Masao Akashi

Masao Akashi
明石昌夫
Akashi in 2025
Background information
Also known asMax Brightstone
Born(1957-03-25)March 25, 1957
Japan
DiedMay 19, 2025(2025-05-19) (aged 68)
Genres
Occupations
  • Music arranger
  • producer
  • bassist
Years active1988–1998
LabelB-Gram
Formerly of

Masao Akashi (明石昌夫, Akashi Masao; March 25, 1957 – May 19, 2025) was a Japanese music arranger in distributors Being Inc., mainly in their label B-Gram Records.

In 1988, he debuted as arranger in debut single Dakara Sono Te wo Hanashite by Japanese hard-rock band B'z. By 1998, his arrangement work had been involved with many Being artists including Manish, Wands and Zard.

Although Akashi was no longer working for Being Inc., he sometimes provided producing jobs for various artists such as Naomi Tamura, Maria, Color Bottle and Sonoda Band.

Akashi died on May 19, 2025, at the age of 68.