Fumio Karashima: Great Time
Jazz of Japan #351 — Jazz pianist Fumio Karashima’s 2006 album Great Time scratches the itch for a straight ahead...
Ten Top 10s for Live Jazz in Tokyo
“I’m going to be in Tokyo for a few days and want to catch some live jazz… where should I go? Let me know the best places for live jazz…” “Sure! Here are the...
Mabumi Yamaguchi: Viento
Mabumi Yamaguchi: Viento Jazz of Japan #271 • Oct 18, 2024 • Brian McCrory Like Mamoru Ishida’s Afterglow introduced previously, Mabumi Yamaguchi’s Viento is...
Yasumasa Kumagai & Ryu Kawamura: Ol’ School Jazz
Yasumasa Kumagai & Ryu Kawamura: Ol’ School Jazz Jazz of Japan #260 • Aug 30, 2024 • Brian McCrory In the style of classic apostrophe-bearing jazz album...
Yasumasa Kumagai & J-Jazz Homies: Last Resort
Jazz of Japan #206 — The latest album from J Jazz pianist Yasumasa Kumagai is titled Last Resort, released in...
Yasumasa Kumagai: Pray
Yasumasa Kumagai: Pray Jazz of Japan #152 • Sep 1, 2022 • Brian McCrory Yasumasa Kumagai’s Pray (2010) is a stylishly straight ahead affair, a cool and...
Hikari Ichihara Group: Move On
Hikari Ichihara Group: Move On Jazz of Japan #75 • May 16, 2019 • Brian McCrory Hikari Ichihara’s fifth album Move On features the trumpeter’s quintet...
Yasumasa Kumagai: I Need a Change, Too
Yasumasa Kumagai: I Need a Change, Too Jazz of Japan #53 • Aug 31, 2018 (rev. Mar 23, 2024) • Brian McCrory Yasumasa Kumagai’s debut album from 2008, I Need...
Yasumasa Kumagai: J-Straight Ahead
Yasumasa Kumagai: J-Straight Ahead Jazz of Japan #7 • Jan 30, 2018 (rev. Sep 20, 2025) • Brian McCrory The jazz style of pianist/composer Yasumasa Kumagai...