Événement

Maze Daiko with special guest: Yoko Fujimoto

What: Taiko Concert
When: July 23 & 24, 2010
Where: RhythMix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 pm
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door

The pioneering taiko ensemble Maze Daiko strikes new ground in this special concert blending African instruments with Japanese Taiko as well as other global influences. Mazeru is the Japanese word for "mix" and taiko (daiko) is the Japanese word for "drum". Maze Daiko creates an exhilarating mix of instrumentation and rhythms with the physical elegance and powerful sounds of taiko in their debut of several new compositions. Also appearing will be Yoko Fujimoto, evocative songstress and Kodo's principal vocalist since 1989.

Maze Daiko (pronounced Mah - Zeh) is garnering recognition for its unorthodox approach to combining traditional taiko rhythms and form with non-traditional instrumentation, energetic choreography and cross-cultural grooves. The members of Maze Daiko, Janet Koike, Cristine Sato, Elaine Fong, Kathryn Cabunoc, Tina Blaine and Carolyn West, all have years of collective experience in other ensembles including San Jose Taiko, Odaiko New England, UCLA Kyodo Taiko, Emeryville Taiko, Rhythmix Ensemble and more. The different taiko backgrounds mix (Maze) together with unusual instrumentation, marimba, berimbau, djembe to create unique rhythmic interpretations that fill the stage with a visual and vibrant sonic display.

Yoko Fujimoto joined Ondekoza (later Kodo) in 1976. After three years appearing as a Koto player, singer and dancer, she stepped down from the stage to edit the monthly Japanese language newsletter 'Kodo' for the next 13 years. In 1989, she began to sing again and has been Kodo's principal vocalist ever since. Apart from Kodo Concerts, she performs in the song and dance group 'Hanayui' with Chieko Kojima and Mitsue Kinjo (Okinawan Dance), and holds concerts and drum-and-song workshops with her husband Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Kodo's principal O-daiko player. Yoko will be sharing her knowledge and techniques in a "Voice Circle" workshop at Rhythmix Cultural Works on July 29th.