Nina Yamada
Born and raised in Kamakura, Japan, and currently based in London, Nina Yamada is a DJ, vinyl collector, curator, and founder of Jazzy Sport London, the first international branch of the independent record label and record store Jazzy Sport, which has been shaping Japan’s music culture since its establishment in 2002.
Founded by Nina in 2022, Jazzy Sport London has become a platform connecting the music scenes of Japan and the UK through a series of events, radio shows, and community-driven projects. Its activities have grown alongside the UK jazz dance community Footnotes, with the launch of a monthly jam night in April 2025, creating a space where dancers and DJs can organically share the floor. The project is now expanding into label activities, with its first releases currently in development. The inaugural release will be a vinyl compilation celebrating and documenting more than 20 years of Jazzy Sport’s musical legacy, offering a fresh perspective on the catalogue for both longtime supporters and a new generation of listeners. The compilation is scheduled for release in summer 2025.
Deeply influenced by her father’s extensive vinyl collection, Nina began DJing at a young age, developing a distinctive sound shaped by years of digging and listening. Her sets fluidly move across deep house, downtempo, acid jazz, Afrobeat, jazz, Latin, reggae, broken beat, and other groove-driven genres, creating an organic and soulful dancefloor experience.
After beginning her DJ career in Japan, Nina relocated to London in 2022. Since then, she has performed extensively across Europe and Asia, appearing at internationally renowned venues and festivals including Panorama Bar at Berghain, Wonderfruit, Love Supreme Festival, Multi Multi Festival, and Into The Burrow. She has also played at respected venues and spaces including Jazz Cafe, Yoyaku Records, Spotify O-East, WOMB, and VENT. In the UK, she opened for Theo Parrish at We Out Here Festival, further establishing her presence on the international circuit through her thoughtful, genre-spanning approach to DJing. With a busy summer ahead, she is also set to appear at a number of festivals across the UK and Europe.
Alongside her work as a DJ and curator, Nina’s first remix project is scheduled for release in summer 2026, marking another step in the evolution of her artistic practice.