Subject: Profiles Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 06:37:03 -0400 From: "Shuichi T. Kurai" To: Deborah Wong KISHIN DAIKO Artistic Director: Rev. Tom Kurai Managing Director: Jim Friesen Taiko Concert - Sequence of Program Opening - Deborah Wong? Introduction - Rev. Tom Kurai (MC) "Kaminari" (Thunder) T. Kurai, 1983 Literally, Kaminari means "voice of the Gods", signalling an impending storm. "Matsuri" (Festival) Arr. T. Kurai, 1983 Festivals are a daily occurence in Japan. The festival rhythms usually accompany lively folk dancing. "Tama-Ichi" (First Soul) T. Tamaribuchi, 1996 A piece taught to the group by Tiffany Tamaribuchi of the Sacramento Taiko Dan whose taiko spirit comes through the song. "Maze Gohan" (Mixed Rice) W. Clarke, 1999 This multi-layered piece represents the multi-ethinic make-up of Kishin Daiko with it's many rhythm patterns and diversity. "Kokiriko" Traditional This is one of the oldest Japanese folk melodies which is traced back to the 9th century in Toyama prefecture. "Kokiriko" are two small bamboo sticks used by wandering Buddhist monks to keep the beat for the chants. "Amanojaku" (Goblin) R. Watanabe, 1990 A piece written as a drill from "Amanojaku" Taiko group of Tokyo. "Chakiri Bushi" (Tea-Cutting Song) A folk song written in the 20th century depicting women in Shizuoka prefecture, harvesting tea leaves. "Odaiko" (Large Taiko) Arr. T. Kurai, 1998 A solo piece on the largest taiko. It is said that the sound of the odaiko is powerful, yet it can lull a baby to sleep with it's earthy and primal quality. "Shi-Shi Mai" (Lion Dance) Traditional The Lion Dance is usually performed on New Year's Day and on other celebrative occasions to bring good fortune and prosperity to all who watch and listen. The dance is accompanied by old Edo Matsuri Bayashi (Tokyo festival music). Intermission Gamelon and Taiko performed by UCR Gamelon Ensemble and Taiko Center of Los Angeles (Please write description.) "Shima No Musume" (Daughter of the Island) A folk song and dance from the Ryukyu Islands (Okinawa). "Aranami" (Turbulent Waves) T. Kurai, 1996 An odaiko piece symbolizing the ocean waves pounding on the shore. "Oedo Yodan Uchi" from Oedo Sukeroku Taiko, Tokyo, Arr. T. Kurai & Kishin Daiko This lively piece has drummers dancing and playing from one taiko to another keeping time to a jazz-like synchopated rhythm. "Miyake" Traditional On the island of Miyake, drummers take a strenuously low stance for this popular taiko style. "Kishin" (Return to the Heart) T. Kurai and Kishin Daiko, 1994 This is Kishin Daiko's signature piece representing the members love for the art of taiko and communicating that spirit to the listener. Kishin Daiko was formed in 1981 when the group was known as West Covina Taiko. The word, Kishin means to "return to the heart" or to go back to one's roots. The 50-member group is multi-ethnic as well as multi-generational. Practices are held at the East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center in West Covina. The group keeps an active schedule of 50 to 60 performances a year. Some of the highlights have been performing at the 1998 Super Bowl Game, Michelle Kwan Day, the 75th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the L.A. Marathon, the Olympic Torch Run and the World Cup Soccer. Kishin Daiko also performs at many community and cultural events throughout the year and in 1995 performed in Japan. The members work collectively and view taiko as a unique Japanese-American cultural art form which should be shared with everyone. TAIKO CENTER OF LOS ANGELES Director: Rev. Tom Kurai The Taiko Center of Los Angeles was founded in 1996 by Rev. Tom Kurai. The Taiko Center promotes the art of taiko through performances, holding classes in taiko classes and merchandising taiko products. The Taiko Center performing ensemble features local taiko artists as well as guest artists from Japan and collaborates with jazz, Latin and African drummers. The newest collaboration will be with the UC Riverside Gamelan Ensemble. Taiko classes are conducted at various locations in Southern California including a class offered through the Music Department at UC Riverside. REVEREND TOM KURAI Rev. Tom Kurai is a Zen Buddhist minister who has been performing and teaching the art of taiko for 25 years. He has studied taiko with many groups in the U.S. as well as in Japan. Currently Rev. Kurai is a performing artist with the Los Angeles Music Center, conducting taiko classes and workshop at public and private schools. He has received grants from Cal Arts and the Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs office to preserve the art of taiko in the community. Rev. Kurai received a Dramalogue and L.A. Weekly awards for best musical performance in live theater and recently performed taiko in the Academy-Award nominated film, "The Thin Red Line".