A powerhouse quintet fronted by tenor saxophonists Akihiro Nishiguchi, Tomoaki Baba and Yu Kuga, Tenors in Chaos blends hard-swinging originals with fearless improvisation. Rapidly establishing themselves as one of the most talked-about projects on Japan’s jazz scene, the group has built a formidable reputation through sold-out performances at Blue Note Tokyo, supporting KNOWER’s Japan tour, and the release of their acclaimed album More Chaos. Their versatile “chaotic” sound is propelled by a cutting-edge rhythm section featuring Takashi Sugawa (Banksia Trio, MIJF 2025) on bass and Kazuhiro Odagiri on drums.
Led by guitarist and composer May Inoue, STEREO CHAMP is driven by rhythmic precision and a deep commitment to collective improvisation, exploring the dynamic relationship between composition and spontaneity. While firmly rooted in jazz, the group’s sound reaches beyond genre, drawing on rhythm, texture and improvisation to create music that is both sophisticated and unpredictable.
Pianist, producer and vocalist Misaki Umei is one of the most compelling young artists in Japanese music today. Moving fluidly between jazz, electronic music production and alternative sounds, Umei was named as one of 25 artists for Rolling Stone Japan’s Future of Music list and has recently performed at FUJI ROCK Festival, cementing her reputation as a distinctive new voice in contemporary Japanese music.
From fearless improvisation to innovative new compositional voices, this special showcase offers a compelling snapshot of the vitality and diversity driving Japan’s jazz scene today.
