Artist Bio
Takaaki Maeda is a Japanese jazz guitarist born in Miyazaki Prefecture in 1990. He began playing guitar at the age of 15 under the influence of his father and later moved to London at the age of 20 to immerse himself in music and culture abroad.
While living in the UK, he discovered jazz through the music of Bucky Pizzarelli. Inspired by Pizzarelli’s style and sound, he began studying jazz and performing in bars and pubs throughout England.
After returning to Japan, Takaaki established himself as a professional jazz guitarist, performing extensively throughout Tokyo and the Kanto region. His work includes solo guitar performances as well as collaborations with vocalists, violinists, pianists, and horn players. He has also contributed guitar tracks and music production for various projects and has collaborated with artists both in Japan and internationally.
Since 2019, he has studied under Hirofumi Asaba. In 2022, he was featured as a player on the official website of American Archtop Guitars. In 2025, he released his debut album, One String Missing.
Known for his warm swing-oriented sound and deep appreciation for classic jazz guitar tone, Taka continues to perform, record, and share his music throughout Japan.
Photo by Atsuki Takizawa
