Minor Earthquake to Hit Occidental College October 14th
Topic: Taiko

Celebrating 15 Years of Taiko

 

October 14, 2006   7:30pm

Occidental College, Thorne Hall

1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041

 

 

Photo: Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi

 

(Los Angeles, CA, October 14, 2006) – On October 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. taiko lovers, as well as world music enthusiasts will have a unique opportunity to hear two of California’s most renowned taiko groups, Venice Koshin Taiko and Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi, as they celebrate 15 years of playing taiko at Taiko Festival XI.

 

The concert, which is to be held at Thorne Hall on the Occidental College campus, will treat the audience to an evening of diverse taiko performances featuring invited guest performers Jodaiko, Makoto Taiko and Yoki Daiko,  two world premieres, and Thunder, one of the largest drums in North America.

 

 

Master Etsuo Hongo, Artistic Director of the groups, says, “This concert will fuse the traditional rhythms and feelings of Japanese taiko with the contemporary styles of North American drumming. The groups’ training and intense focus has been on capturing the Japanese feeling and sound and transcending to a high-level of performance art.” 

 

 

For 15 years, Venice Koshin Taiko has been mesmerizing audiences with the rich sounds of the taiko drums. In high demand, they have performed for the premier of Microsoft’s XBOX 360, LA Marathon, Nickelodeon, Viper Room for Hunter S. Thompson, and the Auto Dealers Association.  Koshin means "bright spirit" and aptly describes the vigor and enthusiasm the group exhibits both on and off stage. Koshin Taiko, the only taiko group in the U.S. that exclusively plays the okedo-daiko (drums tightened by ropes), incorporates powerful sounds and distinctive movements with concentration, discipline, and harmony. Virginia Minami, who played the Taiko lead in a Mitsubishi commercial, is Associate Director of the group. She states, "We want our local audiences to appreciate this cultural treasure – its diversity, history, and spirituality.”

 

Under the guidance of Master Etsuo Hongo, Los Angeles Taiko Okida-Gumi has been invited to perform at some of the largest taiko gatherings in the United States, including the International Taiko Festival and the North American Taiko Conference. The group, whose drums are made from oak wine barrels, has also performed at the U.S. Sumo Open, Tokyo City Cup at Santa Anita Park, and local community events. Okida-Gumi, which includes children as young as nine, seeks to raise the level of intensity and enjoyment of taiko for themselves, as well as the audience, by striving for a high level of group unity.

 

 

With its roots in the folk tradition of Japan, the taiko drum has served many purposes: priests played it to chase evil spirits and insects from the rice fields while the samurai used its powerful beat to bolster their courage and to instill fear in the enemy. Villagers would play the taiko to pray for rain, enliven festivals, and give thanks for bountiful harvests. 

 

 

Taiko playing in North America began 35 years ago, growing steadily in popularity thanks to TV commercials, as well as prominent films such as Rising Sun, Hero, Charlie’s Angels, Memoirs of a Geisha, and currently has over 250 groups in the United States and Canada. 

 

 

This concert will bring the taiko experience to a wider audience and showcase the innovation of taiko drumming in the Southern California community.

 

 

For all who wish to attend the concert, tickets are $25. To reserve tickets, go to http://taikofestival.koshintaiko.org or call (818) 995-1335.

 

Descanso Gardens : Asian Concert by On Ensemble, July 9 (Sun) 2 to 3 p.m.
Topic: Taiko
Seeking to explore new realms for traditional Japanese drums, On Ensemble incorporates varied musical influences into a unique and provocative performance. With powerful taiko music at its foundation, centuries-old Noh and Kabuki mingle with contemporary, experimental composition and combust into ground-breaking music.

The On Ensemble utilizes Japanese drums hand-made by Miyamoto Unosuke Shouten instrument maker to the Emperor of Japan. Drums are interlaced with dance, bamboo flute, koto (Japanese zither), and Tuvan overtone singing. The concert, part of this summer’s Under the Oaks World Music Tour, is free with Gardens admission.

Theater seating is first come, first served.

Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Ca?ada Flintridge, near the interchange of the #2 and #210 freeways.

The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Christmas Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $7 for adults; $5 for seniors and students; $2 for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 5 and younger.

Fees for classes and programs include Gardens admission.

For information call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.DescansoGardens.org.

Descanso Gardens is accredited by the American Association of Museums.

Emerging taiko drummers to perform at Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood, Jul. 8
Topic: Taiko
The TaikoProject, emerging taiko group in Los Angeles, brings their pulse-pounding drumming virtuosity to a special summer performance, "Rhythmic Relations 2006," on Saturday, July 8 at 8 p.m. at Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Tickets are $35 and $30. Tickets for students and children under 12 are $12. For seats, call Ford Amphitheatre at (323) 461-3673 or visit www.FordAmphitheatre.org.

"Rhythmic Relations 2006" performers includes TaikoProject’s sister groups Bombu Taiko and Kitsune Taiko of the Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles, and UCLA Yukai Daiko.

