Chihiro Yamanaka: Abyss
Abyss is a 2007 studio album from pianist Chihiro Yamanaka, recorded with bandmates Vicente Archer on bass and Kendrick Scott...
Hideaki Hori: Melodies for Night & Day
As a companion piece to the previous article on Hideaki Hori’s Horizon, this follow-up post introduces the pianist’s recent solo...
Mikiko Nagatake: Solo
In welcome succession for eager fans, pianist Mikiko Nagatake released a batch of albums for the young jazz label Owl...
Fumie Chiba: Rougequeue
Rougequeue is a 2015 mini-album from pianist Fumie Chiba that features five of her original songs, three with jazz combos...
Makiyo Sakai: Silver Painting
For many people, classical music can be very relaxing, a soothing balm at certain times, or in uncertain times. Some...
Seiji Endo: Circle for Peace
Seiji Endo, a poet at the piano, plays his original compositions for solo piano on his second solo album Circle...
Akane Matsumoto: Little Girl Blue
Akane Matsumoto’s solo piano album Little Girl Blue from 2022 is full of good moods and good vibes, definitely different...
Seiji Endo: Sakura Meditation
Sakura Meditation from pianist Seiji Endo is a gorgeous collection of evocative solo piano pieces. Through the ten tracks, Endo...
Natural
Natural music salon, located near Mitaka station in Tokyo, Japan
Taeko Kurita: Ko-tsu-ko-tsu
Taeko Kurita’s Ko-tsu-ko-tsu is a solo piano album from 2012 featuring eight of her original songs. In addition to being...
Mase Hiroko Quintet: First Contact
“Hard bop jazz aimed towards the universe” might be a good way to introduce soprano saxophonist Hiroko Mase’s debut album...
Yuichiro Aratake: The Light Flows In
Yuichiro Aratake’s The Light Flows In is a solo piano collection which sets a calm, relaxing mood, offering peace through...
Mariko Maeda: Awareness
Awareness is the inspiring title of trombonist Mariko Maeda’s debut album of newly-recorded music that her jazz quartet is currently...
Fumie Chiba: Beautiful Days
On her fourth and latest album Beautiful Days (2017), pianist Fumie Chiba records eleven new compositions with a jazz sextet,...
Hiroyuki Yamaguchi Quintet: Mowna
Mowna is a 2024 album from bassist and composer Hiroyuki Yamaguchi. For this release, Yamaguchi wrote and arranged all nine...
Hitomi Nishiyama: Vibrant
Vibrant is a 2020 solo piano recording from Hitomi Nishiyama, her second solo album after 2013’s Crossing and her 20th...
Yukari Inoue: Sakura
Pianist Yukari Inoue’s Sakura from 2016 blooms with colorful variety as she jumps across genres as brightly as she hops...
Fumie Chiba Trio: Echoes
Echoes is the title of the second album from the Fumie Chiba Trio, made up of pianist and composer Fumie...
Shikou Ito Trio Syncretia: Kakusareta Guwa
Kakusareta Guwa is a 2025 release from pianist Shikou Ito’s Trio Syncretia. A translation of the Japanese title, 隠された寓話, is...
Ken’ichiro Shinzawa: Piano Works
Ideal for peaceful, calming piano, Ken’ichiro Shinzawa’s Piano Works features seven original compositions with a sweet purity in the musical...
Ami Fukui Trio: MCY
It was a surprise when Ami Fukui released even more new songs and arrangements with her trio on her release...
Seiji Endo: Piano Pieces Collection II
Piano Pieces Collection II is pianist Seiji Endo’s follow-up to his 2021 release Piano Pieces Collection. Continuing in the same...
Seiji Endo: Piano Pieces Collection
Piano Pieces Collection is a 2021 album from pianist and composer Seiji Endo. For this album, Endo plays 19 solo...
Akihiro Yoshimoto Quartet: Moving Color
Moving Color is the second album from saxophonist Akihiro Yoshimoto and his quartet. With eight original songs drawn from his...
About Jazz of Japan
Introducing modern-day jazz of Japan through albums, musicians, and clubs
Koichi Sato: Embryo
Koichi Sato’s two-disc album Embryo is another remarkable showcase for the talented composer/arranger/pianist. Unfolding the gift-like box presents two CDs...
Harumi Nomoto Trio: Belinda
Among the modern J-Jazz piano trio mainstays in the collection, Harumi Nomoto Trio’s Belinda is a favorite album to return...
Sayaka Kishi: Featuring Te
Featuring Te, a 2014 release from pianist Sayaka Kishi, is a fun and bright collection of original solo piano tunes...
Yuka Yanagihara Trio: Inner Views
Pianist Yuka Yanagihara’s second piano trio album is Inner Views from 2019, where she plays eight of her original songs...
Yuya Wakai: Images
Joyful notes flow effortlessly from pianist Yuya Wakai as he confidently opens his solo piano album Images. His catchy exuberance...