Jazz From Japan : Now And Then

At early stage of modern jazz in Japan there were a few artists,known internationally (of whom veteran Sadao Watanabe still plays and records new music), true explosion happened when free jazz met Japanese young generation musicians at late 60s. Often being under-valuated as "secondary" or "copy-cats" till that time, Japanese scene gave some original world level music at that step. 

Free jazz revolution shaded away very soon in early 70s in Japan (same as in Western world though) and the next significant jump was jazz fusion. Some best Miles Davis  fusion albums are recorded live in Japan, many of leading world fusion stars played there and local following was truly enormous. This fashion influenced birth of hundreds of local fusion bands (very few were really original though), them dominated on domestic scenes right up till the end of the century and some are still active and popular today. 

At the same time starting from late 70s Japan suddenly became main market for high quality mainstream jazz. Many hard bop and post-bop Western stars who lost scenes around America and Europe almost in one day stayed highly regarded on prestigious Japanese scenes for decades ahead. Many best mainstream jazz albums during 70s,80s and 90s have been recorded and released in Japan (Herbie Hancock VSOP band's series of release are great example). 

Starting from late 90s and till now Japanese scene can offer all the line of original young artists playing modern jazz, mixing electronics,rock,hip-hop into their music. Still Japanese jazz is almost unknown outside of the country and possibly only modern fusion star Hiromi received true international  success.

At the same time, local jazz market is burgeoning with lots of new names, strong releases and world largest best jazz re-issues programs. Being follower of Jazz from Japan (i.i. jazz,recorded by Japanese artists and international jazz artists releases,recorded/released originally in Japan) for some years, I would like to spread some more interesting moments of it on this thread. It supposed to be no way chronological or any other systematic writings, more a collection of brightest impressions from some very new music and some really old, with no order. Hope some will find it interesting and useful.

One of best Japanese free jazz bands from early 70s - Yosuke Yamash*ta trio:

 

Full soundtrack (recorded in 1972) has been released on CD in 2008

Sadao surprised many of his old fans releasing an album of Bach pieces, played on flute just two month ago (Oct.2017)

One of a very fresh examples is Chick Corea and The Gadd Band's new album "Chinese Butterfly" which is available in Japan from November'17, but will be released in Western world in 2018 only.

 

Tokyo-Chutei-Iki are 13-baritone saxes band, founded in 2000

Selim Slive Elementz:

Guitarist Otomo Yoshihide - "Lonely Woman"

and some shred without guitars

She is going to release new album's vinyl version upcoming spring (CD version is already on the market)