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 jazz vocalist representing the domestic jazz scene (ages 21–30).
Take Me In Your Armsmaya
She first took the stage in 1999 at a jazz live house.
While grounded in jazz, she doesn’t confine herself to any single genre and excels at singing in multiple languages.
She is also known for representing Japan at the Shanghai Jazz Festival in 2006.
An avid audio enthusiast, she serves as vice president of the Women’s Audio Society and appears at numerous audio events.
In addition, she has launched her own label, drawing attention for activities that go beyond the scope of a typical vocalist.
My Funny ValentineTOKU
TOKU is a versatile player who, while being a vocalist, also freely handles the flugelhorn, an instrument similar to the trumpet.
His sweet, Chet Baker–like singing voice has won him many female fans.
He originally played cornet in his junior high school wind ensemble, and it’s said that he began focusing on singing after being encouraged by those around him while studying abroad.
A vocalist who can take instrumental solos has greater melodic freedom, which gives the music a sense of breadth and makes it a joy to listen to.
Chocolate DiscoToki Asako
Asako Toki, the daughter of renowned saxophonist Hideshi Toki, is a singer who freely moves between jazz and J-pop, wielding a clear, airy voice as her hallmark.
Her musical career began as the vocalist of Cymbals, formed in 1997.
Strongly influenced by Western music, the band produced a sophisticated, urban, and stylish sound that was often described at the time as post-Shibuya-kei.
After the band disbanded, she released “STANDARDS: Asako Toki Sings Jazz,” co-produced with her father, Hideshi, marking the start of her career as a solo singer.
Her style is highly regarded by fellow musicians, and she has received many offers from other artists, frequently showcasing her voice as a guest vocalist.
So Many StarsSuzuki Shigeko
At the time of her debut, Shigeko Suzuki drew attention as a vocalist who graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Law.
She began studying piano at age three, and after entering elementary school, received English conversation lessons from her mother.
Supported by her keen ear and language skills, her husky yet delicate singing voice captivates fans and won’t let go.
She is also known for becoming the first Japanese vocalist to perform at the prestigious jazz club Blue Note New York upon her album debut in 1995.
Drinks for twoUiriamusu Hiroko
Not only have her released works received high acclaim, they have also achieved commercial success.
Hiroko Williams continues to excel as one of Japan’s representative jazz singers since the 2000s.
A native of Shizuoka Prefecture, she was influenced during her time as an office worker by legendary jazz singers such as Anita O’Day and Julie London, and moved to the UK on her own.
After returning to Japan, she began her career in earnest as a jazz singer, and her self-produced album “a time for Ballads,” recorded in Los Angeles, garnered significant attention.
Her assured prowess as a singer was praised by renowned Japanese composer Katsuhisa Hattori, who described it as “like a Rolls-Royce with the finest engine cruising elegantly at 100 km/h.” Since then, she has continued to release numerous self-produced recordings with a meticulous commitment to sound quality, and is recognized as a top artist in the contemporary jazz scene.
In conclusion
We introduced a wide variety of Japanese jazz singers, from the legendary postwar stars to the mid-career artists who have been attracting attention in recent years.
Even though we call it jazz, it takes many forms, so there are cases where someone may seem like a pop singer at first glance, yet you can sense a jazz foundation beneath the surface.
Why not use this article as a springboard to dive into the deeper world of jazz singers?