photo coourtesy L.A. Taiko Ichiza
The Pasadena Public Library’s La Pintoresca Branch is hosting a performance by TaikoProject, a Los Angeles group that won the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest in 2005, on Thursday, May 26, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Presented by the Music Center of Los Angeles County, TaikoProject will present an interactive and dynamic introduction to the music, history, and art of taiko. The program features songs interspersed with specific assets of how taiko has made its way to modern day America.
TaikoProject was founded in 2000 by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers led by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba. The group continues to refine their unique style of taiko performance, blending traditional forms with an innovative and fresh aesthetic.
After besting all of the Japanese taiko groups in the Tokyo International Taiko Contest in 2005, they were cast in the Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial that year, the first and still only national advertising campaign to prominently feature taiko. Since then, the group has performed on the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, NBC’s “The Voice,” Syfy’s Face/Off, The X-Factor, the “Up in the Air” music video, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, and were honored with the prestigious Visionary Award from East West Players.
In 2021, the Ford Foundation, in association with the J. Paul Getty Trust and the California Community Foundation, recognized TaikoProject as one of “America’s Cultural Treasures.” In Summer 2021, the troupe recorded audio tracks that were used as part of the Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony, and in 2022, they were featured in Lisa Ling’s “Take Out” limited series on HBO Max.
Attendance at Thursday’s performance is free and open to all ages.
For more information, call the Pasadena Public Library at (626) 744-7268 or visit https://pasadena.evanced.info/
The La Pintoresca Branch Library is at 1355 N. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena. The performance will be outside.
