Friday Night: San Jose Taiko in Keene, NH

Hanging out with San Jose Taiko after their show.

Wow!

One of the early numbers was a piece involving passing accented rhythms back and forth between two pairs of drummers.  I hope I can develop timing like that one day!  (Not only good timing, but the ability to execute it with lively energy.)

I was also impressed by Hana Hachijo peformed by PJ Hirabayashi (Karen’s Aunt!).  Her stance strong, her movements powerful, each stroke incredibly smooth…  her style was noticeably different from what I learned in a workshop with Chieko Kojima last September, but every bit as mesmerizing.

Those are just a couple of highlights from a truly enthralling performance, which ended with the performers dancing their way out the doors at the back of the theater, encouraging the audience to follow and mingle.

Afterwards, we (Tanya, Joy, Dave B, Karen, Amir, and I) got to hang out with the group over food and beer.  What a terrific bunch!

Saturday Night: Taiko Project in Stamford, CT

Gasp!

The show opened with a video montage on the history of North American Taiko, which blended smoothly into the first song, as they quickly established their exuberant performing personae.

The Stage is Set

The rest of the first act demonstrated a sincere respect for our taiko heritage, paying homage both to their own parents and to the people and groups that gave birth to our art form.  The sequence of song and video constructed a compelling story which climaxed with Tsunami at the end of the first act.  Tsunami was such a frenzy that Maz’ hachimaki flew off in the middle of the song.

The second act opened with ‘Behind the Odaiko’, a magnificent Odaiko solo performed with all the traditional trimmings…  plus we got to find out what the soloist (Bryan Yamami) was thinking (especially what he was thinking about his costume).  Diane suggests that our costume committee consider fundoshi for our next performance, as they make quite an impact on the audience.

Not all of their costumes were so traditional.  They switched between modern American athletic wear, clothing that hinted of traditional villages, and very nice taiko hapi…  by the end of the program they were in t-shirts and jeans.  Their clothing was always well suited to the piece and the story.

The performance drew to an energetic and elegant close with ‘Omiyage‘, followed by an encore on slung drums and accessories.

How do I sum up all that skill and energy in one place?  Inspiring?  Awe inspiring?  Something like that.

I would have loved to stay and socialize…  but some of us had to get back to Boston.

Sunday Afternoon: Yoyo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble at Symphony Hall

Sigh!

The Silk Road Project is a wonderful concept inspired by the musical traditions found along the historic silk road.  It’s about cultural exchange through music…  That means that the music of the ensemble was influenced by many cultures from the Mediterranean to Japan.

This concert opened with an improvisation duet: shakuhachi and bawu, played while wandering through the audience.  It was lovely.  This was followed by a series of movements which combined haunting melodies and compelling rhythms.  I think my favorite piece rhythmically was the Saidi Swing which is based on a rhythm originally from upper Egypt, and which heavily featured the wonderful sounds of the Tabla.

While nothing could make up for the absence of taiko , it was a breathtaking combination of musical traditions… definitely worth carrying with me back to the dojo.

And in between all these inspiring performances, how did I spend my weekend?

Finishing my taxes!

Meg Suzuki, back in her days with ONE, hanging out with the members of KODO. Meg, did you really bake cookies with the KODO logo?

Several members of ONE trekked to Keene, NH, to witness the cyclone known as San Jose Taiko rock the Colonial Theater. ONE has a direct connection to SJT in the person of Meg Suzuki; before she left ONE to join SJT’s artistic staff, Meg-sensei taught the classic taiko song Yatai Bayashi and more to me and fellow Community Member Kate, among others.  Meg’s success and continuing taiko excellence as a member of SJT is inspiring!

Adam Weiner - from the San Jose website

SJT’s opening song began not with a sonic boom, but rather an odaiko conversation the soloist had with the audience. The crowd was swiftly yet subtly engaged and drawn in to the piece, as the song’s sonic signature evolved.  The ensemble performed the next composition; observing the members’ kata, whether it was unfolding in unison or shifting in waves of synchronous movement, I thought my eyes beheld a taiko kaleidoscope.

The range of moods, sounds and rhythms of the journey SJT shared with the audience during the course of the concert, as well as within each composition, reminded me of a classical musician’s recital program. Just as a classical recital draws upon the music of different composers and eras to create dynamic and varied soundscapes, so too did SJT’s imaginative set.  Their creative use of percussion accessories, especially during transitions, was outstanding. Even the songs provided mini-journeys: each composition’s multiple sections featured embedded themes and choreography serving as audio-visual reference points.

Two indelible images resonate still from that concert: Meg Suzuki lightly skipping and joyfully bounding across the stage, spinning melody after melody on her fue, and my new taiko hero, Adam Weiner, the ‘tall guy’ in the group, beginning a solo on his knees (!) – reaching up with his wingspan to strike the elevated drums.