The TAIKOPROJECT 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 history of American taiko with a contemporary edge exploring new dimensions in taiko.
History
The TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California. The group was conceived by Bryan Yamami with the idea of bringing together the best young taiko players in North America to create a theatrical show celebrating American taiko. That show, TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation, blends taiko with storytelling, spoken word, music, hip hop choreography, video multi-media, and dance. The show 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 its first tour, the TAIKOPROJECT created a Los Angeles-based cast representing a multitude of various taiko groups. They also developed collaborations with various 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 gained greater acclaim by performing in Mitsubishi Motors of North America's National Ad Campaign "Taiko Drums," featuring women from the group in a 60-second commercial spot. Bryan Yamami was chosen by the RSA Casting to be the lead Creative Consultant for the commercial.
In July 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT performed for "Taiko Jam '05," as part of the 2005 North American Taiko Conference. The group also performed for the Hollywood Bowl's "Summer Sounds" program, working with the L.A. Philharmonic Education Division.
In Fall, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT traveled to Japan for the first time to represent American taiko at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest. As one of 12 finalists out of over 60 groups, the TAIKOPROJECT was the first American taiko group to participate in the event. The TAIKOPROJECT took First Place in the Adult Group category, becoming the first American taiko group to win the contest.
In Summer, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT presented Rhythmic Relations 2006, a joint performance with Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, and UCLA Yukai Daiko at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. They also traveled to Japan to perform at the EXTASIA Festival in Ishikawa-ken, and performed at the Hollywood nightclub Bar Sinister. They ended their summer by performing with the hip hop-apella quartet in their finale for the tv show America's Got Talent.
In Fall, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT was selected for two juried industry showcases at the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) and International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Conferences. TAIKOPROJECT also performed for Opening Night of the Los Angeles Kings' 2006 hockey season at the Staples Center and for the half-time show for the Los Angeles Clippers. In October, 2006, TAIKOPROJECT performed as guest taiko artists with rapper Xzibit for a music concert special on the DirecTV program CD USA.
In Spring, 2007, the TAIKOPROJECT toured "(re)generation" along the West Coast to sold-out houses and exuberant audiences along the West Coast at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, UC San Diego's Mandeville Auditorium, the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, the Washington Center for the Arts, and the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
In Summer, 2007, TP played at the L.A. Coliseum for DYNAMITE 2007, one of the largest mixed-martial arts events in the U.S., broadcast on the Showtime cable network. TP was also cast in David Mamet's 2007 independent film entitled "Red Belt." TP released new signature bachi drumsticks and collaborated with taiko tote-maker extraordinaire Toni Yagami on an innovative new bachi quiver bag. The last summer project in the works is to officially incorporate TP as an official non-profit organization, which we anticipate to culminate next Spring, 2008.
Cast
Current Cast
Bryan Yamami (Artistic Director)
Masato Baba (Musical Director, Original Cast Member)
Jen Baik (Performer)
Byron Yamada (Performer)
Yuri Yoshida (Performer)
Courtney Deguchi (Performer)
Aya Ino (Performer)
Darren Endo (Apprentice)
Adrienne Gunde (Apprentice)
Cherie Lockwood (Apprentice)
Joel Mankey (Apprentice)
Cast Alumni
Naoko Amemiya
Eric Chang
JoAnn Cho
Michelle Fujii
Tiffany Furuta
Kelsey Furuta
Lesley Handa
Shoji Kameda
Julia Kato
Yuta Kato
Charles Kellogg
Carol Lin
Emi Matsushita
Yoko Nishiguchi
Crissy Sato
Vivian Seki
Amy Sugita
Extended Family
Bombu Taiko
Bombu Taiko is a community-based taiko group founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple. Bombu Taiko is instructed by members of the TAIKOPROJECT. Named by Rinban Noriaki Ito after the "Bombu" of Buddhist philosophy, Bombu Taiko has performed throughout Los Angeles at numerous events and gatherings, including the Nisei Week Festival and the L.A. Marathon.
Kitsune Taiko
Kitsune Taiko was founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple along with Bombu Taiko and is named after the mysterious fox (kitsune) of Japanese folklore. The fourteen-member ensemble consists of eight girls, who have claimed the "Shakko," or red fox, and six boys who have claimed "Genko," the black fox as their mascot.
Yukai Daiko
In 2004, Yukai Daiko became the second official taiko group to form at UCLA. Guided by Yuta Kato and Michelle Fujii, ten members attended a week-long camp in Mount Shasta, California to form the group. Yukai, which means "cheerful" or "happy," was chosen to describe the attitudes of its members towards playing and practicing the art of taiko, not simply as individuals but as a group.
