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.
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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.
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- Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
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Recommended Japanese Jazz Bands — From Classic Legends to Emerging Talent (41–50)
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.
Burn RedFukui Ami Torio
A gentle, tranquil piano melody rides comfortably over a crisp, steady drum rhythm, and as the performance unfolds, each instrument begins to clearly express its own character.
Yet they intertwine with wonderful balance, making it a very pleasing track to listen to.
POPCORNkangarū
This is the instrumental track “POPCORN” by the fusion band Kangaroo, active in the 1980s.
It was once used on programs like All-Night Nippon and Quiz Chikyū Marukajiri, so some people might find it familiar.
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.
SweetieOur Love to Stay
The jazz arranged in a Charleston style is played in an up-tempo swing, putting you in a lighthearted mood.
Although the band Our Love to Stay sadly ceased activities after their live performance in May 2008, many fans still hope for their return.
Tsugaru Jongara-bushi ~ Promised Landkurofune
Even their name evokes a sense of “Wa” (Japanese harmony): Kurofune is an unusual jazz band featuring TRI4TH’s bassist Yuki Sekiya, pianist Daisuke Takeuchi, Tsugaru-shamisen player Hikari Shirafuji, and singer Anna Sato from Amami City.
Their urban jazz sound fuses beautifully with Japan’s traditional music—Tsugaru region shamisen and the folk songs of the Amami Islands—achieving a superb balance.
It’s a truly East-meets-West mixture of jazz that’s sure to astonish first-time listeners.
In their hands, even standard jazz numbers are translated into Amami dialect and reborn in the Kurofune style.
If you’re searching for an original jazz band, this one comes highly recommended!
Ancient CapitalDEZOLVE
Formed in 2014, the four-piece instrumental fusion band DEZOLVE pursues new forms of expression with youthful sensibilities and exceptional musicianship.
They made their major-label debut on King Records in February 2018 with the album “PORTRAY,” drawing attention for a distinctive sound that transcends the boundaries of fusion.
Guitarist Shoya Kitagawa, who has studied piano since the age of three, released his solo album “The New Day” in 2017.
Bassist Takuma Kaneko was selected at age 17 as the youngest finalist in the Masters category of the nationwide bass audition “BIT MASTERS 2015,” among other achievements that attest to each member’s proven skill.
Incorporating elements of jazz, rock, and pop, their music lets you fully savor the allure of their instruments while leaving a pleasant afterglow—making it a perfect listen for those who want to unwind.