Takezo (Yoshinobu Takeda)

Blues Without Borders

Born in Kagawa, Japan and raised in Kyoto, Yoshinobu Takeda—known as
Takezo—discovered his musical voice early. By the age of twelve, he
was already singing in bands and writing original songs, inspired by American
film soundtracks and the soul-defining sounds of The Beatles
and Otis Redding.

That connection wasn’t academic—it was instinctive. Drawn to the emotional
truth of the blues, Takezo made a bold move in 1985, leaving Japan for
San Francisco to immerse himself in the music and culture that shaped the
sound he loved.

Over the decades that followed, Takezo built a reputation as a deeply
respected rhythm-and-blues singer and guitarist. He has shared the stage
with blues legends including Elvin Bishop, Angela Strehli, Joe Louis Walker,
Norton Buffalo, and many others—earning admiration not through imitation,
but through authenticity.

Takezo doesn’t perform the blues as a style—he lives it. His voice carries
grit, warmth, and vulnerability, shaped by years of late-night sets, small
clubs, big stages, and a life fully committed to the music. Every note feels
earned. Every lyric rings true.

There is something rare and powerful about hearing the blues expressed through
a life that bridges cultures. Takezo treats the blues as a living language—
one spoken fluently and honestly, without borders, without pretense.

“Takezo sings the blues as naturally as someone born in Oakland, raised in a
church, and studied with Junior Parker. He was meant to live the blues.”

— Tom Mazzolini, Producer, San Francisco Blues Festival

This is a rare opportunity to experience a true blues artist—raw, soulful,
and deeply human. If you believe in original music, in artists who live the
sound they play, and in the power of live performance, this is a night not
to miss.

Support original music • Support live blues • Support artists who live it