Motohiko “Toko” Hino (January 3, 1946 – May 13, 1999) was a Japanese jazz and fusion drummer born in Tokyo. Taught tap dancing as a child by his father, Hino began playing drums at age ten and turned professional at 17, performing with Hiroshi Watanabe and the Tokyo Union Orchestra. In the mid-1970s, Swing Journal repeatedly voted Hino the best jazz drummer in Japan. He gained prominence collaborating with his brother, cornetist Terumasa Hino, and accompanied Helen Merrill in the Gary Peacock Trio. After moving to New York City in 1978, Hino worked with Joe Henderson, JoAnne Brackeen, and Hugh Masekela. His solo discography includes First Album (1971), Sailing Stone (1992), and It's There (1993), featuring artists like John Scofield and Dave Liebman. Hino’s drumming style was influenced by Tony Williams and Elvin Jones. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1999.
