Guitarist/composer Nobuki Takamen was born in Hiroshima, Japan. Jazz historian Scott Yanow describes him as ”an excellent improviser in his own bop-inspired style.” John Heidt of Vintage Guitar Magazine has also called him ”a mature player with keen sense of composition [and] considerable technical skill.” A mainstay of the New York jazz scene, Nobuki has toured with his group in the USA, Canada and Europe, performing at some of the best international jazz festivals and clubs including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Blue Note NY, Iridium Jazz Club, Blues Alley and Smalls Jazz Club. He has also toured annually throughout Japan since 2004. Nobuki released two albums on What’s New Records. His third album, Live at the Iridium, released on Summit Records, presents a complete, uncut performance from a set at Iridium Jazz Club in 2009. His forth album, Three Wishes, recorded with his trio, was also released on Summit Records in 2012. Nobuki’s playing and music have been featured in publications worldwide, including DownBeat, Vintage Guitar Magazine, Just Jazz Guitar, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Podium, Jazz’n’more, Jazz Special, Musica Jazz and Jazzwise. Besides leading his group, Nobuki has been playing solo frequently since his solo concert at the Montreal International Jazz Festival as part of 100% Guitare in 2009. He recorded his first solo guitar album one month prior to his Europe tour in August 2014. This album, Solo Guitar was released in December 2014. Vintage Guitar Magazine commented: ”Takamen is a master. Beautiful solo guitar”. In 2016, Nobuki released his sixth album, Live in Japan. This 2-disc album was recorded live during his tour in his native country in 2015, with his long-time musical collaborators, Toshiyuki Tanahashi on bass and Naoki Aikawa on drums. Mark Sullivan of AllAboutJazz remarked of this trio music: ”This is jazz guitar trio music at its finest”. Nobuki endorses Acoustic Image Amplifiers, Raezer’s Edge Speaker Cabinets, Eventide and Reunion Blues. from www.nobukitakamen.com
