Yasumasa Kumagai: J-Straight Ahead
Jazz of Japan #7 — The jazz style of pianistcomposer Yasumasa Kumagai has always been pinned to the leading edge...
Jazz of Japan Indexes
Albums, musicians, articles, and audio mixes
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...
Kohsuke Mine Quintet: Major to Minor
Jazz of Japan #121 — Kohsuke Mine Quintet’s 1993 album Major to Minor is full of life, a straight-ahead jazz...
Wataru Hamasaki Meets Akane Matsumoto Trio: Big Catch
Jazz of Japan #50 — “Swing & Blues” is the name of the game with Big Catch’s jazz quartet album...
Chihiro Yamanaka: Abyss
Jazz of Japan #324 — Abyss is a 2007 studio album from pianist Chihiro Yamanaka, recorded with bandmates Vicente Archer...
Hiro Kimura Quintet: Folds
Jazz of Japan #179 — The full title of this 2023 album sets the stage: “Folds - Live at 100Ban...
Apple Jump
Jazz of Japan #264 (Premium) — Apple Jump jazz club, located near Ikebukuro station in Tokyo, Japan
Mabumi Yamaguchi: Viento
Jazz of Japan #271 — Like Mamoru Ishida’s Afterglow introduced previously, Mabumi Yamaguchi’s Viento is a 2023 jazz release from...
Yasumasa Kumagai & Ryu Kawamura: Ol’ School Jazz
Jazz of Japan #260 — In the style of classic apostrophe-bearing jazz album titles, pianist Yasumasa Kumagai and bassist Ryu...
Hiroyuki Yamaguchi Quintet: Mowna
Jazz of Japan #329 — Mowna is a 2024 album from bassist and composer Hiroyuki Yamaguchi. For this release, Yamaguchi...
Toru Takahashi: Tokyo Groovin’ High!
Jazz of Japan #341 — Drummer Toru Takahashi’s debut album is Tokyo Groovin’ High, a 2021 release that presents addictive...
Hikari Ichihara Group: Unity
Jazz of Japan #297 — Unity is the sixth album from trumpeter Hikari Ichihara and the second album from the...
Ayumi Koketsu: Art
Jazz of Japan #3 — Alto saxophonist Ayumi Koketsu released a sophisticated tribute to Art Pepper on her album Art...
Hara Dairiki Trio: You’ve Changed
Jazz of Japan #39 — The Hara Dairiki Trio creates a jubilant atmosphere on You’ve Changed, playing choice jazz standards...
Motoi Kanamori: The Live
Jazz of Japan #288 — Bassist Motoi Kanamori released his third album The Live in 2023. This is a double...
Ayumi Koketsu: Struttin’
Jazz of Japan #365 — Struttin’ is saxophone player Ayumi Koketsu’s jazz quartet album released in Japan in 2010. This is her debut album, the...
Mie Joké: Etrenne
Jazz of Japan #84 — Jazz vocalist Mie Joké’s 2018 release Etrenne is a fun and fancy swing jazz outing,...
Alfie
Jazz of Japan #155 (Premium) — Alfie jazz club, located near Roppongi station in Tokyo, Japan
Mase Hiroko Quintet: First Contact
Jazz of Japan #222 — “Hard bop jazz aimed towards the universe” might be a good way to introduce soprano...
Megumi Yonezawa / Masa Kamaguchi / Ken Kobayashi: Boundary
Jazz of Japan #285 — Boundary is the 2018 release from the trio of pianist Megumi Yonezawa, bassist Masa Kamaguchi,...
Mamoru Ishida: Ishida Mamoru 4 feat. Mike Rivett
Jazz of Japan #203 — Pianist Mamoru Ishida’s second album is titled Ishida Mamoru 4 feat. Mike Rivett and was...
Routine Jazz Sextet: Routine Jazz Sextet
Jazz of Japan #91 — Routine Jazz Sextet from 2008 promotes genuine jazz from Tokyo with the flavor of 195060’s...
Kaori Vibes Quartet: Starry Nights
Jazz of Japan #210 — Starry Nights is the latest album from the Kaori Vibes Quartet. This is leader Kaori...
Velvet Sun
Jazz of Japan #289 (Premium) — Velvet Sun jazz club, located near Ogikubo and Asagaya stations in Tokyo, Japan
Fumio Karashima: Great Time
Jazz of Japan #351 — Jazz pianist Fumio Karashima’s 2006 album Great Time scratches the itch for a straight ahead...
Kaito Nakamura: Invisible Diary
Jazz of Japan #304 — Invisible Diary, released in March 2025, is the latest release from drummer Kaito Nakamura. On...
Harumi Nomoto: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Jazz of Japan #343 — The 2023 release I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a pleasant holiday collection of seasonal...
Sohnosuke Imaizumi: Rin
Jazz of Japan #24 — Drummer Sohnosuke Imaizumi lays down impressive foundations with his debut album Rin. Having worked as...
Yasumasa Kumagai: Pray
Jazz of Japan #152 — Yasumasa Kumagai’s Pray (2010) is a stylishly straight ahead affair, a cool and groovy collection...