Daisuke Abe
Guitarist / Composer / Educator
Daisuke Abe is a highly accomplished guitarist and composer known for his lyrical improvisation, deep musicality, and strong sense of tradition. Since moving to New York City in 2002, he has established himself as a sought-after performer and recording artist on the international jazz scene.
JazzTimes described Abe as “an accomplished player with a penchant for penning appealing melodies” (February 2006), while DownBeat praised his playing as being “rooted in tradition, and more importantly, consistently expressive” (April 2013).
His debut album On My Way Back Home (Nagel-Heyer Records, 2005) features nine original compositions and a stellar lineup including Aaron Parks, Walter Smith III, Gretchen Parlato, Matt Brewer, and Rodney Green. The album marked his arrival as a formidable bandleader and composer.
In 2008, Abe co-founded the quintet UoU, an ensemble of Japanese musicians exploring jazz with a distinct blend of modern sensibility and cultural roots. Their debut album Home (Tippin’ Records, 2010) reached #1 for two consecutive weeks on the JazzWeek World radio chart and was praised by AllAboutJazz for its “polished distinctiveness and original compositions.” The group’s second album, Take the 7 Train (2013), further cemented their reputation for forward-thinking artistry. Dan Ouellette of DownBeat referred to UoU as “one of the most adventurous young bands that is auspiciously exploring jazz with its national heritage in mind.”
Throughout his two decades in the U.S., Abe performed at premier venues such as Blue Note New York, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Smalls Jazz Club, and Cleopatra’s Needle, both with his own bands and as a sideman. His collaborations include performances with Gregory Porter, Mark Turner, Jon Cowherd, Anthony Wonsey, Walter Blanding, Marcus Printup, John Ellis, Jaleel Shaw, and many others.
Abe’s musical journey began in Tokyo, Japan, where he started playing guitar at the age of fifteen. He graduated at the top of his class from Senzoku Gakuen College in 1999, then earned a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, graduating in 2002. While at Berklee, he studied with legendary educators such as Hal Crook, Tiger Okoshi, and George Garzone. In 2001, he was awarded the prestigious Louis Bellson Award for outstanding musicianship.
After two decades in the United States, Abe returned to Japan in 2020, expanding his musical activities in both performance and education. He has since worked with artists like Little Glee Monster and Ohashi Trio, and continues to perform regularly with his own band at venues including Shinjuku Pit Inn.
In addition to performing, Abe is deeply committed to music education, offering lessons, workshops, and sharing insights through his YouTube series “Session no Kokoroe”—a platform where he brings his international experience to a new generation of musicians.
Website: www.daisukeabe.com