Guitarist/Composer Nobuki Takamen, born in 1977 and raised in Hiroshima, Japan, now resides in Jersey City, NJ and performs in the Tri-State area.
Nobuki leads his own group, NOBUKI TAKAMEN GROUP, which performs his original compositions and arrangements. A mainstay of the New York jazz scene, he has also performed at jazz festivals, including the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal 2009, the Medicine Hat Jazz Fest 2009, the Calgary Jazz Festival 2009 and the Rochester International Jazz Festival 2007 and toured annually throughout Japan since 2004.
Nobuki has two albums as a leader released from What's New Records.
Both the first album, Bull's Blues (2006), and the second, FROM NOW ON (2008) are comprised entirely of his original compositions and have been featured in DownBeat, Just Jazz Guitar, AllAboutJazz, Jazz Guitar Book, LA Jazz Scene, Jazz Life Magazine and Swing Journal.
The group performed at Iridium Jazz Club in NYC in July 2009. This performance was recorded live and it is to be released as his third album, Live at the Iridium in 2010.
Nobuki endorses Acoustic Image Amplifiers, Raezer's Edge Speaker Cabinets and Yamaha USA.
''Takamen has a consistently mellow tone and a style that ranges from relaxed to fiery.From Now On will satisfy fans of the bop guitar.''
—Scott Yanow, Los Angeles Jazz Scene
''While Takamen has prodigious technique, FROM NOW ON never forces it in your face. His compositions all have strong, lyrical melodies akin to James Taylor's, which sink into the mind, inviting subconscious lyric-writing from even the most casual listen.''
—Dave Major, AllAboutJazz
''Takamen continues his seamless merging of lyrically-resplendent compositions, with peppery, in-the-pocket grooves.''
—Glenn Astarita, JazzReview.com
''Nobuki gets to exhibit some fine chops in each of these tunes as he displays a keen sense of melody and taste.''
—Lyle Robinson, Jazz Guitar Life
''... the compositions are engaging, and the group dynamic is never less than brilliant. Takamen has given us a great first album and left us with the anticipation of his successes to come.''
—Matthew Warnock, Just Jazz Guitar
"Nobuki Takamen released a new CD entitled ''From Now On'', which features some of the best musicians the area has to offer. ...combines poignant melodies with fast-paced jazz instrumentals.''
— Sean Allocca, Current
''After a brilliant first album, guitar player Nobuki Takamen is back with ten originals. The style is fluid and the whole album is well structured, keep up the good work.''
—Pascal Dorban, Radio ARA Luxembourg
Download Bull's Blues & FROM NOW ON from:
iTunes
For more information, please visit:
www.NobukiTakamen.com
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