History
The TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California. The group was conceived by Bryan Yamami with the idea of bringing together the best young taiko players in North America to create a theatrical show celebrating American taiko. That show, TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation, blends taiko with storytelling, spoken word, music, hip hop choreography, video multi-media, and dance. The show 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 its first tour, the TAIKOPROJECT created a Los Angeles-based cast representing a multitude of various taiko groups. They also developed collaborations with various 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 gained greater acclaim by performing in Mitsubishi Motors of North America's National Ad Campaign "Taiko Drums," featuring women from the group in a 60-second commercial spot. Bryan Yamami was chosen by the RSA Casting to be the lead Creative Consultant for the commercial.
In July 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT performed for "Taiko Jam '05," as part of the 2005 North American Taiko Conference. The group also performed for the Hollywood Bowl's "Summer Sounds" program, working with the L.A. Philharmonic Education Division.
In Fall, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT traveled to Japan for the first time to represent American taiko at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest. As one of 12 finalists out of over 60 groups, the TAIKOPROJECT was the first American taiko group to participate in the event. The TAIKOPROJECT took First Place in the Adult Group category, becoming the first American taiko group to win the contest.
In Summer, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT presented Rhythmic Relations 2006, a joint performance with Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, and UCLA Yukai Daiko at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. They also traveled to Japan to perform at the EXTASIA Festival in Ishikawa-ken, and performed at the Hollywood nightclub Bar Sinister. They ended their summer by performing with the hip hop-apella quartet in their finale for the tv show America's Got Talent.
In Fall, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT was selected for two juried industry showcases at the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) and International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Conferences. TAIKOPROJECT also performed for Opening Night of the Los Angeles Kings' 2006 hockey season at the Staples Center and for the half-time show for the Los Angeles Clippers. In October, 2006, TAIKOPROJECT performed as guest taiko artists with rapper Xzibit for a music concert special on the DirecTV program CD USA.
In Spring, 2007, the TAIKOPROJECT toured "(re)generation" along the West Coast to sold-out houses and exuberant audiences along the West Coast at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, UC San Diego's Mandeville Auditorium, the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, the Washington Center for the Arts, and the Edmonds Center for the Arts.
In Summer, 2007, TP played at the L.A. Coliseum for DYNAMITE 2007, one of the largest mixed-martial arts events in the U.S., broadcast on the Showtime cable network. TP was also cast in David Mamet's 2007 independent film entitled "Red Belt." TP released new signature bachi drumsticks and collaborated with taiko tote-maker extraordinaire Toni Yagami on an innovative new bachi quiver bag. The last summer project in the works is to officially incorporate TP as an official non-profit organization, which we anticipate to culminate next Spring, 2008.
Cast
Current Cast
Bryan Yamami (Artistic Director)
Masato Baba (Musical Director, Original Cast Member)
Jen Baik (Performer)
Byron Yamada (Performer)
Yuri Yoshida (Performer)
Courtney Deguchi (Performer)
Aya Ino (Performer)
Darren Endo (Apprentice)
Adrienne Gunde (Apprentice)
Cherie Lockwood (Apprentice)
Joel Mankey (Apprentice)
Cast Alumni
Naoko Amemiya
Eric Chang
JoAnn Cho
Michelle Fujii
Tiffany Furuta
Kelsey Furuta
Lesley Handa
Shoji Kameda
Julia Kato
Yuta Kato
Charles Kellogg
Carol Lin
Emi Matsushita
Yoko Nishiguchi
Crissy Sato
Vivian Seki
Amy Sugita
Extended Family
Bombu Taiko
Bombu Taiko is a community-based taiko group founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple. Bombu Taiko is instructed by members of the TAIKOPROJECT. Named by Rinban Noriaki Ito after the "Bombu" of Buddhist philosophy, Bombu Taiko has performed throughout Los Angeles at numerous events and gatherings, including the Nisei Week Festival and the L.A. Marathon.
Kitsune Taiko
Kitsune Taiko was founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple along with Bombu Taiko and is named after the mysterious fox (kitsune) of Japanese folklore. The fourteen-member ensemble consists of eight girls, who have claimed the "Shakko," or red fox, and six boys who have claimed "Genko," the black fox as their mascot.
Yukai Daiko
In 2004, Yukai Daiko became the second official taiko group to form at UCLA. Guided by Yuta Kato and Michelle Fujii, ten members attended a week-long camp in Mount Shasta, California to form the group. Yukai, which means "cheerful" or "happy," was chosen to describe the attitudes of its members towards playing and practicing the art of taiko, not simply as individuals but as a group.
