Note: Dug has announced that they will be closing permanently on June 27, 2026. A 65-year history is coming to an end, so swing by while you still can! Well-regarded and oft-mentioned, the dark and soulful jazz cafe Dug may be one of the first stops on a jazz seeker’s quest in Japan. For many years, Dug has been one of the few jazz bars listed in popular guidebooks and tourist information. ...

Abstract Messages is the final record from the group Bungalow, an album created under unique circumstances and with a different structure from previous releases. A mix of acoustic instruments and electronic sounds, the album is not only full of beautiful music but is also an accomplishment of coordination, both in its creation and the dynamic of the music. Confined to two separate countries in 2020, the three remaining members of Bungalow were recorded in two different sessions. The two musicians Koichi Sato and Ko Omura recorded piano and percussion in Japan and handed off the recordings to third member Mike Rivett in Australia, who layered in saxophones, loops, and sound effects, and finished the mixing. ...

World-traveling pianist Yukako Yamano released Imperial in 2018, a three-song mini-album showcasing not only her original songs but also the special instrument after which the album is named. The inspiration for this album was the sound produced by a luxury piano the young pianist had the opportunity to play, a Bösendorfer 290 Imperial 1978. This type of grand piano has a bass-extended range of 97 keys over a full eight octaves, compared to 88 keys on a standard full-sized piano. The addition of extra bass strings and hardware not only offers the player deeper notes to strike but also enhances the total sound produced by all of the other keys with richer harmonic resonance — as well as increasing the overall size and weight of the imposing instrument. ...

While leading and participating in different groups through the years, musicians Hiroe Kobayashi and Sayaka Kishi have also played together on various projects incorporating standard jazz, pop, and Latin genres, and even Disney and movie songs. In 2022, the duo released their first full-length album entitled Luar under the band name Sul Madrugada. This name, Portuguese for “southern dawn”, together with the title Luar for “moonlight” beautifully describes the atmospheric direction the pair gravitates towards with this Latin jazz project. On this release, the duo is devoted to creating South American music in a package that embraces nature through the icons of the sun and moon. ...

With many jazz bars and performance opportunities reduced during the pandemic period, musicians used novel approaches to create and record music. Musicians would play together over video feeds, host live online events, and send audio files back and forth to one another for collaboration. Some musicians also composed and recorded in conditions resembling self-isolation or even quarantine, resulting in an increase in self-produced music created entirely at home by individual artists. Many of the albums released in recent years share these common bonds like generational traits imprinted on the music. This is another small way by which this period leaves unique reminders of the strangeness of the times characterized by new restrictions, lockdowns, medicines, and masks. ...

Nestled in an ordinary neighborhood located between the popular Tokyo tourist sites of Ueno Park and Asakusa’s Senso-ji temple, Knuttel House is a hidden treasure for underground music and art fans. The working-class surroundings are a point of distinction for this spot, where the associated qualities of honest, hard-working folk doing business and honing their craft align comfortably in this old downtown district. At Knuttel House, the craft includes a small gallery with art on the walls and live performances of jazz, free jazz, improvisation, and experimental artists. An example is described in a previous post about a live album recorded here. ...

Trumpeter Tetsuji Yoshida and pianist Mikiko Nagatake create new music in old town surroundings on 2021’s Live at Knuttel House. Yoshida’s original compositions make up the six songs for forty minutes selected from live performances at Knuttel art and live house. The modest venue is nestled in a working-class neighborhood in old Tokyo that seems to imbue the music with the charm and patina of the traditional surroundings. Yoshida’s conceptions skate around the borders of jazz, rock, and blues with hints of uniquely Japanese folk melodies, into which the talented pair freely incorporates traditional jazz forms. ...

Located in the fashionable area of Omotesando and Minami-Aoyama, and not too far from Shibuya, Zimagine is a precious gem in the city. Recently relocated and renovated, the stylish space is modeled in the form of an underground exposed-brick cellar with a gentle arc of a dark metal ceiling, a dark underground cathedral to artistic music and performances. The brick walls are carefully plastered with rough strokes creating slight gaps and cracks here and there for atmospheric wear and tear decorating a brand-new space. With a nice wooden floor, stage, tables, and chairs, the dark room creates a comfortable space for music to flow in a natural setting. The stage features a grand piano as well as a Fender Rhodes electric piano which is brought out on occasion according to the event. ...

Fumika Asari’s first album is Introducin’ from 2020, a satisfying debut with a mix of players, combinations, and a to-the-point title with a respectful nod to classic jazz album titles. The beautiful sound of acoustic jazz matches well with the young guitarist’s natural style and concept, jazz that shuns attention-seeking tricks and lofty effects in favor of a genuine, pared-down jazz feeling. From song to song, the combination of musicians and styles changes, shuffling between quartets, trios, and duos. Throughout, relaxed easiness and vintage swing arise from classy ensemble playing and spotlit guitar improvisation. As for the changing combos, a guitar quartet is featured on track #1 (guitar, piano, bass, drums), then a trio on #2 (guitar, bass, drums), a guitar & guitar duo, a quartet, a trio, a guitar & piano duo, a quartet (guitar, alto sax, trombone, bass), a sextet, and finally a guitar solo. This variation of players and combinations of instruments keeps things interesting while introducing Asari’s musical vision for her debut release. ...