Album Notes

''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 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

''Takamen continues his seamless merging of lyrically-resplendent compositions, with peppery, in-the-pocket grooves.''
—Glenn Astarita, JazzReview.com

''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


FROM NOW ON (What's New Records) is the second release by guitarist/composer Nobuki Takamen. This album, with Hitoshi Kanda on piano, Toshiyuki Tanahashi on bass, Makoto Kikuchi on drums and Bryan Beninghove on Tenor Sax (on track 1, 6, 9 ), features ten of his compositions and has been featured in publications such as Jazz Guitar Book (vol. 19), Jazz Life Magazine, Swing Journal and Jazz Critique Magazine.

Guitarist Nobuki Takamen was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1977. A jazz historian Scott Yanow describes him as ''an excellent improviser in his own bop-inspired style''. John Heidt of Vintage Guitar Magazine has also written about him: ''a mature player with keen sense of composition, considerable technical skill...''.

A mainstay of the New York jazz scene, Nobuki leads his own group which has appeared at festivals and jazz clubs including the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Rochester Jazz Festival, the Hartford Jazz Festival, the Medicine Hat Jazz Fest, the Calgary Jazz Festival, Blue Note NY and Iridium Jazz Club. He has also toured annually throughout Japan since 2004.

Nobuki has made two albums as a leader for What's New Records. Both his first album ''Bull's Blues'' (2006) and his second ''FROM NOW ON'' (2008), featuring his quintet, quartet and trio, are comprised entirely of his original compositions. His latest release ''Live at the Iridium'' (2010), released on Summit Records, presents a complete, uncut performance from a set at Iridium Jazz Club recorded two weeks after his first Canadian tour in 2009.

Besides leading his group, Nobuki frequently performs solo and has performed solo concerts at various venues including the Montreal Jazz Festival as part of 100% Guitare in 2009.