"Rhythmic Relations 2006" presents performances by an extended family of affiliated Los Angeles-based groups, who have supported one another’s respective endeavors as well as shared the stage in community performances such as at obon (festival of the dead), hanamatsuri (Buddha’s Birthday celebration), and cherry blossom festivals.

The different approaches of these four groups represent the range that currently characterizes American taiko: Buddhist-temple-based community groups, children’s groups, collegiate groups, and professional performing groups.

The Taikoproject, founded in 2000, is preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances. The ensemble's work balances the traditions and rich history of American taiko with a contemporary edge exploring new dimensions in taiko.

This event is part of the Ford Amphitheatre 2006 Season, a multi-disciplinary arts series produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County- based arts organizations.

(Photo)
TaikoProject

Taiko Fest at Biola University, Feb. 11
Topic: Taiko
Biola University in La Mirada presents Taiko Fest on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at 13800 Biola Ave., La Mirada, CA 90639. This year the festival will be featuring Koshin Taiko and Kishin Daiko.

Taiko Fest is an event that was originally started on the campus to expose students and the community who are not familiar with Taiko to it's beauty and energy. It is now an event open to the public. For more info call (562) 944-0351 ext 5832.

Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble East Meets West
Topic: Taiko
Nov. 17 (Thu) 4:15 –5:30 p.m. Pomona College in Claremont, Lyman Hall
Nov. 20 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Aratani Japan America Theatre, Little Tokyo

Nov. 17 (Thu) 4:15 –5:30 p.m. Pomona College in Claremont, Lyman Hall
“Tradition is a basis for innovation,” says Kenny Endo, a world-acclaimed American musician of Japanese taiko music. He is one of the very few non-Japanese musicians to have earned the Japanese natori title of “master.”

The Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble East & West combines musicians from the U. S. and Tokyo to form a group that is as high-caliber as it is eclectic.

In this lecture-demonstration, they will play not only original compositions for taiko (drums), koto (zither), and bamboo flutes, but also percussion instruments from other parts of the world, highlighting the new dimensions of Endo’s creativity, combining the musical traditions and innovations of East and West.

This concert is open to the public and free of charge.

The concert is organized by Asian Studies Program, and co-sponsored by the departments of Music and Theatre/Dance, and Pacific Basin Institute in Pomona College.

For information about the program, contact Prof. Kyoko Kurita at (909) 621-8933 or Pacific Basin Institute at (909) 607-8065 or lucy.chang@pomona.edu


Nov. 20 (Sat) 4:00 p.m. Aratani Japan America Theatre, Little Tokyo
In a true fusion of musical styles, Kenny Endo and featured members of his three taiko ensembles spanning the globe from Honolulu to Los Angeles and Tokyo will celebrate his 30 years of taiko drumming with a nationwide tour.

The “East Meets West” tour features some of the world’s most innovative and talented musicians and artists playing original compositions for taiko, koto, bamboo flutes, vibraphones and Latin, world and Japanese percussion instruments.

The program represents Endo’s interest in contemporary taiko performance, combining Japanese classical drumming with world music and western jazz styles.
Guest Artists: Masakazu Yoshizawa, bamboo flutes, taiko, percussion; Yoshinori Nomi, Latin & Japanese percussion; Eric Chang, taiko and percussion; Hitoshi Hamada, vibraphones; Shoko Hikage, koto; Hiroshi Tanaka, taiko.

Tickets are $35 orchestra, $32 balcony and for JACCC members and groups of 10 or more $30, $27. Box office (213) 680-3700. www.jaccc.org

Kaoru Watanabe and Shoji Kameda at Little Tokyo, Oct. 6
Topic: Taiko
October 6, 2005
Japanese American National Museum
369 East First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: Free, Time: 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Tel: 213-625-0414
www.janm.org

Kaoru Watanabe Biography:

Born in St. Louis, MO in 1975. Grew up in a musical household- father a violinist and mother a harpist in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Began playing flute at 13 and studied with St. Louis Symphony flutist Jan Smith.

Graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in northern Michigan where he gained orchestral and jazz group experience. Moved to New York to study at the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz flute/ saxophone major and performed and recorded with, among others, Blue Note recording artists Stefon Harris and Jason Moran.

Also joined New York based Japanese drumming (taiko) group Soh Daiko and became heavily interested in Japanese music. After graduating, moved to Japan and studied Noh Kan and Edo Matsuri Bayashi styles of fue (bamboo flute) in Tokyo.

Entered the two years apprenticeship program for the internationally touring taiko group Kodo and became a performing member in the year 1999. Since joining Kodo, Kaoru has performed and recorded with Kodo in 16 different countries, performing with such luminaries as Zakir Hussein, Aierto Moreira, Giovanni Hildago and Carlos Nunez.

He specializes in the various fue, composing and acting as artistic director of Kodo's annual world music festival, Earth Celebration.

Shoji Kameda Biography:

Shoji Kameda is one of North America’s brightest young taiko performers.

Shoji's introduction to the Japanese drum came at the age of 8 with Shasta Taiko, one of the first children's groups to form in the US.

Since then he has studied, performed and recorded with renowned masters of traditional and contemporary music in the United States and Japan. In 2002 he founded the On Ensemble with Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom and Michelle Fujii.

