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

JubileeDoi Ichirō Torio

Arabama Jubilee ～ Washboard

This is a signature piece by Ichiro Doi, a jazz pianist from Osaka.

While his style is rooted in the modern jazz tradition exemplified by artists like Bill Evans, he gained popularity by synthesizing a wide range of musical influences, including the use of synthesizers.

This track is also regarded as a classic in Japanese jazz.

Ai-No-TabiSleep Walker

Sleep Walker – Ai-No-Tabi

Here is “Ai-No-Tabi” from Sleep Walker’s 2006 album The Voyage.

It’s a star-studded record featuring saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, known as a successor to John Coltrane, Bembe Segue, the queen of vocals in the club jazz and broken beat scenes, and Japanese-Swedish songstress Yukimi Nagano.

Early SummerFukui Ryo

Early Summer

This is a signature work by pianist Ryo Fukui.

The first half features a calm, mellow piano that sets a soothing mood, while the latter half lets you experience the exhilaration of rapid-fire playing.

It’s a refined piano piece that Japan can be proud of—an album-wide masterpiece worthy of its acclaim.

threadItō Daisuke

Ito by Daisuke Ito – New Album “FORWARD”

This is “Ito,” sung by jazz vocalist Daisuke Ito.

It’s a classic that many artists cover.

You often hear it in a variety of settings, such as wedding scenes.

I once heard Daisuke Ito live; he was a tall, slender, and refreshingly pleasant young man.

contrailshijukara

Hikōkigumo (Contrail) cover by Shijūkara

This is “Hikōkigumo” by Shijukara, a jazz duo formed by bassist Tetsushi Kishi and vocalist Naoko Takahashi, who are husband and wife.

Takahashi’s soaring high notes are a pleasure to hear.

It looks like their first album is finished, so if you’re interested, be sure to check it out!

Circle/LineKikuchi Masabumi

Masabumi Kikuchi-Circle/Line

Masabumi “Poo” Kikuchi, the jazz pianist–keyboardist known by his nickname “Poo,” was active not only in Japan but on the world stage.

A central figure in Japanese jazz and indispensable to any history of Wa-Jazz, Kikuchi released Susto in 1981—a truly global album recorded at a New York studio in November 1980 and mixed at a Tokyo studio the following January.

A few years earlier, around 1978, Kikuchi had been repeatedly rehearsing and recording with Miles Davis’s electric-period group, so it’s beyond doubt that this experience is deeply reflected here.

With his close ally Terumasa Hino joined by heavyweight international players like Steve Grossman, Billy “Spaceman” Patterson, and Aïyb Dieng, the album unleashes a ferocious storm of exotic grooves that remains, in a word, electrifying even in the 2020s.

Its sound, embracing and crossing multiple genres, has earned support from the club generation as well, and its cutting-edge quality seems less to fade with time than to reveal its true worth.

And with accessible tracks like Gumbo—a relaxed reggae-funk favorite also used in commercials—there’s no need to overthink it: just throw your whole body into the overwhelming vortex of groove this album delivers!

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Summer TimeYasuda Minami

Summer Time

This is a masterpiece by Minami Yasuda, who has emerged as an interpreter of pure jazz.

Starting with a low-tempo, low-tension intro, the track features swinging vocals that resonate, creating an atmosphere steeped in deep, soulful “blackness.” The balance of the horn and string arrangements is well crafted, making it a thoroughly compelling jazz release.