Hidè Takemoto

YAMAHA Music London Ambassador of 2024. Hidè’s ‘magic fingers’ blends jazz, pop, rock, Indian, Spanish, Celtic, Japanese, blues and heavy metal on his guitar. “My jaw was on the floor that he isn't an huge act and was just the opener, as he was possibly the most talented guitarist I've heard live in about 20 years.” — Simon Phillips from Whisperin and Hollerin “Beautiful. The melody sounds great.” — Grammy Award winner David Russell, on ‘Dear Mum,’ “…so very beautiful. You made me cry.” — Welsh traditional folk-singer/harpist Siân James on Welsh folk song arrangements. Classically trained in Japan and at prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London, Hidè epitomises the tradition, compounding classical literacy and the finger-style artistry. Hidè’s music were featured on Japanese TV program as well as numerous radio in the UK including Monocle Radio with his work with Rié. As a composer, Hidè wrote many music including American calligrapher Thomas Ingmire’s project as well as ‘My Gentle Roses’ for Duo Ueda, which was published on Gendai Guitar magazine in January 2020. Hidè’s guitar technique can be traced back via Keigo Fujii, José Luis Gonzaléz, Andrés Segovia, Miguel Llobet to the great Francisco Tárrega.