Why Is Japan a Jazz Paradise? Part 2��From Sake to Soul: Jazz Musicians and Their Love for Japan

by Atzko Kohashi
August 6, 2025

Part 1 | Part 2 In May 2025 Japan welcomed an estimated 3.693 million visitors, marking a surge in global fascination with the country--up 125% (more than double!) compared to a decade ago. Many come for the exquisite Japanese cuisine, the tranquil atmosphere of temples and shrines, the ultra-modern buzz of Tokyo, or the ...

The Uncalled Capital

Active since: 2024

Staying true to the idioms of jazz while expanding its sound into the contemporary realm, The Uncalled Capital is a critically acclaimed sextet based in Tokyo featuring Shunya Aramaki on trumpet, Yu Yoshimori on alto saxophone, Jun Umegaki on tenor saxophone, Minami Yazaki on piano, Wataru Tamura on bass, and Jun Sato on drums. The ensemble draws inspiration from the likes of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers and the SFJAZZ Collective and showcases a dynamic repertoire that includes both original compositions and arrangements of jazz standard tunes by its members. Having performed at various venues in Tokyo, The Uncalled Capital is set to release its much-anticipated debut EP in the spring of 2025.

Pat Metheny at Sumida Triphony Hall

by Tomoyuki Kubo
July 31, 2025

Pat Metheny Sumida Triphony Hall Tokyo, Japan May 27 & 28, 2025 The announcement of Pat Metheny's 2025 Japan Solo Tour arrived unexpectedly, thrilling fans. The Dream Box Tour solo concerts, held across Japan from January to February 2024, marked a striking departure from Metheny's previous performances, leaving an ...

Concert Video: Frank Sinatra in Tokyo, 1962

July 23, 2025

In 1962, Frank Sinatra went out on a world tour to raise money for underprivileged children. He personally funded the tour, with stops in Mexico, Japan, China, Israel, Greece, England, France, Italy and Monaco. A large chunk of the tour involved performing at benefit concerts and visiting hospitals and orphanage. Accompanying him on stage were Emil ...

Why Is Japan a Jazz Paradise��or��Why the Japanese Feel at Home in Jazz?

by Atzko Kohashi
July 6, 2025

Part 1 | Part 2Why is Japan such a jazz-loving nation? No other country has reissued so many classic jazz albums as Japan. From Blue Note to Riverside to Prestige, masterpieces are constantly being revived--remastered with pristine sound, released in exclusive paper sleeves, or in ultra-high-quality formats like SHM-CD or SACD. Some albums long ...

Craig Mod: Things Become Things That Last

by Lawrence Peryer
May 10, 2025

Today, the Spotlight shines On Craig Mod, a writer, photographer, and walker. Criag's latest book, Things Become Other Things (Random House, 2025), is a walking memoir that traces his 300-mile journey along ancient pilgrimage paths in rural Japan. The book blends sharp prose with striking photography, capturing conversations with aging fishermen, inn owners, and ...

Flamenco-jazz Fusion Crosses Borders At The First International Oh! Jazz Festival In Japan

May 1, 2025

Flamenco Jazz Festival Japan Hightlights The inaugural Flamenco Jazz Festival Japan will blend Spanish flamenco traditions with jazz in iconic venues such as the historic Kencho-Ji Temple. It will take place between May 22 and 31 in the cities of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kamakura. The Flamenco Jazz Festival Japan redefines the traditional jazz festival experience by ...

Sora Ichikawa: Straying in Alpacas

by Scott Lichtman
March 21, 2025

The song “Straying in Alpacas" is an immensely satisfying and hard-driving tune, filled with melodic turns, alto peals, rhythmic stops, and thundering walking bass lines. While it sounds as if it could come from Steps Ahead or Yellowjackets in an earlier era, the piece is actually a concoction of rising Japanese pianist Sora Ichikawa. Ichikawa released ...

Kissas... Brooklyn Style

by Jason Sugars
January 24, 2025

For the purposes of this write-up, there's probably little need to go into a long history of the Japanese “Kissa"--you can read any of our articles covering them here. By now, we all know about the caf��s and bars across the country dedicated to jazz. The listening bar has made the trip back to the birthplace ...

Ken Sato Experience

Ken Sato Experience is a cutting-edge SNS band hailing from Tokyo, Japan. Founded by the talented Ken Sato in 2018, this innovative group has been thrilling global audiences with their dynamic online performances and creative musical productions