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San Jose Taiko
To listen to the traditional sound of Japanese music in perfect blend with American rhythm, book your tickets on-line. We provide you premium tickets at attractive rates.
San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 as the out product, by young Asian Americans searching for an outlet to convey their experiences as third generation Japanese Americans, or Sansei. Getting inspired from Japan, the group was attracted towards the empowering sounds of the taiko, the Japanese drum, an instrument that embodies the spiritual essence and heartbeat of Japan and its people, replete with continued possibilities, renewal and transformation.
With its roots in the folk tradition of Japan, the taiko has served many purposes. Priests used taiko to chase evil spirits and insects from the rice fields; samurai used taiko to bolster their courage and to instill fear in the enemy; villagers used taiko to pray for rain, to enliven festivals, and to give thanks for bountiful harvests.
Learning the art of taiko is not an easy thing as it requires selfless dedication, physical endurance, harmony, and a collective spirit. San Jose Taiko has adopted these traditional values and infused the art of taiko blending it with the vitality and freshness of their American spirit. This combination has resulted in creating a dynamic and compelling Asian American art form. With the power and beauty of taiko at its center, San Jose Taiko aims to transcend cultural boundaries and to foster greater understanding of Japanese American culture.
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Artist Biography - San Jose Taiko
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 Sans Jose Taiko play music weaving the traditional Japanese sound with the beats of global rhythms. At San Jose Taiko, Japanese, African, Balinese, Latin, American rock and jazz merging them all to produce an innovative contemporary sound that bridges diverse styles and resonates with the Asian soul in America.
For 30 years, San Jose Taiko (SJT) has been mesmerizing audiences with the powerful, spellbinding and propulsive sounds of the taiko drums. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, SJT performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to create new dimensions in Asian American movement and music.
The spirit and essence of both rehearsal and performance require physical endurance, with running and exercise required of all members during practice sessions. All compositions performed by San Jose Taiko are written or arranged by members of the group. Composing, choreographing, designing and producing costumes, and handcrafting of the drums are part of the holistic process in which all members participate. Through this singleness of mind and spirit, harmony is achieved and the music rings with unity and clarity.
Since 1987, when San Jose Taiko became one of the first American taiko troupes invited to tour Japan, the company has collaborated in joint concerts with internationally renowned Asian performing artists including Kodo, Ondekoza, Eitetsu Hayashi, Michiko Akao, Oedo Sukeroku, Osuwa Taiko and Miyarabi Taiko. SJT has also collaborated with artists and companies from other disciplines, including Brenda Wong Aoki, Mark Izu, Kenny Endo, Eth-Noh-Tec, American Conservatory Theater, George Coates Performance Works, San Jose Repertory Theatre, The San Jose Museum of Art, Abhinaya Dance Company, Jon Jang, Keith Terry and Crosspulse and most recently with Anthony Brown, Marco Lienhard, Qi-Chao Liu, PressGang, and Michael Sasaki
SJT has been recognized for its artistic and managerial excellence with and Advancement Program from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Multicultural Advancement Program from the California Arts Council, Meet The Composer International Creative Collaborations, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Knight Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the Chevron Award for Excellence. In 1994, SJT was honored by the Arts Council of Santa Clara County with a commendation for community leadership for its efforts to foster cultural and ethnic diversity in the arts.
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For more information , enjoy the official homepage of San Jose Taiko
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