Beginnings by Taikoza

Their love for the Taiko art form transcends national boundaries, bringing new energy to this ancestral form. Taikoza has performed in Europe, Asia and have extensively toured North America (including Canada and Mexico).

Several of the members have been members of Ondekoza for many years. The members of Taikoza have collaborated with Kodo, San Jose Taiko, SF Taiko Dojo, Oedo Sukeroku Taiko, Kenny Endo Ensemble, Sawai Ensemble, Southern All Stars, Anthony Brown, James Newton, Mayuzumi Toshiro, New York City Opera and many more. Outside of the US, they have toured in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, England, Japan, Canada and Mexico. Taikoza prticipated in the Cherry Blossom Festival( regular performers also for other events at BBG) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, the Beale Street Festival in Memphis and numerous Asian Festivals in colleges and communities on the East Coast.

They also perform regularly for corporate events (Merrill Lynch, Gillette, Ameritech, City of Los Angeles, PriceWaterhouse Coopers). They have presented workshops and presentations for schools in the New York area for Young Audiences, Arts Connection, Lincoln Center Institute and Symphony Space. Members of Taikoza also regularly give workshops to the taiko community in America, Europe and in Japan (the annual Kosa

International Percussion workshops in August, N. America Taiko Conference 1999 and 2001, Sonoma Taiko Camp, Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO, Circle Ensemble Taiko workshop in Leiden, NL and many others).

Concerts in New York, the East Coast, California, Japan and Mexico are scheduled for 2002.

The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates also the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the Koto (a 13 string instrument) to create a new dimension and a powerful impact on the audience. Taikoza uses drum that are 3 feet in diameter and weigh up to 170lbs. The largest is a 6 foot drum that is 4 1/2 in diameter.

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