Up Close and Personal article

Here is a nice bit of writing by Mari on me! http://newyork.untappedcities.com/2011/10/14/balancing-the-art-of- taiko-up-close-with-musician-kaoru-watanabe/

Upcoming Performances

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14th 8 PMKENNY ENDO + ON ENSEMBLE

I'll be performing with my good friends, the great Kenny Endo and On Ensemble in a concert entitled "Taiko 2.0". Also joining will be Charlene Huang and Eien Hunter-Ishikawa. It's always a joy to be sharing a stage with some of my favorite people! http://www.pacslo.org/calendar/event/kenny_endo_and_on_ensemble_taiko_2

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2011, 7:30 PM - When I return to NY, I will be performing with Sachiyo Ito and Company at the Ailey Citigroup Theater

The 30th Anniversary Concert of Sachiyo Ito and Company : Mai/Odori/Inori Celebrating 30 years of Dedication to Japanese Arts Sachiyo Ito and Company will present their 30th Anniversary Concert to share the richness and beauty of the Japanese tradition with the New York community at Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City.

TICKETS: $30 at the door ($25 advance purchase) LOCATION: Ailey Citigroup Theater 405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue NYC MORE INFO: http://bit.ly/anniversary-concert Purchase from Smarttix by phone: 212-868-4444

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MONDAYS, NOVEMBER 7th and 21st 8 pm Adam Rudolph's Go: Organic Orchestra LOCATION: Roulette - 20 Greene St., Manhattan, NY  (btwn Canal and Grand, 2 blocks west of Broadway) $15 General Admission $10 Members/Students/Seniors

Organic Orchestra is unique in the realm of approaches to improvisational conducting. Utilizing non-linear notation in an original music score, Composer and Artistic Director Adam Rudolph conducts between 20 and 50 musicians with his prototypical conducting system. Over the past twelve years he has taught and conducted hundreds of musicians in Organic Orchestra concepts in both North America and Europe, most recently in Naples, Oslo and Istanbul.

For this series Rudolph will present new music with his New York based Organic Orchestra. Most of the 30 musicians (listed below) have been developing the music with the Orchestra for the past 4 years in residence at Roulette Intermedia. The first CD of the NYC Organic Orchestra will be released in fall of 2011 to coincide with the November concerts.

http://www.metarecords.com/go.html http://www.myspace.com/goorganicorchestra http://www.metarecords.com/go_youtube.html

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22,2011 ALICIA HALL MORAN + the motown project Produced by Jill Newman Productions

LOCATION: Highline Ballroom - 431 W. 16th St., Manhattan, NY (btwn. 9th and 10th) Concert starts @ 8PM Doors open @ 6PM Tickets $15.00 in advance (buy online) $20.00 day of show For more info, visit the Highline Ballroom 

What's Going On from Pagan Harleman on Vimeo.

Mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran brings diverse influences and passions together in a rich, quintessentially modern artistic brew. She is constantly balancing performances in the realms of musical theater (currently understudying Bess and Audra McDonald in George and Ira Gershwin's Porgy & Bess, directed by Diane Paulus), opera-cabaret (currently performing with the motown project at The Kitchen, Le Poisson Rouge, Regattabar, etc.), art performance (currently collaborating with visual artists such as Joan Jonas, Adam Pendleton, Simone Leigh, and Liz Magic Laser), and jazz (most frequently with husband and pianist Jason Moran), while consistently finding outlets for her other loves - dance (music for Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane Dance Company's award-winning Chapel/Chapter) and writing (in her weekly classical music column Suite Sounds for the New York Amsterdam News).

Upholding the traditions of her great-great uncle Hall Johnson (legendary choral director, composer, and preserver of the Negro Spiritual) and her greatest teachers (Shirley Verrett, Adele Addison, Hilda Harris, David Jones, and Warren Wilson) without being tethered to the classical repertoire, Moran's performances transcend all expectations. Her singing and theatrical sensibilities lead purely into a sensual musical world where the lyricism of Marvin Gaye and the high drama of Puccini collide.

