Makoto Hondo

Japanese saxophonist Makoto Hondo is acclaimed for his deep commitment to expanding the expressive and artistic potential of the baritone saxophone, working closely with contemporary composers and creating his own transcriptions and arrangements.

His debut album “BARITONISM – Russian Cello Works”, featuring sonatas by Rachmaninov and Shostakovich, received the 56th Record Academy Award Japan (Wind and Percussion Division, Record Geijutsu magazine) and was selected as a Specially Recommended Disc. Its sequel, “BARITONISM II” (2019), was also chosen as a Specially Recommended Disc by Record Geijutsu.

After graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts, Hondo moved to France to study at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, where he completed both the saxophone class of Claude Delangle and the chamber music class. During his studies, he also attended the Conservatorium van Amsterdam as an Erasmus exchange student under Arno Bornkamp.

As a soloist, Hondo has won First Prizes at three international competitions — the 7th International Saxophone Competition of Slovenia (2013), the Adolphe Sax International Competition, France (2014), and the 2nd Andorra International Saxophone Competition (2015) — as well as the 1st Prize, Prime Minister’s Award, Special Award, and Audience Award at the 34th Japan Wind and Percussion Competition (2017).

In chamber music, he received Second Prize at the 9th Osaka International Chamber Music Competition (2017).

He has been invited to perform and teach at numerous international festivals and academies in the United States, France, Andorra, Slovenia, and Taiwan, and serves as a jury member for international competitions.

Hondo currently serves as Lecturer at the Tokyo University of the Arts, Tokyo College of Music, and Senzoku Gakuen College of Music.