Discography

Life is Now (October 21st, 2020)

Amazon
Apple Music
Spotify
YouTube

AS an exclusive offer, you can get 3 bonus tracks (MP3/WAV) when you download the album. In order to get the tracks, email me from here after you purchase the album from other websites, or simply purchase directly from me.

Digital download is $10. After you make a payment via Venmo, PayPal or check, I will send you a link to download the album and the bonus tracks. (Physical copies of the album will be available in the next year)

1. Blues Wee
2. Just One Story
3. Last of All
4. Hider or Seeker?
5. Under the Big Sky
6. No Easy Days
7. Gee, Seventh Avenue
8. Home Away From Home
9. Life is Now

All compositions by Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Naoki Aikawa / Drums


‘’… showing his sense of melody, originality, and unique expression. A thoroughly pleasing and fulfilling album with the band totally in touch…’’ 
- Gene Bertoncini 

''Takamen wrings some of the sweetest tones we’ve heard in some time from his 335, but it’s his exquisite, sensitive phrasing and voice leading that make this a must-listen for trad-jazz fans.''
- Guitar World Magazine
The Nobuki Takamen Trio

Apple Music
Amazon

1. The Circle Game
2. Helsingin taivas (Helsinki Sky)
3. 3AM
4. Fox's Tail
5. Wonderful Days
6. A-Tico-Ta
7. Blues Alberta
8. Sjecanja za Pamcenje (Memories to Remember)
9. 25
10. Piece for Peace

All compositions by Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Naoki Aikawa / Drums

Akihito Yoshikawa / Percussion (Track 6)

Released on November 28, 2018


Helsingin taivas (Helsinki Sky) received the first prize of the Instrumental Category in the USA Songwriting Competition 2019.


''... the best jazz guitarist Japan has ever produced...'' (5 Stars)
- AllAboutJazz, Chris Mosey

''Apart from his unique phraseology, and a self-evidence for a wide harmonic landscape, he furthermore draws from a multitude of different genres and melts them into something distinctively his own.''
- AllAboutJazz, Friedrich Kunzmann

''The leader’s influences are many, but have evolved along with his style: from the early direct influence of Wes Montgomery, which is still present, to Barney Kessel and quite a few others in between. That said, in blending all these influences and inspirations Takamen has been able to distill a personal approach as well as develop considerable compositional skills.''
- The New York City Jazz Record, Marco Cangiano

''This CD is the examplar of some fo the most vibrant new sounds on guitar trio today.''
- Roberta on the Arts

''The seventh set from this post bop guitarist leaves no room for doubt...''
- Midwest Record

Live in Japan

Apple Music
Amazon

Disc One
1. Freddie’s Mood
2. Smile
3. All Waltz
4. Gee, Seventh Avenue
5. Akatonbo (Red Dragonfly)
6. Sjecanja za Pamcenje 
(Memories to Remember)

Disc Two
1. No Easy Days
2. Jimi’s Swing
3. Homeward Bound
4. Strolling in Downtown
5. Wonderful Days
6. Blues for Riley

All compositions by Nobuki Takamen 
except ‘’Akatonbo’’ by Kosaku Yamada

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Naoki Aikawa / Drums

Released on August 17, 2016


''Sometimes there's no substitute for the familiarity that a long playing partnership brings. This is jazz guitar trio music at its finest...''
-  AllAboutJazz, Mark Sullivan

''... A nice, solid jazz trio set of mostly originals... Winning stuff throughout...''
 - Midwest Record
 
Solo Guitar

Apple Music
Amazon

1. Someday
2. I'll Remember Cedar
3. Blues for Riley
4. For the Stranger
5. Lullaby Without Words
6. All Waltz
7. Mr. Wyble
8. Smile
9. From Now on
10. Night Song
11. Wonderful Days

All songs composed and arranged by 
Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar

Released on December 17, 2014


''... Takamen is a master. Beautiful solo guitar... he simply seems to bring the sun out when he plays.''
- Vintage Guitar Magazine

''... His music always swings whether taken at a medium or slow tempo, and Takamen, like Joe Pass, sounds like a complete group by himself... throughout the set invigorates the tradition of straight ahead jazz guitar...''
- The Author of ''The Great Jazz Guitarists'', Scott Yanow

''... Takamen clearly is an extremely gifted improviser and composer, and this is a most advantageous showcase for both of those talents.''
-  Just Jazz, Bob Bernotas

''... What is here is totally enjoyable music, and a truly exceptional solo guitar debut from Nobuki Takamen. He's a jazz guitarist to watch.''
- AllAboutJazz

''Close to being an intimate solo recital in your living room, Takamen has a minimalist's knack for doing so much with very little.''
- Midwest Record

Three Wishes
Summit Records (DCD 594) 

