Japanese jazz singer. A jazz vocalist representing the domestic jazz scene.
There are many Japanese jazz musicians who are recognized worldwide, but there may be surprisingly few people who can immediately name a representative Japanese jazz singer.
The history of jazz singers in Japan actually goes back to before World War II.
After the war, a string of hit songs based on jazz emerged, and many stars beloved by the public were born.
With that history in mind, this article spotlights Japanese jazz singers from a broad perspective!
From legendary superstars with a foundation in jazz to pure jazz vocalists, and even those unexpected artists who actually sang jazz—we’ll bring you a richly varied selection!
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Japanese jazz singer. A leading jazz vocalist representing Japan’s domestic jazz scene (11–20)
Over the rainbowShimabukuro Hiroko
In the late 1990s, Hiroko Shimabukuro debuted as a member of SPEED while still an elementary school student and quickly became so popular that her name was known throughout Japan.
Some might wonder why she’s being mentioned in an article about jazz singers, but in fact, after SPEED first disbanded, Shimabukuro began her career as a jazz singer.
In 2004, she launched her full-fledged jazz project, Coco d’Or, performing mainly standard numbers and regularly releasing albums and holding concerts.
She earned high acclaim, winning the Japanese Music category for Jazz Album of the Year at the 19th Japan Gold Disc Awards in 2005.
Shimabukuro’s powerful vocals were already in the spotlight during her SPEED days, but be sure to check out her even more refined artistry as a jazz singer.
SmileMatsuda Seiko
It’s not all that unusual for major singers who made their name outside jazz to try their hand at it, and in recent years the eternal idol Seiko Matsuda has released full-fledged jazz albums as well.
These are not mere one-off projects; they’re filled with the genuine commitment of an artist with a career spanning over 40 years.
Released in 2017, SEIKO JAZZ features heavyweight figures from the jazz world on the recordings and stands as a superb jazz album that lets you fully savor “jazz singer” Seiko Matsuda’s voice as she masterfully interprets standard numbers.
It won the Planning Award at the 59th Japan Record Awards.
The album was also released in the U.S.
through the prestigious jazz label Verve and received high acclaim.
In 2019, she released a follow-up, SEIKO JAZZ 2, so be sure to listen to them together!
Que Sera, Sera (Whatever will be, will be)Pegī Hayama
Speaking of Peggy Hayama, she is a nationally beloved singer who performed and also wrote the Japanese lyrics for “Do-Re-Mi,” a song everyone in Japan has hummed at least once.
She served as the 7th president and later honorary president of the Japan Singers Association, making immense contributions to Japan’s music scene.
Born in Yotsuya, Tokyo, in 1933, Hayama was familiar with singing from an early age and studied vocal music with the aim of entering a music university.
While attending Aoyama Gakuin University, however, she shifted to popular music and jazz.
While singing at U.S.
occupation forces’ camps, she was discovered by the famed Tee-Kamayatsu and went on to perform as the featured singer for the highly popular big band Hiroshi Watanabe and the Star Dusters.
She later made her solo debut and released many hit songs, becoming a household favorite not only in jazz and popular music but also in the world of kayōkyoku and as a television personality.
Hayama, who remained active throughout her life, left a voice that can truly be called eternal—indispensable to the history of postwar Japanese popular music.
GoodbyeNanshī Umeki
Known overseas by her stage name Miyoshi Umeki, Nancy Umeki was a pioneering Japanese jazz singer.
Born in 1929 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Umeki began studying English in her teens and sang jazz as a performer of American English-language songs.
It was around that time that she was given the stage name Nancy Umeki.
In 1955, she moved to the United States and began her full-fledged career based there.
Building a steady career that included releasing albums on the legendary Mercury Records, Umeki appeared in the 1957 film “Sayonara” starring Marlon Brando, alongside actress Miiko Taka.
She achieved the honor of winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her singing, beautifully blending English and Japanese, still sounds fresh today—start with a compilation album to get a taste of her voice.
Rosalia of the MountainSurī Gureisesu
When it comes to postwar Japanese female chorus groups, the Three Graces are indispensable.
Formed in 1958 under Masao Kojima—a jazz musician who helped launch big names like Dark Ducks and The Four Bon-Bons—the trio scored a major hit the following year with the Russian folk song “Yama no Rosalia” (Rosalia of the Mountain), which led to appearances on the NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen in 1962 and 1963.
They paused their activities in 1967 to prioritize family life, but reunited over two decades later in 1989, releasing the Suntory Wine commercial image song “Omoidasite Ukulele” that same year.
Since then, they have remained active, performing numerous commercial jingles and TV themes and even participating in jazz festivals in the United States.
They are also the voices behind the beloved national anime song “Sally the Witch”! Be sure to check out their many wonderful classics—borne of their jazz sensibilities and Japan’s pride in chorus music—on a best-of collection.
Under the apple treedikku mine
Dick Mine was not only active in Japan’s jazz scene from before the war, but also showcased his multifaceted talents as a popular singer, actor, and television personality.
Born in 1908 in Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, Mine was reportedly familiar with Western music from an early age.
After moving to Tokyo, he entered Rikkyo University, immersed himself in jazz, began playing in bands, and worked as a steel guitar accompanist on various recordings.
He was later discovered by the famed Noriko Shibuya and made his record debut, forming the Teichiku-affiliated jazz band Dick Mine and His Serenaders.
At the same time, he scored hits singing popular songs and rose to prominence.
After the war, Mine thrived as a veteran singer and as an actor.
He was not only a key figure in the formative years of Japanese jazz, but undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the history of Japanese entertainment.
Japanese jazz singer. A jazz vocalist representing the domestic jazz scene (ages 21–30).
Little WaltzMeg
A renowned player who has built up countless great performances with the likes of Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock—the “God of Jazz Bass,” Ron Carter—produced this female singer, whose crystalline, translucent voice stands in striking contrast to her powerful performances.
For the record, she is a different person from the fashion model with the same name.
In addition to trombone, she is supported by top modern jazz players in configurations such as piano trio plus saxophone, as well as guitar and percussion—an emerging talent drawing considerable attention.