OSHINOBU TAKEDA, a.k.a. TAKEZO, was born in Kagawa, Japan, and grew up in Kyoto. Takezo began singing in bands and composing music at the age of 12. Among his earliest influences were American movie soundtracks, The Beatles, and Otis Redding.
His instincts brought him to San Francisco, California in 1985 to pursue a career in music. Since then, he has performed as a rhythm and blues singer/guitarist with artists such as Elvin Bishop, Angela Strehli, Joe Louis Walker, Norton Buffalo, and many others.
"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."