Now living in Los Angeles he maintains an active schedule performing and recording with On Ensemble and pioneering jazz fusion band, Hiroshima. Recently he has started composing taiko music for film and is currently scoring his first documentary.

TAIKOPROJECT Biographies
Topic: Taiko
The TAIKOPROJECT founded in 2000, is an ensemble of America's premiere, emerging taiko drummers dedicated to preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances.

The ensemble's work balances the traditions and rich history of American taiko with a contemporary edge exploring new dimensions in taiko.

TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation, their latest creative effort, was a refreshing, new expression of taiko artistry, effortlessly blending taiko with storytelling, spoken word, music, hip hop choreography, video multi-media, and dance.

The production made its world premiere tour Fall, 2003 - Spring, 2004 to Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University Public Events, Meany Hall at the University of Washington World Series, the Japan America Theatre at the JACCC, the Mondavi Center at UC Davis, and the Kenneth Ford Theater at the College of the Siskiyous.

Following this, the TAIKOPROJECT developed collaborations with a diverse group of prestigious artists, including klezmer clarinetist Leo Chelyapov, Vietnamese pop singer Bao Han, Chicano rock band Quetzal, internationally-acclaimed European DJ Tiesto, and Vancouver's Chibi Taiko.

In Spring, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT performed in Mitsubishi Motors of North America's innovative National Ad Campaign "Taiko Drums," featuring women from the group in a breathtaking 60-second commercial spot that was one of the highest-rated commercials of 2005 when it aired.

The TAIKOPROJECT then performed for the most prestigious taiko concert in North America-- "Taiko Jam '05," as part of the 2005 North America Taiko Conference.

The group was also invited to perform for the Hollywood Bowl's prestigious "Summer Sounds" program, working with the L.A. Philharmonic Education Division.

TAIKOPROJECT has been recognized with grant awards from the Durfee Foundation, the City of Los Angeles, Cultural Affairs Department, and has been involved in projects funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the Western States Arts Foundation.

TAIKOPROJECT
505 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel: (213) 268-4011
Fax: (213) 626-6050
info@TAIKOPROJECT.com
www.TAIKOPROJECT.com

A Benefit Concert to Send the TAIKOPROJECT to Japan, Oct. 8
Topic: Taiko
Los Angeles, CA - The TAIKOPROJECT presents the "IKUZO: A Benefit Concert to Send TAIKOPROJECT to Japan." on Saturday, October 8 at 8 pm. The concert takes place at the Senshin Buddhist Temple, located at 1341 W. 37th St. in Los Angeles, California. Ticket packages begin at $25. To purchase tickets or to make a donation, call (626)288-7498. Convenient parking is located in the adjacent parking lot.

In August, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT was selected as one of 12 finalists out of over 60 applicants to participate in the 5th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest, the largest and most prestigious taiko competition in the world. In addition, the TAIKOPROJECT has the distinction of being the first American taiko group to participate in the contest, making this year's contest especially historical.

The 5th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest takes place on October 15 - 16, 2005, at the Olympic Youth Center in the Shibuya District of Tokyo, Japan. The TAIKOPROJECT cast departs a few days earlier to prepare for their performance, rehearsing at taiko studios throughout Tokyo, while connecting with local taiko groups and visiting various taiko leaders in Japan.

Their performance takes place on October 16, following the "Youth Group" category performances and the "O-daiko" solo category performances. They are in the "Adult Performing Group" category. For the "Adult Performing Group" category, participating groups play a compulsory song, "Beat/Essence II," by acclaimed composer Maki Ishii (composer of Kodo's classic "Monochrome"), as well as an original song. The TAIKOPROJECT has chosen to play "Omiyage," with an "Expanding" intro.

With the hopes of representing American taiko at this prestigious gathering, but faced with the task of self-producing the trip, the TAIKOPROJECT performs in this special one-night-only benefit concert to fund their first-ever tour to Japan.

This marks the first time American taiko will be shared with the Japanese taiko community at this gathering. American taiko groups rarely have opportunities to perform in Japan, so the TAIKOPROJECT members are adding extra rehearsals to be fully prepared for the contest.

Join us for an evening of TAIKOPROJECT favorites and the debut of "Beat/Essence II." The 30-minute performance will be followed by a post-show reception with the artists. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to cover the expenses of traveling to Japan to participate in the contest.

Performance and Lecture by Jodaiko of UC Irvine, Sept. 11
Topic: Taiko
The Orange County Japanese American Association will present a taiko performance and seminar on Sunday, Sept. 11, starting at 2:00 p.m. at the Yamaha Music Center in Woodbridge Village Shopping Center, 4620 Barranca Parkway, Irvine. Admission is free but advance reservations are necessary. Call Kimiko Fujita at (949) 559- 8700.

The unique feature of the event is its educational component. The taiko performance is followed by discussions on the history of the music and use of various musical instruments along with taiko drums.

This special event is performed by the Jodaiko drumming ensemble based on the University of California, Irvine. The group has performed at numerous university assemblies and Japanese American community events in the past 12 years.