Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: A Masterpiece of Japanese Jazz—One Must-Listen Album
If you’re not particularly interested in jazz as a genre, you might just think of it as music from abroad.
In fact, here in Japan, we’ve produced many world-class players, and countless remarkable classic albums have been released.
This time, we’re presenting a selection of essential “Wa-Jazz” masterpieces by Japanese musicians.
While focusing on timeless classics from the ’60s and ’70s, the lineup also turns its attention to works released in the ’90s and 2000s.
Please enjoy jazz music with a distinctly Japanese flavor—something a little different from overseas jazz!
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Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: Masterpieces of Japanese Jazz – One Must-Listen Pick (1–10)
How Long Has This Been Goin’ OnOnishi Junko
Junko Onishi, known as one of Japan’s leading jazz pianists, began playing piano at the age of four.
After graduating at the top of her class from Berklee College of Music, she launched an international career based in New York.
This album, “Junko Onishi at the Village Vanguard,” is a live recording of her historic 1994 performance at New York’s legendary jazz club, the Village Vanguard.
Her groundbreaking achievement as the first Japanese jazz musician to successfully lead a performance at the club earned numerous honors, including the Swing Journal Jazz Disc Award Silver Prize and the magazine’s Readers’ Poll “Album of the Year.” At just 27, she was highly acclaimed in the American jazz scene as well, performing with members of the Wynton Marsalis group.
Seamlessly balancing tradition and innovation, this album is a must-listen for all music fans eager to experience the appeal of Japanese jazz.
Rising SonKuroda Takuya
Takuya Kuroda is a cutting-edge trumpeter based in Brooklyn, New York.
While rooted in jazz, he’s known for an innovative sound that fuses a wide range of genres, including soul, funk, and Afrobeat.
His 2014 Blue Note Records release, Rising Son, is a landmark album as he became the first Japanese artist to issue a leader album on the label.
Produced by José James, the record features eight tracks that reflect the influence of ’70s jazz-funk and Afrobeat, while showcasing contemporary beats and sophisticated arrangements.
Kuroda’s trumpet—warm in tone and rich in expression—locks in with top-tier musicians like Kris Bowers and Solomon Dorsey to create a superb groove, making this a perfect pick for anyone who wants to enjoy music beyond genre boundaries.
HEAD ROCKInagaki Jirō to Souru Media
Formed in 1969 by world-renowned jazz saxophonist and producer Jiro Inagaki, Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media is a legendary band known as a pioneer of jazz-rock.
Released by Nippon Columbia on December 10, 1970, Head Rock is a masterpiece that has continued to be cherished by many fans as a landmark of jazz-rock.
Featuring some of Japan’s foremost players—such as Tetsuo Fushimi on trumpet, Ryo Kawasaki on guitar, and Masaru Imada on organ—the album delivers overwhelming groove and innovative sound.
It truly stands as an ambitious work that demonstrated new possibilities beyond genre boundaries.
Incorporating refined elements of funk, rock, and soul, its sound is a must for anyone seeking a new shape of jazz—and, indeed, for all music lovers who appreciate groovy music.
Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: One Outstanding Japanese Jazz Album (Numbers 11–20)
FIRST NOTEUehara Hiromi
Born in 1979, Hiromi Uehara is a world-renowned jazz pianist who began playing piano at age six and studied jazz at Berklee College of Music.
She has frequently performed with globally acclaimed jazz musicians such as Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke, and is known for her exceptional technique and genre-defying musicality.
Released in 2023, the BLUE GIANT Original Soundtrack is an ambitious 29-track album produced for the anime film of the same name.
Featuring top-tier musicians who represent the Japanese jazz scene, including Tomoaki Baba and Shun Ishiwaka, the album vividly expresses the film’s world through music.
Interweaving a wide range of styles—from modal jazz and jazz rock to Latin jazz—the record has been highly praised, breaking domestic jazz album streaming records on Apple Music.
It stands as a must-hear masterpiece that suggests new possibilities for jazz.
Witch doctorInomata Takeshi & Hizu Furenzu
Centered around drummer Takeshi Inomata, who played a vital role in Japan’s jazz scene, “Takeshi Inomata & His Friends” features top Japanese jazz musicians.
Their sophisticated arrangements and outstanding performance skills have earned high praise for their innovative musicality.
Released in the mid-1970s, Get Happy is an ambitious work that weaves elements of bebop and hard bop around Inomata’s dynamic drumming.
From standards to Inomata’s own originals, the album shines with a wide expressive range—from delicate brushwork to powerful stick playing.
Boasting high-quality sound enabled by the latest recording technology of its time and infused with a passion to bring Japanese jazz to the world, this is a recording I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone seeking jazz’s free expression and refined musicality.
Dream EyesMine Kosuke Gojūsōdan
MINE is the landmark debut album released in 1970 by the Kosuke Mine Quintet, led by Kosuke Mine, one of Japan’s foremost alto saxophonists.
As the very first release on the Three Blind Mice (TBM) label, it stands as a true milestone in the history of Japanese jazz.
Blending the passionate drive of modern and free jazz with a distinctly Japanese sensibility, the album’s superb sound captivated jazz fans of the time.
Following its release, Mine drew major attention as a rising star in the jazz world, placing second—after Sadao Watanabe—in Swing Journal’s readers’ poll for the alto saxophone category.
With its bold sonic vision and compelling performances, this is a must-hear for anyone seeking fresh vitality within the jazz tradition.
Something’s ComingOno Shunzo
Shunzo Ohno is a trumpet player who represents Japan’s jazz scene.
After moving to the United States in 1974, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and began gaining international recognition.
His 1975 album “Something’s Coming,” released on East Wind, is an ambitious work that fuses jazz-funk and fusion.
Featuring top-tier musicians such as Roy Haynes, Don Pate, and Masabumi “Poo” Kikuchi, the album contains four tracks that captivate with complex rhythms and innovative arrangements.
You can clearly feel Ohno’s talent—later recognized with a Grammy nomination—on full display throughout this record.
It’s a highly recommended album for those looking to explore new possibilities in jazz and to experience the essence of Japanese jazz.