Norihiro Kikuta is a Japan-born, New York–based guitarist, bandleader, and educator whose music blends jazz, soul, blues, and reggae into a distinctive sound shaped by his Japanese roots and American experience. He leads the Norihiro Kikuta Trio / Quartet, performing original compositions alongside selected standards at venues and festivals throughout the United States and Japan.

Born and raised in Sapporo, Japan, Norihiro was drawn to Chicago blues at an early age and began performing professionally at eighteen. After extensive gigging throughout Tokyo, he was accepted into Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he studied performance and composition with renowned educators and musicians, graduating with honors in 2008. During his time at Berklee, he performed widely, recorded as a sideman and co-writer, and toured internationally, including performances in Canada and Japan.

Since relocating to New York City, Norihiro has established himself as both a bandleader and a highly versatile collaborator. He has performed at venues such as Rockwood Music Hall, Shrine World Music Venue, Tomi Jazz, Silvana, Flatbush Frolic! (NYC), as well as JZ Brat (Tokyo), Hey-Joe (Yokohama), and leading venues across Tokyo and Sapporo.

As a sideman and featured guitarist, Norihiro has collaborated with a wide range of critically acclaimed artists across jazz, soul, and reggae, including members of Grammy-winning and Billboard-charting projects. His collaborations include work with The Frightnrs (Daptone Records, Billboard #1 Reggae Albums), Top Shotta Band featuring Screechy Dan, vocalist and Ableton artist Erin Barra, producer Victor Axelrod (Amy Winehouse Back to Black), percussionist Keita Ogawa (Snarky Puppy), Ayanna Irish (Booker T. Jones), and members of projects led by Brendan Landis (Of Plants), Nori Naraoka, and Russell Batiste Jr. These collaborations have taken him from intimate jazz clubs to large festival stages and internationally recognized venues.

Norihiro’s releases as a leader have been met with critical acclaim. His EP Vegetable Soup (2012) was praised for its cohesive storytelling and restraint, while his 2018 release Oporo, composed, produced, and performed entirely by himself, was described by All About Jazz critic James Fleming as “small jewels that can be held in the delicate palms,” highlighting the music’s intimacy and refined character.

In addition to his work as a performer, Norihiro has appeared as a pit musician in critically acclaimed Off-Broadway productions and has performed extensively in church, festival, and large-ensemble settings. He also maintains a strong connection to New York City’s reggae scene, performing regularly with leading artists and bands in the genre.

As an educator, Norihiro has taught in both Japan and the United States, working with beginner-to-intermediate guitarists and developing an accessible approach to jazz harmony, chord structure, and musical expression. His teaching includes preparing students for NYSSMA examinations and guiding them toward successful results.