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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- Start here first! Classic jazz-rock masterpieces. Recommended popular tracks.
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- A roundup of famous jazz standards featured in the hugely popular jazz manga BLUE GIANT
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Recommended Japanese Jazz Bands — From Classic Legends to Emerging Talent (41–50)
All of youLiquid Stella
Formed in 2019, the three-piece instrumental band Liquid Stella offers a captivating fusion of jazz and pop.
The refined musicianship of its accomplished members—Sota Yamazaki, Rintaro Kondo, and Kenshin Sugimura—blossomed on their 2023 album AUTHENTIC.
The release has surpassed 900,000 streams and earned them the cover spot on Spotify’s official playlist Jazz Fusion Japan.
A track featuring ASMR artist Chelsea also drew attention, and in February 2025 they successfully celebrated their 5th anniversary with a live show at BLUES ALLEY JAPAN.
Rooted in jazz yet pursuing a soothing atmosphere and catchy melodies, their music is perfect for those seeking a calm, relaxing time.
Recommended Japanese Jazz Bands — From Classic Legends to Young Artists (51–60)
NewsummerboyNATSUMEN
Formed in 2002 around members who had been active in a rock band, NATSUMEN brings together players with diverse backgrounds.
Despite their cheerful-sounding name, their music is aggressively aligned with genres like free jazz and hardcore—so if you’re expecting a jazzy, stylish vibe, you’re in for a shock.
Complex, mathcore-adjacent band ensembles, a storm of odd time signatures, relentless drumming, blaring horn sections… While it’s hardly what you’d call easy listening, their superb sense of balance shines through in the sparkling melodies woven throughout.
It’s not music that can be summed up in a single phrase, so we recommend repeated listens to uncover their unique appeal!
Horizonindigo jam unit
Although they unfortunately announced a hiatus in 2016, indigo jam unit is a four-piece band that kept releasing albums at the astonishing pace of one per year since forming in 2005.
All of their albums were recorded in single takes with no overdubs or edits—an unwavering commitment to a truly “live” sound.
Their music uniquely interprets the individual roots of the four members—classical, jazz, funk, and Latin.
Combining the sophistication of club jazz with the heat and dynamism to rival any rock band, their sound is something not only jazz lovers but all music fans should hear.
All of their original albums come highly recommended, and their special projects—featuring female vocalists or cover albums—are also excellent showcases of their wide-ranging talents.
caravanTeichiku Jazu Ōkesutora
This is ‘Caravan’ performed by the Teichiku Jazz Orchestra, a dedicated recording orchestra that once existed at the record company Teichiku Entertainment.
Perhaps because they originally worked in the fields of rōkyoku narrative singing and rakugo comic storytelling, parts of this ‘Caravan’ melody have a certain luster reminiscent of rōkyoku.
Blue SkiesŌnishi Junko Torio
When it comes to Junko Onishi, she is one of Japan’s foremost jazz pianists—an irreplaceable treasure whose sensitive, expressive artistry, razor-sharp ear, and impeccable technique are second to none.
A top graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, she became the first Japanese artist to perform at New York’s legendary jazz club, the Village Vanguard.
Her talent resonates far beyond Japan, earning her recognition on the world stage.
In conclusion
After reading this article, you may have discovered something new, like “So this band also has jazz elements.” Japanese artists and jazz are a great match, and there are many bands that can hold their own on the world stage as well as groups with a distinctive individuality.
If you find a band that catches your interest, be sure to experience them live.
You’ll surely be blown away by an energy that rivals any rock show!