Upcoming shows Sept 29th ~ Oct 2nd

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THURSDAY, SEPT 29th 6 to 8 pm Kaoru Watanabe + Ty Citerman Masters & Pelavin 13 Jay Street NEW YORK, NY 10013 GALLERY@MASTERSPELAVIN.COM +1 212 925 9424 Gutbucket guitarist / flutist & former member of Japanese ensemble, KODO, team up for a night of experimental music FREE http://masterspelavin.com/press/

Kaoru Watanabe and Ty Citerman began their musical collaborations several decades ago while growing up in St. Louis, Missouri. After many years of playing informally and in private settings, the artists began performing in public in early 2009. Their combined experience—playing both composed and improvised music that delves into jazz, modern classical, traditional Japanese and Jewish music and beyond—gives their sound a broad, expansive palette.

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FRIDAY, SEPT 30th 7 pm Utage: Autumn Soiree Sachiyo Ito & Company Tenri Cultural Institute (43A W13th Street, NYC)

Utage: Autumn Soiree Friday September 30, 2011, 7:00 PM A festive cocktail party with food and drinks. Fundraising Event for the 30th Anniversary Concert of Sachiyo Ito and Company Tickets: $35 ($25 tax deductible) advance sale, $45 ($35 tax deductible) at the door. LOCATION: Tenri Cultural Institute (43A W13th Street , NYC) MORE INFO: http://bit.ly/utage_soiree

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SATURDAY, OCT 1st 2 pm and 7 pm Festival of Colors Village@Gureje 886 Pacific St, Brooklyn, NY 11238 2 pm Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Ensemble 7 pm with Will Calhoun (from Living Colour) and others! http://gureje.com/site/about-us/

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SUNDAY, OCT 2nd 6 pm Sacred Spaces: A Slideshow Potluck The Judson Memorial Church 55 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012 duo with Yumi Kurosawa (koto) $10

Featuring intimate, joyful, and moving interpretations of our relationships to space, religion and to each other, the show is an exploration of the myriad forms in which the sacred exists in our lives. http://aaartsalliance.org/page/locating-the-sacred

photographers: Tomie Arai | Iwan Baan | Katie Basile | Philippe Calia | Matilde Cassani | Edward Cheng | Toni Greaves | Stephanie Keith | Hiroki Kobayashi | S Billie Mandel | Jayanthi Moorthy | Jen Plaskowitz | Lisa Ross | Jennifer Pritheeva Samuel | Caroline Sun | Sara Szwajkos | Becky Yee

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Kaoru w/ Hiroshima

I will be performing two shows this coming Wednesday, Sept 21st. One will be a brief and informal set at the Rubin Museum of Art, a duo performance with vibraphonist Chris Dingman. The other will be a guest spot with the grammy award winning band Hiroshima at B.B.King's Bar and grill later in the evening.

Although, they will both be good (!), the Hiroshima performance is a charity event to help relieve the ongoing suffering in Japan, due to the catastrophic events of earlier this year. My fellow esteemed special guests include David Henry Wang and legendary singer/composer Vinx. This is going to be special!!

Sept 21st Wed 5 pm Rubin Museum (www.rmanyc.org) Kaoru Watanabe/Chris Dingman duo

Sept 21st Wed 8 pm show B.B. King's Club and Grill guest with Hiroshima $30 in advance/$35 day of

Sunday, Sept 18th@Drom

9:30 pm Drom (www.dromnyc.com)

  Sept 18th Sun 9:30pm DROM (E. Village- www.dromnyc.com) Kaoru Watanabe Group with Isaku Kageyama and Tamango A great guitarist, Nick Demopoulos will be having a CD release performance before my set at 8pm.

Isaku will also be teaching a workshop at my taiko school that day at 2 pm (go to www.taikonyc.com for more info)

"Isaku Kageyama is a pioneering taiko drummer who has brought the traditional Japanese instrument to the cutting-edge modern art scene across the globe. His distinct sound, strongly rooted in classical Japanese music, adds elements from a wide variety of music genres such as rock, jazz, electronic, Latin, and African, to produce a powerful groove that goes far beyond traditional taiko.

Isaku has collaborated with jazz greats Terumasa Hino, Toshinori Kondo, and Kazutoki Umezu, as well as a wide range of ethnic musicians such as NATA (digeridoo), and Winchester Nii Tete (African percussion), He has worked on projects with fashion designer Kansai Yamamoto, and anime legend Takashi Yanase.

