“Smokin’, Drinkin’, Never Thinkin’” is the motto at Jazz Spot Intro, a classic for many years in the underground Tokyo jazz scene. This is the quintessential jazz bar for jazz musicians of all stripes to gather to jam together, hone their craft, and just have a good time surrounded by jazz music and history. It sometimes seems that all Japanese jazz musicians have woodshedded here at some point, or at least know about and honor this club. ...

Yuichiro Aratake continues to express his compassionate vision with Music Make Us One, a live concert recorded in 2010 and released in a CD/DVD package. Through six songs, the 40-minute album features his expanded piano trio spotlighting harmonica, vocals, and an eight-member string section. Two of the six songs are instrument-based tracks that feature Aratake’s expressive playing that supports bluesy harmonica playing together and warm string arrangements. Vocalist Ryutaro Makino joins on the other four songs, including Aratake’s “Family” and “Say We Love”. The violins, violas, and cellos in the string section add a classy texture to much of the album and, together with the song selection and arrangements, shifts the music into orchestral pop territory. The recorded live sound also captures the expansive feeling of a large stage and concert hall filled with an audience of fans. ...

Donfan (Don Juan) is a relaxing and casual jazz bar with a family feel and neighborhood friendliness. Small dishes are served and the usual assortment of beer and liquor is available. Shows usually start a little later than normal (8:30 pm) and may last until late at night. The musicians are top-notch and depending on the performers you may be amazed at the high quality and professionalism of the musicianship. The main owner and bartender, Shinobu-san, is ever friendly and may sit with customers between sets and chat happily about anything. A feeling of fun and anything-can-happen spontaneity abounds here. Holidays are festive, and Halloween is also a fun time to visit—simple costumes, hats, and masks, may be provided to the band and audience members to enliven the atmosphere. ...

Vibrant is a 2020 solo piano recording from Hitomi Nishiyama, her second solo album after 2013’s Crossing and her 20th overall release. At the time of this recording, her heavy metal project NHORHM had recently finished, and on this album she chose to face the piano quietly and alone, playing nine of her original compositions. Providing an interesting contrast to the title, the monochrome package design is plain and minimalistic, listing the tracks and credits without any artwork or photos. The disc itself, printed in calming pink, begins to turn up the vibrancy level as you get closer to the recorded music. ...

Soultrane is a classic jazz bar conveniently located near the famous grand shrine in Asakusa. This club is a funky hideaway den located on the second floor in a famous neighborhood filled with popular shrines and old-fashioned buildings. The room itself is filled with various unmatched chairs and side tables surrounding a large table in the center creating the feel of a slapdash but comfortable dining room. A nicely stocked bar with a wrap-around counter sports great views out the picture windows which fill up one wall of the room. ...

The full title of this 2023 album sets the stage: “/Folds - Live at 100Ban Hall/ by the Hiro Kimura Quintet featuring Kazuhiko Takeda”. Folds is a live recording of Kimura’s quintet playing in Kobe in 2022. Drummer Kimura leads the group featuring special guest Kazuhiko Takeda, whose melodic, soulful jazz guitar is exquisitely framed by the relatively younger musicians. Regardless of age, the unit displays talent, harmonious energy, and reverence for the music they create together. ...

Awareness is the inspiring title of trombonist Mariko Maeda’s debut album of newly-recorded music that her jazz quartet is currently taking on tour in Japan. This eagerly-awaited debut album introduces listeners to Maeda’s style and influences through her artful playing and compositions. Fittingly, the cover art sets the mood with a beautiful painting that shows the young musician surrounded by symbols that tempt with possible clues and associations to the ten musical tracks. ...

Note: Body & Soul has announced that they will be closing permanently after September, 2026. A 52-year history is coming to an end, so swing by while you still can! Figure 1: Stage area at the remodeled and new location of Body & Soul in April 2024 A veritable stalwart in the Tokyo jazz club scene, Body & Soul is a true jazz listening room with a respected reputation. Known for being one of the oldest and most prestigious jazz clubs in Japan, this spot checks all the boxes for both customers and jazz musicians. ...

JZ Brat is a great Tokyo jazz bar connected to the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, a luxury hotel in Shibuya. This hotel also features an upscale bar on an upper floor with an amazing view through wall-to-wall glass windows behind the bar, a great respite to stop by before or after a live show at JZ Brat. Similarly, the bar atmosphere is also resplendent, filled with nice tables and an attractive bar seating area towards the back. Large video screens capture the on-stage live performance and provide a good view of the stage from all seats. ...