Philip Adam Cave (born May 12, 1987 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English footballer, and currently plays for Gateshead. His position is defender.
It was revealed on 22 May 2007 that Cave was about to undergo a trial at American Major League side LA Galaxy. However, it has now been confirmed he joined Gateshead.
Notes and references
It was revealed on 22 May 2007 that Cave was about to undergo a trial at American Major League side LA Galaxy. However, it has now been confirmed he joined Gateshead.
Notes and references
Kris Gate (born January 1, 1985 in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English football player.
A big admirer of Alan Shearer and David Beckham, Kris, a keen pool player, ultimately aims to play for Barcelona, scoring a hat-trick on his debut and then go on to play for England.
He Made his reserve team debut in the Northumberland Senior Cup at Blyth on 23 April 2003 and signed his first professional contract with United on 26 March 2004. Gate made the traveling squad for the 2004/05 Premiership opener at Middlesbrough though he is still to make his first team bow.
In 2005/06 he was an unused substitute in the Premiership match at Blackburn and then spent November 2005 on trial at Grimsby Town.
In the summer of 2007, Gate was released on a free transfer by the new manager of Newcastle Sam Allardyce and signed for Gateshead in September.
A big admirer of Alan Shearer and David Beckham, Kris, a keen pool player, ultimately aims to play for Barcelona, scoring a hat-trick on his debut and then go on to play for England.
He Made his reserve team debut in the Northumberland Senior Cup at Blyth on 23 April 2003 and signed his first professional contract with United on 26 March 2004. Gate made the traveling squad for the 2004/05 Premiership opener at Middlesbrough though he is still to make his first team bow.
In 2005/06 he was an unused substitute in the Premiership match at Blackburn and then spent November 2005 on trial at Grimsby Town.
In the summer of 2007, Gate was released on a free transfer by the new manager of Newcastle Sam Allardyce and signed for Gateshead in September.
The earliest record of public river trips in Peterborough dates back to 1939, just before the Second World War. A steam launch, called 'The Swan' was brought by rail from Oxford to Peterborough by local boat builder Vic Jackson. The train stopped in the middle of the 'Black Bridge' over the Stanground cut, closing the line, and the boat was lowered directly into the river.
Trips operated for a number of years, and at the same time Mr Jackson also operated a fleet of rowing boats at The Embankment - the area becoming arguably the centre of social activity in the city for many years after the war.
Passenger boat trips appear to have ceased, however, sometime after the Second World War - though the river did attract the interest of The Admiralty. In 1946, as part of The Admiralty's attempt at "promoting sea-mindedness" the Motor Torpedo Boat 777 visited Peterborough and acted as HQ for the Sea Cadets. Moored alongside the Customs House, this wooden boat had seen active service in 1945 on the Dutch and Belgian coasts. She remained in Peterborough until the early 1950s.
In 1978 the Ferry Meadows Country Park opened. The Park was developed around gravel pits that resulted from the excavation of millions of tons of sand and gravel. This 'ballast' was used in the construction of roads and houses and the infrastructure for the massive expansion of Peterborough in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the then Government's 'New and Expanding Towns Scheme'.
Two years later, in 1980, a Mr Wright from Kettering had the 'Nene Star' built and started operating boat trips from the park, around the lake and for short distances out onto the River Nene.
Meanwhile, in Stratford upon Avon, a boat (or more correctly, a 'Passenger Ship') called "Gigi" was being launched. She was built for two gentleman friends to operate river trips at Stratford upon Avon. However, within a couple of years the friends had fallen out and it is believed that by the early 1980s Gigi was lying idle.
A few years later, in 1985, a local Peterborough businessman Paul Hook, brought Gigi to Peterborough and renamed her the ‘Key Ferry”. In April of 1985, trading as the Nene Charter Company, he obtained a lease from the Peterborough City Council for some moorings on The Embankment. From here, he was able to pick up and set down passengers for river trips.
Mr Hook was a publican, the owner of the Brewery Tap and later, Charters Bar. He was a pioneer of the 24 hour licensing laws. The City Council at the time had a rule limiting Night Clubs and late night drinking. With his new boat, Mr Hook would set off at about 10 pm and cruise up and down through the city with customers on board drinking and playing music. If any body was standing at the jetty he would pick people up or drop them off and keep going as long as people were drinking.
Later on he started doing daytime public trips and meal trips to the Dog-in-a-Doublet public house at Whittlesey. Thorughout this period, both boats operated from their respective moorings.
By the early 1990’s Mr Hook had bought Charters Bar and put a manager on the Key Ferry. However, that didn't really work out and in 1995 Allan Renton took over the business, renamimg it.