He is also a two-time National Odaiko (large drum) Champion, becoming the youngest person to win highest honors at the Mr. Fuji Odaiko Contest in 2000, and Hokkaido in 2003. Isaku has appeared in television commercials and events for brands such as Toyota, Boeing, Japan Postal Service, Aioi Sonpo and Shin Nihon Tatemono.

A powerful musician and icon of traditional Japanese culture, Isaku is one of the primary taiko drummers who will carry the art into the 21st century."

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OTHER UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS

Sept 21st Wed 5 pm Rubin Museum (www.rmanyc.org) Kaoru Watanabe/Chris Dingman duo

Sept 21st Wed 8 pm B.B. King's Club and Grill guest with Hiroshima - the Grammy Award winning group

Sept 29th Chelsea Art Gallery Duo with Ty Citerman

Oct 1st Festival of Colors [Big Party] 2pm - 5pm Performances by WIll Calhoun, Native Lands Trio, Ethel Calhoun and the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Ensemble

Sept 9th Update

Hello friends,

I just finished a whirlwind 6 weeks journey away from NY that took me from LA, to San Francisco, Deer Isle, Maine, back to California, St. Louis and finally back to NY. I drove hundreds of miles up and down California and round trip between New York and St. Louis.

I did many multiple workshops, concerts, private lessons, panel discussions, a recording and lots of hanging out with new and old friends. I'm energized and ready to begin a fall semester at Wesleyan University and lots of performances and workshops coming up.

Gureje is once again hosting Festival of Colors and of course I'll be teaching taiko classes and performing. This year's festival will include classes in figure drawing, beer brewing, sound painting, yoga, African dance, mask making, fabric dyeing and more. Please come out and be a part of the Village@Gureje community!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Sept 10th, 5 pm Asian Americans United Mid-Autumn Festival in Philadelphia

Sept 11th Sunday, 6:00 PM The 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony (see below for more information)

Sept 18th Sunday 8 pm DROM www.dromnyc.com Nick Demopoulos' Exegesis CD release concert/Kaoru Watanabe Group

Sept 21st Wednesday 5 to 7 pm Rubin Museum Spiral Series duo with Chris Dingman http://www.rmanyc.org/pages/load/226

Sept 21st 8 pm Hiroshima Benefit for Japan Concert September 21, 2011 8pm B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, New York 237 West 42nd St, Times Square, New York City

The 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony Pier 40 (West Houston Street & West Street by the Hudson River) The 9/11 World Trade Center Memorial Floating Lanterns Ceremony, in its tenth year, brings a day filled with deep emotion and reflection to an aesthetically serene and peaceful close. As light fades to dusk, and the sun’s warmth gives way to the Hudson River’s cool breeze, the rhythmic beating of the Japanese Taiko drum signals the beginning of this most poignant and embracing interfaith ceremony led by Reverend Alfonso Wyatt. Religious leaders of many faith traditions will assemble to offer uplifting messages of hope and peace. Commissioner Fatima Shama from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs will provide greetings and messages from Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Musical performances will be interspersed throughout the program with performances by Japanese and American artists including Taiko Drummer Kaoru Watanabe, Composer Russell Daisey, Soprano Tomoko Shibata, Recording Artist Shinji Harada, and Saxophonist Paul Winter. The evening closes with the Rev. T.K. Nakagaki leading Buddhist Sutra Chanting and the lighting of the floating lanterns on the Hudson River. Volunteers from NY de Volunteer will place the lanterns into the water, which will then be pulled into the harbor by the kayakers. UNITED SIKHS will provide refreshments. The event is open to the public free of charge. This inspirational event is largely a volunteer effort of many civic-minded organizations including The Interfaith Center of New York, the New York Buddhist Council, Prepare New York Coalition, New York Disaster Interfaith Services, United Sikhs, NY de Volunteer, the New York Kayak Company, New York City Downtown Boathouse, Long Island City Community Boathouse and September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.

