Eyed Peas, as well as jazz acts like Dave Grusin, Chick Corea and Diana Krall.