Yasumasa Kumagai: J-Straight Ahead
The jazz style of pianist/composer Yasumasa Kumagai has always been pinned to the leading edge of modern J Jazz built...
Index
Albums, musicians, and articles discussed on Jazz of Japan
Yasumasa Kumagai & J-Jazz Homies: Last Resort
The latest album from J Jazz pianist Yasumasa Kumagai is titled Last Resort, released in 2020 on his own independent...
Kohsuke Mine Quintet: Major to Minor
Kohsuke Mine Quintet’s 1993 album Major to Minor is full of life, a straight-ahead jazz outing built upon solid group...
Hiroyuki Yamaguchi Quintet: Mowna
Mowna is a 2024 album from bassist and composer Hiroyuki Yamaguchi. For this release, Yamaguchi wrote and arranged all nine...
Chihiro Yamanaka: Abyss
Abyss is a 2007 studio album from pianist Chihiro Yamanaka, recorded with bandmates Vicente Archer on bass and Kendrick Scott...
Yasumasa Kumagai & Ryu Kawamura: Ol’ School Jazz
In the style of classic apostrophe-bearing jazz album titles, pianist Yasumasa Kumagai and bassist Ryu Kawamura offer up Ol’ School...
Mabumi Yamaguchi: Viento
Like Mamoru Ishida’s Afterglow introduced previously, Mabumi Yamaguchi’s Viento is a 2023 jazz release from the Japanese jazz label Days...
Apple Jump
Apple Jump jazz club, located near Ikebukuro station in Tokyo, Japan
Wataru Hamasaki Meets Akane Matsumoto Trio: Big Catch
“Swing & Blues” is the name of the game with Big Catch’s jazz quartet album from 2013. Undoubtedly, the concept...
Hiro Kimura Quintet: Folds
The full title of this 2023 album sets the stage: “Folds - Live at 100Ban Hall by the Hiro Kimura...
Toru Takahashi: Tokyo Groovin’ High!
Drummer Toru Takahashi’s debut album is Tokyo Groovin’ High, a 2021 release that presents addictive jazz bebop favorites performed by...
Hikari Ichihara Group: Unity
Unity is the sixth album from trumpeter Hikari Ichihara and the second album from the Hikari Ichihara Group band name,...
Ayumi Koketsu: Art
Alto saxophonist Ayumi Koketsu released a sophisticated tribute to Art Pepper on her album Art from 2016. With slick bop...
Hara Dairiki Trio: You’ve Changed
The Hara Dairiki Trio creates a jubilant atmosphere on You’ve Changed, playing choice jazz standards from the bebop and straight-ahead...
Daiki Yasukagawa New Trio: The Three Roses
Renowned jazz bassist Daiki Yasukagawa is actively engaged in a variety of fascinating projects within the Japanese jazz scene. One...
Megumi Yonezawa / Masa Kamaguchi / Ken Kobayashi: Boundary
Boundary is the 2018 release from the trio of pianist Megumi Yonezawa, bassist Masa Kamaguchi, and drummer Ken Kobayashi. This...
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...
Koichi Hirata: Introducing Koichi Hirata
Introducing Koichi Hirata is the 2024 debut release from jazz guitarist Koichi Hirata. Hirata is a young, up-and-coming player who...
Mamoru Ishida: Afterglow
Afterglow is the latest recording from pianist Mamoru Ishida, released in 2023 and recorded in 2022 with his trio featuring...
Kaito Nakamura: Invisible Diary
Invisible Diary, released in March 2025, is the latest release from drummer Kaito Nakamura. On this sixty-three minute, nine-track album,...
Setagaya Trio: Progress
Pianist Yusei Takahashi, bassist Keigo Iwami, and drummer Sota Kira are the three co-leaders of Setagaya Trio, a contemporary jazz...
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...
What's J Jazz?
What’s J Jazz? J Jazz, or Japanese Jazz, is a classification label found in sections of some record and CD...
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...
Kaori Vibes Quartet: Starry Nights
Starry Nights is the latest album from the Kaori Vibes Quartet. This is leader Kaori Nakajima’s third album with her...
Mayuko Katakura: The Duality of My Soul
I’m always excited to get my hands and ears on a new release from pianist Mayuko Katakura. Her latest trio...
Mamoru Ishida: Ishida Mamoru 4 feat. Mike Rivett
Pianist Mamoru Ishida’s second album is titled /Ishida Mamoru 4 feat. Mike Rivett /and was released in 2011. With nine...
Harumi Nomoto: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
The 2023 release I’ll Be Home for Christmas is a pleasant holiday collection of seasonal music from Japanese pianist Harumi...
Alfie
Alfie jazz club, located near Roppongi station in Tokyo, Japan