Sept 3rd,4th and 5th Japanese Festival St. Louis Botanical Gardens

I'm pleased to announce that I will be performing with three of my great musical inspirations, Kenny Endo and my parents Ayako and Haruka Watanabe, in a series of quartet performances in my hometown for the Missouri Botanical Garden. We will be performing original compositions by my father, Kenny and myself, including a piece I wrote specifically for this quartet- violin, harp, taiko and fue.

I will also be joining St. Louis Osuwa Daiko, a group I help found back in 1986 (at the tender young age of 11!) for one piece of their sets.

Saturday 12:30-1:30 KW Ensemble Sunday 5:30-6:30 KW Ensemble Monday 12-1 pm (Watanabe Duo), 3-4 pm KW Ensemble

All shows at the Shoenberg Theater. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for children for the Japanese Festival

Taiko Conference!

Hello friends,This weekend is the 2011 North American Taiko Conference. This year, I will be teaching a workshop on Yatai Bayashi and an Advance Fue Masterclass, will be a panelist on two discussions - "taiko and the internet" and "tradition and innovation" as well as perform as a guest with both Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble and San Francisco Taiko Dojo at the Taiko Jam Concert. I'm very excited to see many old friends there, including my first fue teacher Suzuki Kyosuke, great hougaku percussionist Mochizuki Saburo and Yoshihiko Miyamoto from Miyamoto Taiko, a supporter of KWTC. Please find more details here: https://www.taikoconference.org

This past weekend in LA, I finished up a duo recording with taiko master Kenny Endo. This is a project Kenny and I have been talking about doing for years and finally it's coming to fruition with the help of Shoji Kameda (of On Ensemble and Hiroshima) working this time as sound engineer/producer/mixer. We both contributed compositions as well as a came up concepts for improvisations. It's been a fun and inspiring process and I don't think there's ever been a taiko/fue album quite like this..

More information as it comes!

August 13th Ayagoromo - Mindful Transitions@JANM (LA)

Ayagoromo - Mindful Transitions Japanese American National Museum Los Angeles, CA

Traditional Japanese Folk songs assimilated within Modern World Music sensibilities. Yoko Fujimoto and Derek Nakamoto bring an eclectic ensemble of musicians to Tateuchi Democracy Forum.

Vocalist Fujimoto and Composer/Arranger/Pianist Nakamoto will be joined by guest artist Kaoru Watanabe on Japanese Woodwinds & Percussion, Abe Lagrimas Jr. on Ukelele, Vibes & Percussion and Cameron Stone on Cello. Yoko beautifully exemplifies her mastery of singing Japanese folk songs.

The songs will be "framed" with a modern twist of Impressionistic Jazz, Classical and R&B for which Derek is known. The concert will debut new works reflecting the goal of preserving the essence of traditional music with arrangements that make the songs relevant to the present generation.

$10 members; $15 non-members.

Aug 5th DUO with Jason Moran@Deer Isle Jazz Festival

I'm very excited to be performing a duo concert with jazz pianist Jason Moran. Jason is a recipient of the 2010 MacArthur Fellowship (the "Genius Award") and triple-crown winner in Downbeat Magazine's 59th Annual Critics Poll for Jazz Artist, Jazz Album & Pianist of the Year.

http://www.jasonmoran.com

Friday, August 5th at 7pm Reserved Premium Seating - $32.50 General Admission - $25 Fixed Income - $25 Under 17 - $15 Island Students FREE

Creative Walk in Prospect Park

photo by Rod Milam

Tonight's (Wednesday the 20th) regular taiko class is cancelled because of the "Creative Walk" I'll be hosting in Prospect Park. The first one took place last Saturday. Here are a few quotes from one of the participants from her blog http://lindajbeck.blogspot.com/2011/07/create-cultures-conversation-with.html "It was tremendously empowering" "Afterward, I felt centered and refreshed... like I'd just invented Yoga."

Intrigued? More information here: http://www.createculture.org/page/summer-2011-creative-walks and tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/175798 *SPECIAL DISCOUNT for KWTC students- just enter KWTC as a promotion code.

If you have trouble purchasing tickets online, please let me know or just show up at the Brooklyn Library around 6:30 or so. Wednesday's walk is already pretty full but we still have room. Thursday or Saturday's you will have a little more personal attention!

