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.

http://arnanraz.bandcamp.com/album/chains-of-stories-2

Review:

http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/bobby-hutcherson/live-at-montreux(live)

Review:

http://www.jazzmusicarchives.com/album/scott-bevins/for-a-mouse
 

http://juno.co.uk/products/sun-ra-just-outta-this-world-rare/654713-01/ 

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I also have a hard time figuring out the precise release order and dating of both Charlie Parker with Strings volumes. 1949? 1950? Vol. 2 in 1954? What songs were on what media, there were so many!

What are some surefire ways to get accurate dates online when even Discogs can be wrong?

Drop off some samples Ashley and lets discuss them. 

Is there anyone who has a favorite method or site to double check on ANY jazz 1st editions?

Dicsogs is okay and London Jazz Collector....

EBay

Example:

Thanks.

http://viralwomen.com/post/story_about_dorothy_lucille_tipton_female_jazz_musician_who_lived_as_a_man

Does anyone happen to know where one can lay one's hands on Francis Moze's Naissance (outside of Discogs). 

Many thanks in advance ...  

I don't know what it is! I love it so much! 

Can you please help me identify the style or other artists or songs that have this style of drumming?

Even if all series albums are released during last decade, as it often happens with Japanese releases there are very limited information about their content. I spent quite a lot time searching for that data and now have more or less detailed view. No-one of these albums is exceptional by its musical quality, but as a representative collection of Maldron last years recordings they have some attraction for artist fans. Being expensive as any Japanese release, it's still possible to find them in net,so the question is if you are ready to pay often high cost to get one. I believe more detailed info could help making right decision.

The first album in a series is tittled "Klassics" - and it's extremely unusual recording for Waldron. It contains eleven compositions of which five are Waldron's originals and the rest - Brahms,Chopin,Grieg and Bartok music! Some of classic compositions are played in usual Waldron's manner,others- almost as chamber jazz. All music is recorded by trio, Waldron's collaborators are two Japanese musicians: bassist Kengo Nakamura and vibist Yoshihiko Katori. It's a studio material, recorded in Tokyo in 1998.

Important note:  All this material was already released before on the same Tokuma label in Japan at the year when it was recorded (as Mal Waldron "Klassics" album with different cover art). Reissued in 2003 version opens "Maturity" series as "Maturity 1 : Klassics" with characteristic series cover design.