Masayoshi Takanaka
Photo: SorryArii, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Guitarists · b. 1953

Masayoshi Takanaka

Japanese guitarist, composer, arranger, producer (1953-)

Born
27 March 1953
Ōi
Country
Japan
Active
1971–
Record labels
EMI Music Japan, Universal Music Japan
Discography
48 albums

Biography

Masayoshi Takanaka is a jazz musician who plays guitar and bass guitar. Masayoshi Takanaka was born on 27 March 1953 in Ōi. The music is usually filed under jazz fusion, funk and jazz-funk. Record labels: EMI Music Japan and Universal Music Japan. The discography here lists 48 albums, from “SEYCHELLES” (1976) to “SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026” (2026). Honours include Japan Record Awards.

Masayoshi Takanaka (born March 27, 1953) is a Japanese musician and record producer. Known for his virtuosic guitar playing and skilled musicianship, Takanaka rose to fame and achieved commercial success during the 1970s and 1980s. He composes and performs across various different music genres. In a career spanning over 50 years, Takanaka has released more than 20 albums and continues to perform.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

SEYCHELLES 1976 · Kitty Records AN INSATIABLE HIGH 1977 · Kitty Records TAKANAKA 1977 · Kitty Records BRASILIAN SKIES 1978 · Kitty Records On Guitar 1978 · INVITATION JOLLY JIVE 1979 · Kitty Records
Super Takanaka Live! 1980 · Live
T-WAVE 1980 · Kitty Records ALONE 1981 · UNIVERSAL SIGMA 虹伝説 THE RAINBOW GOBLINS 1981
OCEAN BREEZE 1982 · Live
SAUDADE 1982 · Kitty Records CAN I SING? 1983 · Kitty Records 夏・全・開 1984 · Kitty Records
TRAUMATIC 極東探偵団 1985
JUNGLE JANE 1986
Jungle Jane Tour Live 1986 · Live
Rainbow Goblins Story / Live At Budokan 1986 · Live
RENDEZ-VOUS 1987
HOT PEPPER 1988
GAPS! 1989
NAIL THE POCKET 1990
Ballade 1991
One Night Gig 1991
Little Richard Meets Masayoshi Takanaka 1992
AQUAPLANET 1993
WOODCHOPPER'S BALL 1994
Guitar Wonder 1996
虹伝説2: THE WHITE GOBLIN 1997
虹伝説II Live At Budokan 過去へのタイムマシン 1997 · Live
Bahama 1998
WALKIN' 1999
Hunpluged 2000
30th Anniversary Power Live With Friends 2001 · Live
GUITAR DREAM 2001
THE MAN WITH THE GUITAR -recorded at LIVETERIA- 2001
Surf & Turf 2004
Prime Selection 2006
Sadistic Takanaka 2006
夏道 2009
軽井沢白昼夢 2010
40年目の虹 2011
SINGLES-1985〜1994 Complete Best 2013
Takanaka Sings 2013
SUPER STUDIO LIVE! 2014
My Favorite Songs 2015
Super Live 2025 Black Ship in L.A. 2025 · Live
SUPER TAKANAKA WORLD LIVE 2026 2026 · Live · Lagoon Records

Also plays on

Albums where Masayoshi Takanaka is credited as a sideman

1977 いろはにこんぺいとう — 矢野顕子 electric guitar

Awards

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does Masayoshi Takanaka play?

Masayoshi Takanaka is known for playing guitar and bass guitar.

When and where was Masayoshi Takanaka born?

Masayoshi Takanaka was born 27 March 1953 in Ōi.

What are Masayoshi Takanaka's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include SEYCHELLES (1976), AN INSATIABLE HIGH (1977), TAKANAKA (1977), BRASILIAN SKIES (1978) and On Guitar (1978).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.