CREATIVE WALK July 20th, 21st, 23rd Prospect Park, Nellie's Lawn Meeting at Brooklyn Library around 6:30 pm (20th, 21st) and 10:30 am (on the 23rd)

Creative Walk and Hi Mizu Kaze (part 2)

Hello all- thanks for visiting this page. The first Hi Mizu Kaze (Prelue) was a huge success- a full house of a very enthusiastic audience- despite the very last minute cancelled appearance of dancer Mana Hashimoto.  A huge special thanks to Barbara Merjan for stepping in and sounding wonderful on everything.

We will be doing Hi Mi Kaze (Rebirth) on Sat, July 16th at 7:30 pm- with Mana Hashimoto this time.

Also, starting in the morning on the 16th, will be the first of four "walks" that I'll be leading. Participants will gather in Brooklyn's beautiful Prospect Park, blindfold themselves and will be led through a series of exercises geared to recalibrating and heightening your senses of hearing, smelling, feeling and tasting- while also being serenaded with some minimalistic sounds of fue and taiko. Should be a transcendental experience! Please see the flier below for details.

CC Creative Walks flyer

Upcoming:

July 7th Middletown, CT Holy Trinity Church 4:30-6:30 performance/demo

July 16, 20, 21, 23 Creative Walks http://www.createculture.org/

July 16th 7:30 pm Hi Mizu Kaze- Rebirth, a benefit concert for Japan Tenri Cultural Institute 43A 13th St. NY, NY

August 5th duo with Jason Moran Deer Isle, Maine

August 13th concert with Yoko Fujimoto (KODO) Derek Nakamoto, Abe Lagrimas and others

August 20th Taiko Jam concert with Kenny Ensemble Ensemble Workshops: fue masterclass, Yatai Bayashi North American Taiko Conference@Stanford University

Sept 3,4,5 Performances with Kenny Endo, Ayako and Haruka Watanabe St. Louis Botanical Gardens, Japanese Festival

Sept 20th Performance with Hiroshima B.B. King Blues Club&Grill

Hi Everyone,

I just got back from Minneapolis where I debuted a new group featuring Tamango, Damion Reid and Barbara. It was somewhat grueling for me, teaching multiple workshops and lessons all day and performing at night for four nights straight. I think it's safe to say we blew some minds out there with our mixture of taiko, fue, butoh-esque theatrics, tap dance within complex improvisational explorations. Hope to present this show in NY sometime soon!

Anyway, I have a few other things coming up in NY that while very different, should be equally as interesting and captivating. Hope to see people there! Also, pass please let me know if you are anyone you know is interested in subletting my apartment this summer. I will be in LA, SF, Maine and St. Louis for lots of teaching and performances (with Jason Moran, Kenny Endo, Yoko Fujimoto from Kodo and my parents) Upcoming Performances

June 29th Washington DC Japan Information and Cultural Center Japan Embassy Solo Fue/Taiko performance

July 3rd New York Kaoru/Birthday/Taiko/Celebration!! TBA Gureje starting 4 pm Come one, come all!

July 5th New York HIMIZUKAZE - Japan Fundraising Concert- see flier below Tenri Cultural Center 8:30 pm $10 suggested donation with Mana Hashimoto (dance) Sadahiro Kakitani (ryuteki) and others

July 7th Middletown, CT performance/demo TBA

July 16, 20, 21, 23 Creative Walks Participants will be blindfolded and taken through a series of exercises exploring both external and external perceptions, while being serenaded with taiko and fue in Prospect Park http://www.createculture.org/

Apartment for Rent! Availability: July 24th - September 6th, 2011 Location: Brooklyn on Classon and Bergen Rent: $425/wk or $2450 for the entire time. (this cost includes utilities)

Spacious 2 bedroom railroad-style apartment in Brooklyn on Classon and Bergen available for sublet between July 24th and September 6th. One full bathroom, hardwood floors, exposed brick wall, fully furnished. Wi-fi. Friendly neighbors and safe and secure complex. 2 blocks from the S (Shuttle) which will conveniently take you to either the 2,3,4,5,B,Q or C.

