THE JAZZ AVENGERS
All-Star All-Female Japanese Jazz-Fusion & Funk Powerhouse
Biography & Formation
Formed in 2021 by internationally acclaimed drum prodigy Senri Kawaguchi, THE JAZZ AVENGERS is an elite eight-piece all-female jazz-fusion ensemble hailing from Tokyo, Japan. The group was initially assembled as a special festival showcase band for the One Young World Japan summit in Munich, bringing together top-tier solo virtuosos and in-demand studio session musicians across Japan's instrumental scene.
Propelled by explosive chemistry, technical precision, and viral live performance clips, the project evolved into a permanent touring and recording supergroup. Built upon a four-piece horn section (two alto saxes, tenor sax, soprano sax) backed by a ferocious rhythm section featuring Kawaguchi, guitarist Chizuru Segawa, bassist Juna Serita, and keyboardist Marie Takeda, THE JAZZ AVENGERS merge high-energy 1970s/80s fusion groove (reminiscent of Casiopea, T-Square, and Tower of Power) with modern funk, Latin jazz, and blistering improvisation.
Featured Rhythm Section: Biographies & Instrumental Mastery
- Senri Kawaguchi (川口千里) – Drums & Band Leader
- Gaining global viral fame as a child prodigy playing Dave Weckl and Casiopea covers, Kawaguchi is hailed among the elite drummers in the world. Mentored by legendary drummer Kozo Suganuma, she is renowned for her laser-tight polyrhythms, explosive double-bass footwork, asymmetrical metric modulations, and effortless odd-meter mastery (endorsing Yamaha Drums and Zildjian Cymbals).
- Chizuru Segawa (瀬川千鶴) – Guitar
- A graduate of Showa Academia Musicae, Segawa is a versatile session guitarist with a dynamic voice across fusion, jazz, and rock. Her playing features tight rhythmic funk strumming, pristine single-coil cleans, warm semi-hollow tones, and high-energy overdrive solos loaded with chromatic lines and fluid pentatonic runs.
- Juna Serita (芹田珠奈) – Bass & Vocals
- A Berklee-scholarship-awarded bassist and viral powerhouse (and leader of Tokyo Groove Jyoshi), Serita anchors the low end with aggressive, syncopated slap-and-pop techniques, heavy fingerstyle funk grooves, and commanding stage charisma, citing Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, and Marcus Miller as foundational influences.
- Marie Takeda (竹田麻里絵) – Keyboards & Piano
- Trained in classical piano before graduating from Kunitachi College of Music's Jazz course, Takeda brings harmonic sophistication, rapid-fire acoustic piano solos, lush Rhodes chords, and expressive analog synthesizer leads, serving as the central harmonic engine of the rhythm section.
Full Band Architecture: The Horn Section
The rhythm section's fiery groove is matched by THE JAZZ AVENGERS' formidable four-horn frontline:
- Miku Yonezawa (米澤美玖) – Tenor Saxophone
- Acclaimed solo jazz artist delivering gritty, blues-infused tenor roar and soaring melodies.
- Ami Nakazono (中園亜美) – Soprano Saxophone
- Berklee alumna known for crystalline tone and fluid melodic counterpoint.
- WaKaNa – Alto Saxophone
- Brings smooth soul-jazz and R&B phrasing to the horn arrangements.
- Yukiko Shinohara (寺地美穂 / Miho Terachi collaborator / Alto Sax) – Alto Saxophone
- Sharp funk stabs, bright modern timbre, and intricate dual-alto harmony lines.
Selected Discography & Key Releases
Studio & Live Albums
- THE JAZZ AVENGERS (Self-Titled Debut Album) (2023)
- The band's explosive self-titled debut featuring original compositions penned by individual members, highlighted by high-octane fusion cuts like "Top Me Up," "Unite," "Aksen," and "Raise Your Flag."
- 8. (Eight) (2nd Studio Album) (2024)
- The follow-up full-length release showcasing sophisticated eight-part interplay, tighter funk grooves, Latin fusion passages, and blistering solo trade-offs between guitar, keys, horns, and drums.
- Live at Billboard Live & Blue Note Sessions (Various Releases)
- Live concert audio and video releases capturing their relentless stage power, intricate improvisational jams, and extended drum solo showcases from Senri Kawaguchi.
Key Singles & Showcases
- "Top Me Up" (2023)
- The breakout signature track highlighting Kawaguchi's syncopated groove, Serita's slap bass, and sharp horn-section hooks.
- "Unite" (2023)
- An anthemic jazz-rock track featuring fluid melodic lead trades between Segawa's electric guitar and Takeda's synthesizers.
Senri Kawaguchi - Chizuru Segawa - Juna Serita - Marie Takeda