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 Acts (31–40)
Danny BoyTeramura Yōko Torio
“Danny Boy,” arranged in jazz by the Yoko Teramura Trio, whose heartfelt touch lets the piano’s timbre sink deep into the soul.
Nostalgia is rendered in beautiful piano tones, creating an elegant mood that gently envelops you and carries you into a healing, soothing space.
HeavensAyumi Koketsu Quartet
Debuting in July 2010, Ayumi Koketsu is a jazz alto saxophonist whose tone is rich and lustrous, with masterful expressiveness and well-honed technique.
Every track is outstanding, drawing you into her richly sensitive saxophone world.
Night Talk DeceiveLowland Jazz
Roland Jazz, a jazz band that began activity in April 2013, is especially captivating for its lineup of more than ten members, which creates a vivid tapestry of sound through the intricately interwoven timbres of each instrument.
The arrangement of “Yobanashi Deceive” is excellent—an upbeat, lively piece whose call-and-response passages among the three trumpets are particularly breathtaking.
Let’s meet on the far side of the moon.the fascinations
This is “Let’s Meet on the Dark Side of the Moon,” performed by The Fascinations, a group formed around vibraphonist Masami Watanabe.
The song is a cover of Original Love’s second single, but when arranged in a jazz style and played on vibraphone, it sounds like a brand-new piece.
Softly as in a Morning SunriseShīn Obu Jazzu
Scene of Jazz is a Japanese piano trio.
The members are pianist Akira Ishii, drummer Masahiko Osaka, and bassist Daiki Anzukawa.
They are a band that mainly performs jazz standards—classic tunes in the jazz repertoire—and “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” is one of those staples.
Their rendition has a light, gentle feel that perfectly suits the tender hours of the morning.
Recommended Japanese Jazz Bands — From Classic Legends to Emerging Talent (41–50)
As You LikeThe Jazz Avengers
The Jazz Avengers is a jazz instrumental band made up of eight Japanese women musicians who are world-class in their craft.
Formed in 2021 under the leadership of Senri Kawaguchi, they deliver a fresh sound that brings together exceptional skill and unique personalities across saxophone, drums, guitar, and more.
They made their major-label debut in April 2023 with the album THE JAZZ AVENGERS and have continued to stay highly active since.
One standout story speaks to their extraordinary talent: Kawaguchi, who began playing drums at age five, was selected as a top drummer on a renowned global drumming website at just thirteen.
Guided by the principles of the SDGs, the group also engages in activities beyond music, including efforts to reduce gender disparity.
If you’re looking to enjoy music grounded in jazz, funk, and fusion with a fresh sensibility, this is the band for you.
BrazilSumairī Kohara to Sukairaināzu
Smiley Kohara and the Skyliners was a big band led by Smiley Kohara that began performing in postwar Japan and continued until 1983.
If you like jazz or wind band music, you’ve probably heard “Brazil,” but this band delivers a stylish performance too, so I highly recommend giving it a listen.