Fully furnished includes: 2 beds (1 is an inflatable Queen sized Aerobed), fully equipped kitchen, chairs, desks, printer, projector, internet, etc.

In the neighborhood: Great coffee shop (Glass Shop), Mexican restaurant (Chavella's), short walking distance to Prospect Park, The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Museum and Library. Great food nearby along Washington and Vanderbilt as well. Grocery store (Compare Foods) located just around the block on St. Marks.

Type of tenant: Cleanly, willing to water our plants, no smoking in the apartment. Musicians OK.

Contact: Kaoru Watanabe at 646-624-9405 or email kaoru@watanabekaoru.com

June/July activities

Hello friends, This Sunday, June 19th starting at 6 pm, my new ensemble will be doing an open final run-through for a show we're doing in Minneapolis. This group features Damion Reid, Barbara Merjan and myself on taiko, percussion and fue and Tamango tap dancing. We are mixing up hogaku and festival drumming styles and mixing it up with jazz improvisation and dance in pretty crazy ways. Please come out and see what all the noise is all about!

Where Renate Albertsen-Marton Gallery - The Village@Gureje 886 Pacific Street Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Btw. Underhill Ave and Washington Aves in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn) To call for directions: 718-857-2522

June 23, 24, 25, 26 Minneapolis Mu Daiko presents: Kaoru Watanabe New Ensemble with Damion Reid, Barbara Merjan and Tamango http://www.muperformingarts.org/news/soul-drum

June 29th Washington DC Japan Information and Cultural Center Japan Embassy Solo Fue/Taiko performance

July 3rd New York Kaoru/Birthday/Taiko/Celebration!! TBA Gureje starting 4 pm

July 5th New York HIMIZUKAZE - Japan Fundraising Concert- see flier below Tenri Cultural Center 8:30 pm $10 with Mana Hashimoto (dance) Sadahiro Kakitani (ryuteki) and others

July 16, 20, 21, 23 Creative Walks Participants will be blindfolded and taken through a series of conscious heightening experiences, while being serenaded with taiko and fue in Prospect Park http://www.createculture.org/

Upcoming activities- June!

My warmest regards to all those who visit this website. I hope to see you at some of these upcoming events: June 8th Wednesday Zebulon, Brooklyn with Chris Dingman, Matt Kilmer, Tim Keiper http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com/

June 10th Friday WAH (Williamsburg Art and Historical) Center, Brooklyn Benefit for Japan http://www.wahcenter.net/exhibits/2011/artjapan/

June 11th Saturday Philadelphia, PA Alicia Hall Moran's Motown Project West Chester Poetry Conference honoring Robert Pinsky http://www.wcupoetrycenter.com/conference-schedule

June 14th Tuesday Brooklyn Heights Workshop

June 18th Sunday Ottawa Workshop with Oto-Wa Daiko

June 23, 24, 25, 26 Minneapolis Mu Daiko presents: Kaoru Watanabe New Ensemble feat. Damion Reid, Barbara Merjan and Tamango http://www.muperformingarts.org/news/soul-drum

June 29 Washington DC Solo fue and taiko performance Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JICC/index.html

July 3rd Sunday Birthday Celebration TBA

July 5th Tuesday Japan Benefit at Tenri Gagaku and Beyond (TBA) feat Sadahiro Kakitani, Mana Hashimoto and myself

July 16, 20, 21, 23 Creative Walks in Prospect Park Participants will be blindfolded and encouraged to explore hearing, smelling and feeling nature while being serenaded with the sounds of fue and minimalistic taiko... http://www.createculture.org/page/summer-2011-creative-walks

May 28th Saturday - GalaNYC performance

I'm very excited to be working in collaboration with a pretty amazing group of artists. Hope to see you all there!

Kevork Mourad Armenian visual artist with the Silk Road Ensemble. Early on, he developed a technique of spontaneous painting, in which he shares the stage with musicians, his art created in counterpoint to their music. He has performed and exhibited in concert halls and museums all around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the 92nd Street Y.

Kristin Andreassen Winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Andreassen is an American folk singer in the band Uncle Earl, and a principal dancer with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble.

Mathias Kunzli Swiss-born world percussionist who has performed with artists as diverse as Lauryn Hill, Moby, Randy Brecker, Kayhan Kalhor, Yo-Yo Ma, and many more.

