Setagaya Trio: Progress
Jazz of Japan #309 — Pianist Yusei Takahashi, bassist Keigo Iwami, and drummer Sota Kira are the three co-leaders of...
Takuji Yamada: Lite Blue
Jazz of Japan #18 — Takuji Yamada is a professional jazz musician who takes care with his jazz. His first...
Ten Top 10s for Live Jazz in Tokyo
Jazz of Japan #280 (Premium) — “I’m going to be in Tokyo for a few days and want to catch some live jazz… where should I...
Yasumasa Kumagai: I Need a Change, Too
Jazz of Japan #53 — Yasumasa Kumagai’s debut album from 2008, I Need a Change, Too, establishes his J Jazz...
Miki Hayama Trio: Wide Angle
Jazz of Japan #41 — Pianist Miki Hayama creates superb jazz on Wide Angle, exploring powerful, edge-of-your-seat quickness with modern...
About Jazz of Japan
Introducing modern-day jazz of Japan through albums, musicians, and clubs
Mamoru Ishida: Afterglow
Jazz of Japan #269 — Afterglow is the latest recording from pianist Mamoru Ishida, released in 2023 and recorded in...
Mayuko Katakura: The Duality of My Soul
Jazz of Japan #313 — I’m always excited to get my hands and ears on a new release from pianist...
Junichiro Ohkuchi Trio: Invisible
Jazz of Japan #16 — Accomplished pianist Junichiro Ohkuchi leads a trio of solid veterans in the straight-ahead jazz tradition...
Daiki Yasukagawa New Trio: The Three Roses
Jazz of Japan #287 — Renowned jazz bassist Daiki Yasukagawa is actively engaged in a variety of fascinating projects within...
Taihei Asakawa Trio: Touch of Winter
Jazz of Japan #57 — Taihei Asakawa’s beautiful Touch of Winter from 2013 is a contemplative jazz album rooted in...
Kaori Vibes Quartet: Cross Point
Jazz of Japan #34 — Vibist Kaori Nakajima returns with her second album Cross Point featuring KVQ: Kaori Vibes Quartet...
What's J Jazz?
Jazz of Japan #217 (Premium) — What’s J Jazz? J Jazz, or Japanese Jazz, is a classification label found in sections...
Fumio Karashima Trio: It’s Just Beginning
Jazz of Japan #100 — Veteran jazz pianist Fumio Karashima was well-known in Japan for his quick, hard bop style...
Harumi Nomoto Trio: Anitya
Jazz of Japan #347 — Anitya is pianist Harumi Nomoto’s fourth trio record, released in 2025. It’s been a decade-plus...
Hideaki Hori: Melodies for Night & Day
Jazz of Japan #216 — As a companion piece to the previous article on Hideaki Hori’s Horizon, this follow-up post...
Bungalow: Unseen Scenes
Jazz of Japan #149 — Like explorers on a caravan, Bungalow produces imaginative music on their third album Unseen Scenes...
Harumi Nomoto Trio: Virgo
Jazz of Japan #73 — Pianist Harumi Nomoto’s 2014 release Virgo is a constellation of grooves, moods, and textures, boldly...
Mayuko Katakura: Faith
Jazz of Japan #17 — Faith is the second album from Mayuko Katakura, an amazing jazz pianist with an impeccable...
Motoi Kanamori: The Live
Jazz of Japan #288 — Bassist Motoi Kanamori released his third album The Live in 2023. This is a double...