Masato Honda - Illusion (2000) [Hi-Res]

Masato Honda is a Japanese saxophone player, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. Born in Nakamura City, Kochi Prefecture (now Shimanto City), he graduated from Kunitachi College of Music. He is most well known for being a member of the band T-Square and appearing on Cowboy Bebop's soundtrack with The Seatbelts.

Masato Honda started playing the saxophone in the 3rd grade under the influence of his father, after trying out both the flute and clarinet. During his high school years at the Kochi Prefectural Nakamura High School he participated in a pop band where he played guitar and sang. Afterwards, he went to Kunitachi College of Music, where he studied classical saxophone until he won the 14th Yamano Big Band Jazz Contest in 1983.

Afterwards, he turned his focus to jazz and fusion styles. In 1985, he graduated from Kunitachi College of Music at the top of his class and joined Nobuo Hara's Sharps and Flats. Afterwards, he worked as a session musician, notably working with Toshiki Kadomatsu, Hiroshi Sato, and the Katsumi Horii Project, and formed the group WITNESS with Masaharu Ishikawa and Jun Kajiwara.