TAIKOPROJECT: Rhythmic Relations 2011 - Outdoor Concert NEW

TAIKOPROJECT, one of America's leading taiko ensemble, returns home to Little Tokyo this summer with a groundbreaking outdoor concert showcasing their exciting new collaborative work with Ryutaro Kaneko. On June 25 at 2 pm & 7:30 pm, TAIKOPROJECT performs in "Rhythmic Relations 2011" at the JACCC Plaza, along with their affiliate groups Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, and Loma Pacific Taiko.

Over the last 11 years, TAIKOPROJECT has established itself as the leading creative force in North American taiko, developing some of the most ground-breaking work and collaborative works in American taiko history to date. In 2000, the group formed and developed an innovative new taiko theatrical production, "(re)generation," which rethought what a taiko concert could be, infusing video, multimedia, dance choreography, storytelling, and hip-hop rhythms into what the LA WEEKLY called "not your mama's taiko, but it may be your hip, younger cousin's."

In 2005, TAIKOPROJECT was selected from an extensive audition process to serve as the creative lead for the now iconic Mitsubishi Eclipse national commercial ad campaign, widely regarded as the first and only major corporate advertising campaign to feature taiko drumming. Also in 2005, TP became the first American taiko ensemble to compete in the Tokyo International Taiko Contest, Japan's most highly regarded taiko contest, and became the first American group to win First Place. They are still the only non-Japanese group to have ever won the top prize. In 2008, TAIKOPROJECT recorded tracks with famed music producer Squeak E. Clean for another major commercial, Nike's "Fast Forward" commercial featuring Kobe Bryant and Maria Sharapova, and after hearing the tracks, hip hop musician Kanye West asked the group to record backing tracks for his national "Glow in the Dark" tour. In 2009, TAIKOPROJECT was selected to perform in the 81st Annual Academy Awards alongside John Legend and A.R. Rahman for the international telecast. In 2010, TAIKOPROJECT was invited to perform with the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars at the famed Greek Theatre in Hollywood, and also with music legend Stevie Wonder at the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee. Most recently, TAIKOPROJECT performed with Usher and Justin Bieber as part of a musical medley at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, broadcast from LA's Staples Center.

Ryutaro Kaneko is considered a living legend in the taiko world, having been a member of the world-famous KODO ensemble from 1987 - 2006. During his time with KODO, he toured to 32 countries and as one of the central artists, performed in over 300 concerts. He has performed in the world's most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall (New York City), the Acropolis (Athens, Greece), Sadler's Wells (London, U.K.), Theatre de la Ville (Paris, France), the Berlin Philharmonic Hall (Berlin, Germany), and at the 100th Anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize Awards (Oslo, Norway). With KODO, he recorded 17 albums, many of which are considered the best taiko recordings ever made. He wrote numerous compositions during his time with KODO, and some of them are still being played today. He also pioneered two of the most influential taiko styles today, chappa (Japanese hand cymbal) playing in accompaniment to taiko, and katsugi okedo (sling drum), and continues to lead workshops and classes in both styles all over the world. Since 2007, he has toured as a solo artist throughout Japan, Africa, and with this performance, the United States.

The creative work developed between TAIKOPROJECT and Ryutaro Kaneko started two years ago when Managing Director Bryan Yamami was asked by Artistic Director Masato Baba, "If you could work with any taiko player in the world, who would it be?" Thinking back to his early taiko days, the answer was easy. Ryutaro Kaneko was the first and only name to come to mind. In the late 1990s, before he formed TAIKOPROJECT, Yamami saw KODO perform at the Wiltern Theatre, and was mesmerized by the group's concert. In particular, he found Kaneko's deft performance on chappa (Japanese cymbals) and katsugi okedo (sling drum) just spectacular. To this day, KODO remains a strong influence and inspiration on TAIKOPROJECT's work. But as Yamami says, "If someone would have told me back in 1997 that someday I'd be performing alongside Kaneko fourteen years later, I'd think they were crazy." He adds, "Now that it is happening, I still think it's crazy!"

The collaborative work developed will show a wide range of creative exchange at its debut in the Rhythmic Relations 2011 concerts. Kaneko will perform a solo work, demonstrating his great skill and technique developed over decades of intensive work with KODO. As the pioneering force in chappa playing, he will lend his talents to guest perform on chappa with TAIKOPROJECT in Baba's "Tsuki E" (To the Moon), a festive, dance-influenced song composed in 2010. Kaneko also wrote a song "Unkai" (Cloud Sea), to be performed by TAIKOPROJECT and Kaneko, inspired by flying over mountaintops and seeing a sea of clouds beneath you. Kaneko is also remixing one of TAIKOPROJECT's songs, "Seiza" (Constellations), which blends the soulful sounds of the yokobue (bamboo flute) with the sublime melodies of the koto (Japanese zither). Finally, rounding out the various types of musical collaborations possible, TAIKOPROJECT's directors Yamami and Baba will be remixing Kaneko's "Bird Island," a high-energy staple in the KODO repertoire.

Rhythmic Relations 2011 shows at 2 pm & 7:30 pm at the JACCC Plaza in Little Tokyo. Tickets are on sale online at www.jaccc.org or by phone (213)680-3700. For group tickets call (213)680-3700. Premium seating packages are available. Visit www.TAIKOPROJECT.com/RR2011 for details.