takuya kuroda

Biography

Takuya Kuroda is a Japanese jazz trumpeter and arranger, born on February 21, 1980, in Ashiya, Hyōgo, Japan. He began his musical journey by joining his school’s big band and was inspired by his older brother, a trombonist, to pursue jazz. By his teenage years, Kuroda was performing in jazz clubs in Kobe and Osaka, developing his skills and musical voice. In 2003, he moved to the United States, initially attending Berklee College of Music in Boston before settling in Brooklyn, New York. He completed his studies at The New School’s College of Performing Arts, graduating in 2006 with a degree in jazz and contemporary music.

Kuroda quickly became an active figure in the New York jazz scene, performing with a diverse array of artists and ensembles, including Akoya Afrobeat and DJ Premier’s BADDER band. He is known for his distinctive sound that fuses soulful jazz, funk, post-bop, fusion, and hip hop influences. Kuroda’s close friendship and collaboration with vocalist José James proved pivotal; he contributed horn arrangements and performances to James’s albums and, in turn, James produced Kuroda’s 2014 Blue Note release, 'Rising Son.' Kuroda has released several albums as a leader, including 'Bitter and High,' 'Edge,' 'Six Aces,' 'Rising Son,' 'Zigzagger,' 'Fly Moon Die Soon,' and 'Midnight Crisp.'

Kuroda’s innovative approach and genre-blending style have earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking musician on the international jazz scene. His work bridges traditional jazz with contemporary sounds, making him a prominent figure in nu jazz and jazz funk circles. Through his recordings and collaborations, Kuroda continues to influence and inspire a new generation of jazz musicians.

Fun Facts

• Kuroda started playing trumpet at age 12 and was initially inspired by his older brother, a trombonist.
• He moved from Japan to the U.S. specifically to pursue jazz studies, first at Berklee College of Music and then at The New School in New York.
• Kuroda’s album 'Rising Son' was produced by José James and released on the legendary Blue Note label, marking a significant milestone in his career.
• He has performed with hip hop legend DJ Premier’s BADDER Band, highlighting his versatility across genres.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Older brother (unnamed trombonist) - Inspired Takuya to play jazz and join big bands; early musical role model (N/A) [childhood and adolescence]

Key Collaborators

• José James - Close friend and frequent collaborator; Kuroda performed and arranged horns on James's albums, James produced Kuroda’s 'Rising Son' (Blackmagic (2010), No Beginning No End (2013), While You Were Sleeping (2014), Rising Son (2014)) [2010–2014]
• Akoya Afrobeat - Band member; performed and recorded with the group (Live performances, recordings) [2000s–2010s]
• DJ Premier (BADDER Band) - Band member; performed and arranged music in DJ Premier’s BADDER Band, which also included bassist Brady Watt (Live performances, arrangements) [2010s]
• Jesse Fischer - Collaborator; performed and recorded together (Various projects) [2010s]

Artists Influenced

• No widely documented specific proteges - Kuroda’s genre-blending style and international profile have influenced emerging jazz and nu jazz musicians, particularly in Japan and New York (N/A) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Everybody Loves The Sunshine (Rising Son)
2. Salty (Um Mar Pra Cada Um,)
3. Rising Son (Rising Son)
4. Green And Gold (Rising Son)
5. Rock With You (1978: Revenge of The Dragon)
6. Must Have Known (EVERYDAY)
7. Very Soon (Add a Zero)
8. Add a Zero (Add a Zero)
9. R.S.B.D - TBG Rise And Fall Remix
10. Depressed to Impress (Add a Zero)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz, #jazz-funk