Nobuki Takamen

Originally from Hiroshima, Japan, guitarist/composer Nobuki Takamen has been developing a reputation as ‘’the best jazz guitarist Japan has ever produced’’ as lauded in AllAboutJazz.


Described by Critical Jazz: ‘’…Jim Hall meets Wes Montgomery on their way to a Kenny Burrell show…’’, his music draws influence from the jazz greats and other musicians such ad Paul Simon, James Taylor, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and melts them into something distinctively his own.


He has toured with his group in North America and Europe, performing at many of the best jazz clubs and festivals including Iridium Jazz Club, Blue Note NY, Blues Alley, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, and the Nisville Jazz Festival, where he opened for the original Blues Brothers Band. He has also toured annually throughout Japan since 2004.


Nobuki has four albums released on What’s New Records and Summit Records, and three albums on his own label, including his first solo album, ”Solo Guitar”, his two-disc 6th album, ”Live in Japan”, and his eponymous 7th album, ”The Nobuki Takamen Trio”.


His playing and music have been featured in publications worldwide, including DownBeat, Vintage Guitar Magazine, Just Jazz Guitar, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Podium (Germany), Jazz’n’more (Switzerland), Jazz Special (Denmark), Musica Jazz (Italy), Jazzwise (UK), Swing Journal (Japan).


He is currently working on promoting his new album, ‘’Life is Now’’ and booking tours to support the release of the album.