At around the same time, up in Ferry Meadows Country Park, Mr Wright’s Son-In-Law took over, but there were a few problems with his operating procedures. By 1995 his contract had been ended and Allan Renton had been invited to put the Key Ferry in place of the Nene Star.
This he did and the Key Ferry started operating casual trips at Ferry Meadows as well as in the city; whilst still operating private charters from the city centre. Mr Renton carried on like this for only a short time before in 1996 selling the business to David Cogin.
He in turn continued with both Ferry Meadows and the city centre public trips until around 1998, eventually discontinuing the city centre casual trips in favour of Ferry Meadows.
In December 2004, the current owner, Robert Currell, took over. By mid 2005 he had realised that it was uneconomical to keep moving the boat between the city and Ferry Meadows and ceased operating in Ferry Meadows.
In 2006 Key Ferry Cruises was operating private and public charters from the city centre and there were no boat trips available in Ferry Meadows Country Park. Sometime around 1995 the original "Nene Star" had been moored up in Stanground cut and she never moved again - in 2006 still continuing to rot away on her moorings.
Trips operated for a number of years, and at the same time Mr Jackson also operated a fleet of rowing boats at The Embankment - the area becoming arguably the centre of social activity in the city for many years after the war.
Passenger boat trips appear to have ceased, however, sometime after the Second World War - though the river did attract the interest of The Admiralty. In 1946, as part of The Admiralty's attempt at "promoting sea-mindedness" the Motor Torpedo Boat 777 visited Peterborough and acted as HQ for the Sea Cadets. Moored alongside the Customs House, this wooden boat had seen active service in 1945 on the Dutch and Belgian coasts. She remained in Peterborough until the early 1950s.
In 1978 the Ferry Meadows Country Park opened. The Park was developed around gravel pits that resulted from the excavation of millions of tons of sand and gravel. This 'ballast' was used in the construction of roads and houses and the infrastructure for the massive expansion of Peterborough in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the then Government's 'New and Expanding Towns Scheme'.
Two years later, in 1980, a Mr Wright from Kettering had the 'Nene Star' built and started operating boat trips from the park, around the lake and for short distances out onto the River Nene.
Meanwhile, in Stratford upon Avon, a boat (or more correctly, a 'Passenger Ship') called "Gigi" was being launched. She was built for two gentleman friends to operate river trips at Stratford upon Avon. However, within a couple of years the friends had fallen out and it is believed that by the early 1980s Gigi was lying idle.
A few years later, in 1985, a local Peterborough businessman Paul Hook, brought Gigi to Peterborough and renamed her the ‘Key Ferry”. In April of 1985, trading as the Nene Charter Company, he obtained a lease from the Peterborough City Council for some moorings on The Embankment. From here, he was able to pick up and set down passengers for river trips.
Mr Hook was a publican, the owner of the Brewery Tap and later, Charters Bar. He was a pioneer of the 24 hour licensing laws. The City Council at the time had a rule limiting Night Clubs and late night drinking. With his new boat, Mr Hook would set off at about 10 pm and cruise up and down through the city with customers on board drinking and playing music. If any body was standing at the jetty he would pick people up or drop them off and keep going as long as people were drinking.
Later on he started doing daytime public trips and meal trips to the Dog-in-a-Doublet public house at Whittlesey. Thorughout this period, both boats operated from their respective moorings.
By the early 1990’s Mr Hook had bought Charters Bar and put a manager on the Key Ferry. However, that didn't really work out and in 1995 Allan Renton took over the business, renamimg it.
At around the same time, up in Ferry Meadows Country Park, Mr Wright’s Son-In-Law took over, but there were a few problems with his operating procedures. By 1995 his contract had been ended and Allan Renton had been invited to put the Key Ferry in place of the Nene Star.
This he did and the Key Ferry started operating casual trips at Ferry Meadows as well as in the city; whilst still operating private charters from the city centre. Mr Renton carried on like this for only a short time before in 1996 selling the business to David Cogin.
He in turn continued with both Ferry Meadows and the city centre public trips until around 1998, eventually discontinuing the city centre casual trips in favour of Ferry Meadows.
In December 2004, the current owner, Robert Currell, took over. By mid 2005 he had realised that it was uneconomical to keep moving the boat between the city and Ferry Meadows and ceased operating in Ferry Meadows.
In 2006 Key Ferry Cruises was operating private and public charters from the city centre and there were no boat trips available in Ferry Meadows Country Park. Sometime around 1995 the original "Nene Star" had been moored up in Stanground cut and she never moved again - in 2006 still continuing to rot away on her moorings.