Recommendation of Wa-Jazz: A Masterpiece of Japanese Jazz—One Must-Listen Album

Alone, Alone, and AloneHino Terumasa

Terumasa Hino – Alone, Alone, and Alone (Full Album)

From Terumasa Hino’s album “Alone, Alone and Alone,” this is the track “Alone, Alone and Alone” by the world-renowned Japanese jazz trumpeter.

The pianist is Yuji Ohno, famous for the theme of Lupin the Third.

It’s a luxurious album that lets you hear performances by two great masters on a single record.

Apple OiwakeItō Kimiko

Ringo Oiwake by Kimiko Itoh, 2013-12-27 @ Hakuju Hall

Apple Oiwake, the classic by Hibari Misora, performed by jazz vocal legend Kimiko Itoh.

Her delivery in Japanese draws you in, with every word carrying weight.

The backing band features an all-star lineup as well.

Itoh has been energetically championing Japanese music in jazz—releasing a Tsugaru-dialect jazz album and a cover album of Hibari Misora’s songs.

City LightsIchikawa Ai

City Lights – Ai Ichikawa (vo), Kiyoshi Takeshita (p), Mirai Hirose (tp)

The vocalist Ai Ichikawa performs the Showa-era classic “Machino Akari,” made a hit by Masahiro Sakai.

She’s supported by Kansai’s leading pianist Kiyoshi Takeshita and trumpeter Mirai Hirose, and her comfortable, relaxed singing presence is striking.

A long yellow roadAkiyoshi Toshiko

A long yellow road

Currently residing in New York, Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in 1929 and is celebrated as a jazz pianist Japan can proudly present to the world, as well as a renowned big band leader.

It’s also well known that her daughter is the musician Monday Michiru.

With 14 Grammy nominations, the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1997, and in 1999 becoming the first Japanese inductee into the Jazz Hall of Fame, her achievements are far too numerous to be encapsulated in a short paragraph.

This work, Yellow Is the Color of Longing: Toshiko Akiyoshi Recital, features recordings from February 1961 by Akiyoshi—who had been the first Japanese jazz musician to study abroad—upon her triumphant return to Japan that year, performed in a trio format.

At the time it was released only as an Asahi Sonorama flexi disc, and though it was later issued on vinyl and CD, it remained out of print for years—truly a “phantom recording.” Beginning with the title track Yellow Is the Color of Longing, said to be the piece Akiyoshi herself is most attached to, the selection—original compositions, folk songs, and spirituals—showcases Akiyoshi’s distinctive personality and taste, making this a remarkable gem.

It is also an extremely valuable recording for understanding the history of Japanese jazz.

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JiLL’s blueJiLL-Decoy association

[OFFICIAL] JiLL’s blue / JiLL-Decoy association (Jilldeco)

They’re a jazz unit commonly known as Jil Deco, consisting of vocals, guitar, and drums.

It’s a band that plays a stylish, sophisticated sound.

It seems 2017 marked their 15th anniversary.

They’re actively performing at various live venues across Japan.