Recommended Japanese jazz bands — from classic legends to rising young groups
Jazz has a wide range of subgenres—from so-called modern jazz to big band, fusion, and even free jazz—so many people may not know where to start listening.
In fact, jazz is a form of music that has influenced every genre, including the rock and pop, hip-hop, post-rock, and electronica you listen to every day.
In this article, we’ll guide you to the gateway of the vast world of jazz by carefully curating a selection of recommended Japanese jazz bands.
From classic, time-honored groups to up-and-coming artists who captivate with genre-defying styles beyond jazz, we’ve chosen a broad lineup.
- [2026] Discover Today's Jazz! A Roundup of the Latest Spotlight and Popular Tracks
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- Famous jazz musicians. Players who have graced the history of jazz.
- Classic swing jazz tunes. Recommended popular songs.
- Japanese jazz singer. A jazz vocalist representing the domestic jazz scene.
- Ranking of Popular Jazz Songs
- Great for karaoke too! Jazz classics you’ll want to sing at least once
- Today's Jazz: Tunes for today! A selection of timeless classics and contemporary jazz
- Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
- [2026] A Collection of Classic Japanese Ballads with a Jazz Flavor
- A roundup of famous jazz standards featured in the hugely popular jazz manga BLUE GIANT
- [Japanese R&B] Notable Classics & New Tracks, Representative Songs of Japanese R&B
- Welcome to the world of "Vocalo Jazz" [VOCAJAZZ]
Recommended Japanese Jazz Bands — From Classic Legends to Young Artists (21–30)
Pentatonic LoveLast Electro
A four-piece formed in the summer of 2018, centered around Kan Sano—keyboardist and renowned music producer—and Ippei Sawamura, the drummer of the cutting-edge jazz-to-hip-hop band SANABAGUN who also supports other artists.
They debuted in 2019 with a 7-inch single and released the EP “closer” in January 2020, quickly drawing attention from sharp-eared music fans.
While their background is, of course, rooted in jazz, they are also musicians steeped in Black music—R&B, hip-hop, and soul—refining influences from club music into a uniquely distilled crossover sound that is both forward-thinking and cool.
If you want to discover the evolved, current form of jazz, we recommend checking out bands like theirs!
NEWDAYSSchoroeder-Headz
Schroeder-Headz is a solo project by keyboardist Shunsuke Watanabe.
Watanabe has been active as a session musician since his time at Kunitachi College of Music, and his work extends beyond keyboard performance to include songwriting and sound production.
With Schroeder-Headz, Watanabe crafts a hybrid sound that, while drawing on the essence of classic jazz and classical music, also channels cutting-edge styles like post-rock and electronica.
At its core, the music always centers on beautiful melodies, striking a superb balance between artistry and approachability.
Their live shows—performed in a trio format and supported by highly advanced musicianship—are absolutely unmissable.
No ChaserCalmera
From the very beginning, the brass melody heightens anticipation and creates a bright, festive mood.
The band name, Calmera, comes from the manga Jarinko Chie, and of course many of the members are from Osaka.
They’re a skilled band that began performing in 2005.
qualiaPRIMITIVE ART ORCHESTRA
“Qualia” begins with a piano intro like pure mountain water flowing, and the piece evokes a sense of healing as if being guided into the beauty of a forest.
Primitive Art Orchestra is a jazz band formed in 2011 that crafts its sound around the motif of a “simple, primitive world of fantasy.”
Night and DayToyama Akiko Torio
Yoshiko Toyama’s piano tone is refined, like turning pearls into sound.
With solid technique—evidenced by collaborations with the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française—she also composes her own works.
As a jazz pianist, she is an artist who evolves day by day.
NightfallTRISPACE
With a fantastical, harmonious tone, the music unfolds slowly, conveying a gentle rhythm with just the right touch.
The well-balanced interplay of instruments weaves a sound that creates a uniquely creative musical world.
This ‘Nightfall’ is a track that helps you relax.
Moon-viewing DollGENTLE FOREST JAZZ BAND
Formed in 2005 around Gentle Kubota, the 21-member big band GENTLE FOREST JAZZ BAND already sounds exciting just from that introduction.
If you want performances that are impeccably true to jazz manners worthy of the “Gentle” name—supremely cool and irresistibly cute—this is for you.
Enjoy to the fullest with both your ears and your eyes.