Apple Music
Amazon

1. A Long Way Ahead
2. Freddie's Mood
3. Underground Theme Song
4. Jimi's Swing
5. Greenwich Village Sometimes
6. Three Wishes
7. Scarborough Fair (Traditional)
8. Let's Get Five
9. Homeward Bound

All compositions by Nobuki Takamen 
except where indicated

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Naoki Aikawa / Drums(2, 3, 6, 9)
Akihito Yoshikawa / Drums(1, 4, 5, 7, 8)
Hitoshi Kanda / Piano(5, 8)

Released on August 14, 2012


''... Jim Hall meets Wes Montgomery on their way to a Kenny Burrell show...''
- Critical Jazz 

''... the guitarist serves up roller-coaster, angular melodies, played with care on a clear guitar, picking out one crisp note at a time, letting it ring out before moving to the next... Nobuki is best in a simple trio setting...''
- DownBeat Magazine

''Hiroshima-born and New York-based guitarist Nobuki Takamen is a fast rising jazz star, thanks to his flawless skills as an instrumentalist and improviser. Takamen, however, is also an exciting composer, as his fourth album Three Wishes clearly demonstrates.''
 - Chicago Jazz

''... Nobuki Takamen keeps the sound to either a trio or quartet on this impressive collection of originals...''
- George W. Harris

Live at the Iridium
Summit Records (DCD 547)

Apple Music
Amazon

1. Strolling in Downtown
2. 14-1
3. Smile
4. One Big Shot
5. Union Square Nobels
6. The Other Side of City

All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Hitoshi Kanda / Piano (except 5)
John Lenis / Bass
Yutaka Uchida / Drums

Released on July 13, 2010


''... a mature player with keen sense of composition [and] considerable technical skills...''
- Vintage Guitar Magazine

''... an excellent improviser in his own bop-inspired style... Live at the Iridium, Nobuki Takamen's most satisfying recording so far, displays an increasingly mature and vital soloist performing with an excellent band.''
- LA Jazz Scene

'' Japanese born guitarist Takamen urges absolutely HUGE, warm tones and lyrical melodies from his Gibson ES-335.''
- GuitarOmnivore

''His playing rangers from stunning to delicate, and always possesses a sense of great musicianship and taste.''
- JSO Jazz Scene

FROM NOW ON
What's New Records (WNCJ-2192)

Apple Music
Amazon

1. C.M.G.
2. Scenes
3. One Big Shot
4. Smile
5. Like Blue
6. 3 x 4
7. Message for the Messengers
8. Nebergall Loop
9. Nine
10. From Now on

All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Bryan Beninghove / Tenor Sax(1,6,9)
Hitoshi Kanda / Piano
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Makoto Kikuchi / Drums

Released on October 22, 2008


''... prodigious technique... strong and lyrical melodies akin to James Taylor's, which sink into the mind, inviting subconscious lyric-writing from even the most casual listen.'' (5 Stars)
- AllAboutJazz, Dave Major

''... he constructs his compositions with an ear to the sum of all instruments, not to highlight his own skills... ''
- The Gear Page

''Takamen has a consistently mellow tone and a style that ranges from relaxed to fiery.''
- LA Jazz Scene, Scott Yanow
Bull's Blues 
What's New Records (WNCJ-2168)

Apple Music
Amazon

1. Bull's Blues
2. 14-1
3. For the Stranger
4. No Chance
5. Strolling in Downtown
6. The Other Side of City
7. After Dinner
8. Homage
9. Union Square Nobels

All songs composed by Nobuki Takamen

Nobuki Takamen / Guitar
Ro Hasegawa / Tenor Sax(1-4, 8)
Hitoshi Kanda / Piano(except 9)
Toshiyuki Tanahashi / Bass
Makoto Kikuchi / Drums

Released on June 21, 2006


''... 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.''
- Just Jazz Guitar

''The tunes are moremorable and dynamic with tight arrangements and of course, great playing from all involved. ... a keen sense of melody and taste...'' 
- Jazz Guitar Life (Canada)

''Takamen transmits a jazz vibe, steeped within good cheer and excellence in execution throughout this appealing set.'' 
- Glenn Astarita

Physical CDs (with my autograph) are available for purchase. $20 ($30 for 2 disc-album) plus regular shipping and handling fee (the USA). International shipping is TBA. Please contact to purchase the CD(s).

All the albums are available for downloading/streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.


<As a Sideman>

secret / Mamiko Taira

New Chapter / Eva Kano

Plays Count Basie Directed by Akihito Yoshikawa /
Original Hard Jazz Orchestra (M581 Records)

HORIZON / YAZ Band

Jazz Christmas for You / Eva Kano

Four Seasons / T. Nakanishi & Keypoint

Come in From the Cold / Eric J. Smith