Yasumasa Kumagai: J-Straight Ahead

Sep 19, 2025

The jazz style of pianist/composer Yasumasa Kumagai has always been pinned to the leading edge of modern J Jazz built on a foundation of straight-ahead jazz standards and jams. With a strong influence from jazz pianist Robert Glasper, a one-time teacher of Kumagai, this pianist flows naturally with his fearless compositions and modern angles. Kumagai’s music is no-nonsense jazz rooted in tradition amidst elements of groovy gospel music, Latin flavors, and funky hip-hop — all with a fashionable streetwise attitude and a good-natured sense of humor.

J-Straight Ahead was released in 2015 and is Kumagai’s fourth album release as a leader. It is preceded by his albums I Need a Change, Too (2008), Ol’ School Jazz (2009), and Yasumasa Kumagai: Pray (2010) and followed by Last Resort (2020).

As always, Kumagai’s energetic and exciting piano jazz trio is on display, where his great compositions and an at-times edgy attitude are the surfaces covering a sensitive and deep sense of musicality. Like a engrossing conversation, Kumagai’s piano solos often start simple and build with fiery drama while bassist Yosuke Inoue and drummer Masahiko Osaka stir up some boiling rhythms.

Aside from jazz recording, teaching, and keeping an active performance schedule, Kumagai has also been productive online with his newsletter, blog, and his YouTube channel related to J Jazz with interviews, jazz piano technique lessons, and live performance videos. Recently, he’s even started his JAZZY BEAR product line of branded goods like designed hats and shirts. (The name Kumagai starts with the kanji for bear, 熊 kuma.) He released J-Straight Ahead on his label of the same name.

Obi Notes

The first album release in five years! The more evolved sound of Kumagai explodes with a powerful rhythm section!

Yasumasa Kumagai / J-Straight Ahead

Born in 1979 in Mito, Ibaraki. He began playing piano at three years old and started his self-study of jazz piano during middle school. Moved to the US in 1998, and entered Berklee College of Music. Graduated in 2000 and moved to New York. Studied under Robert Glasper. He returned to Japan in 2003 and is currently active throughout the country with a base of Tokyo. His previous releases include the leader albums I Need A Change,Too, Ol' School Jazz’, and Pray. In 2015 he released his long-awaited work on his own JAZZY BEAR label.