Triborough Trio The Triborough Trio is a unique new acoustic group comprised of cello, guitar and bass working out of New York City. Trio members Mike Block (cello), Hans Holzen (guitar) and Kyle Kegerreis (bass). The mission of the Trio is to put their personal spin on traditional and contemporary music while mixing and matching American string band styles with music from around the globe. Always drawing upon their individual backgrounds rooted strongly in Classical, Country, and Jazz they reinvent their various influences with well-crafted and creative arrangements.

Upcoming performances

May 15th SundayHighline Ballroom, NYC Marcus Miller Presents: A Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief featuring Q-Tip, Raul Midon, Angelique Kidjo, Questlove and more $45 advanced/$55 day of tickets 7:30 http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1966

May 22nd Sunday Fue and Taiko Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC Sachiyo Ito Salon Series http://www.dancejapan.com/events/upcoming-events.html 3 to 4 pm $15, $10 for seniors or students

May 28 Saturday Matt Kilmer/Tim Keiper Brooklyn Lyceum, Brooklyn GALA/NYC NYC Music Series 8 pm http://www.brooklynlyceum.com/ZPT/MORE?listingid=100371

Upcoming Performances!

Upcoming performances: April 29th Friday Wesleyan University Intro and Adv Taiko Student Concert This is the final student concert after my first semester teaching at Wesleyan World Music Hall 7pm Free

May 5th Thursday washington DC- private event

May 7th Saturday KWTC Taiko Ensemble Stony Brook Sakura Matsuri Stony Brook University Wang Center, LI noon to 5:30 (my performance around 4:30 http://matsuri.ryushukan.com/

May 8th Sunday KWTC Taiko Ensemble Asian Pacific Heritage Month Union Square (17th and Park Ave South) 4 to 4:25 (short demonstration) http://www.capaonline.org/

May 10th Tuesday Purchase, NY - private event

May 15th Sunday Highline Ballroom, NYC Marcus Miller Presents: A Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief featuring Q-Tip, Raul Midon, Angelique Kidjo, Questlove and more $45 advanced/$55 day of tickets 7:30 http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1966

May 22nd Sunday Fue and Taiko Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC Sachiyo Ito Salon Series http://www.dancejapan.com/events/upcoming-events.html 3 to 4 pm $15, $10 for seniors or students

May 28 Saturday Matt Kilmer/Tim Keiper Brooklyn Lyceum, Brooklyn GALA/NYC NYC Music Series 8 pm http://www.brooklynlyceum.com/ZPT/MORE?listingid=100371

Michiyuki: New album available now

October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) Mari and I drove to our friend Tatsuya's house near Easton, PA.  Tatsuya and I spent four hours or so, playing improvised duets while Tatsuya recorded.  The resulting CD became Michiyuki, which is now available on CDBaby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kaoruwatanabeandtatsuyan (itunes coming soon!). On this recording, I play shinobue, ryuteki and noh kan with Tatsuya playing all sorts of bells, gongs, cymbals, drums using sticks, brushes and bows of all sizes.  Tatsuya is a master of texture and tones, creating multiple layers of sound and rhythm.  At many moments during the album, especially during the first track, there are moments where are sounds blend so well that it is difficult to distinguish when my sound ends and his begins.  In the second track, which is too me is a frenetic free jazz improvisation featuring the noh kan (the atonal flute used in Noh theater).  Some of my favorite moments are when one of us stops and simply listens to the other.

The music on this album travels across different sonic landscapes.  The title track, Michiyuki is the one that seems to travel the furthest and to the remote places.  I sincerely hope people enjoy the dialogue that Tatsuya and I have with each other and listen to the music with open ears and minds.

April 17th Philadelphia concert

7:30 concert Calvary United Methodist Church 801 South 48th Street (at Baltimore Avenue) buy tickets here

Soloists: NAOMI SATO - Sho (mouth-organ) NAOKO KIKUCHI - Koto RALPH SAMUELSON - Shakuhachi (end-blown flute) KAORU WATANABE - Nohkan (transverse flute)

http://crossroadsconcerts.org/?p=2567#more-2567