November Activities

Hello friends!

Among a few performances I have this month, I’m excited to announce that Motions, a collective of Matt Kilmer, Tim Keiper, Chris Dingman and myself, has been asked to extend a residency at the great East Village spot Nublu on Sunday nights. We will be presenting compositions by all four members as well as improvisations.

I’m also excited to working with old friend from high school Ty Citerman and his great band Gutbucket during their residency at the Stone as well as a few concerts featuring my Japanese music Ne-O Ensemble. Check out the Calendar for all upcoming shows!

Sincerely,

Kaoru

August/September Updates

Hello Friends, The last couple of weeks have been an intense period of activity- three weekends ago, I was performing and teaching at the first ever World Taiko Gathering (WTG). WTG and the other such gatherings, such as North American Taiko Conference (NATC), Collegiate Taiko Invitational and the East Coast Taiko Conference (ECTC) are great opportunities to connect with old friends and make new ones.

I've been playing taiko since 1986 and attended the first NATC in 1997 while I was playing with Soh Daiko. This was also the year before I moved to Japan to become a Kodo apprentice.

The concerts at WTG were titled Taiko Nation and featured six different groups and individual artists. I had the great pleasure of performing with two of them, the virtuosic TaikOz from Australia (with whom Kenny Endo was also a special guest) as well as a trio made up of two veterans of Kodo, Chieko Kojima and Eiichi Saito and myself. It was interesting to recall the conference I attended in '97, back before I really knew anything about the music, to almost two decades later in 2014 as an instructor and featured performer who is focused intently on the question of how to support and encourage the next generation of taiko players.

Another exciting development that was announced at WTG is the start of KaDON, an online resource for taiko and fue instruction presented by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, one of the most respected taiko makers in Japan. I am honored to be one of the three instructors featured on KaDON and I hope it turns out to be beneficial for as many people as possible. Please visit Kadon.com for more details about this.

Last week, the aforementioned Chieko Kojima visited New York for a week for a performance with me at Shapeshifter. Lab in Brooklyn as well as a three day intensive at my studio. Ten participants from Boston, Philadelphia and NY areas stayed over night while Mari cooked delicious meals with a handful of volunteers, Cathy Tio, Cassandra Huebenthal, Yumiko Higaki and Alex Pfister who donated time and energy and food.

Coming up after this is a lot of traveling but continuing with classes in NY when I'm in town.

Hope to see you all soon and enjoy the summer until then!

Sincerely,

Kaoru

  UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Friday, Aug 8 | 7:30pm - 9:00pm | $16 Sumie Kaneko @Regatta Bar (Boston) Sumie Kaneko's project J-Trad & More will present trio version with Kaoru Watanabe on Taiko and Fue, Yoshiki Yamada on Bass. New pieces will be played!. She is currently making new album with new instrumentation, you will see some of them. Must come! 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge MA, 02138. http://www.regattabarjazz.com http://www.sumiekanekomusic.com

Saturday, Aug 16 | 3:00pm Palo Alto Buddhist Temple presents: Hiroshima & Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble Kenny Endo (taiko), Kaoru Watanabe (taiko, fue), Hiroshi Tanaka (taiko), Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (drums, vibraphone, ukulele) More info TBA Schultz Cultural Arts Hall at the Jewish Community Center 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 http://www.paloaltojcc.org/on-campus/albert-janet-schultz-cultural-arts-hall/

Saturday, Aug 23 Kaoru Watanabe and Sumie Kaneko at Tenri Cultural Institute (New York) First duo concert with Kaoru Watanabe. Program will be mixture of Kaoru's original, traditional piece, Sumie's new compositions. More info TBA 43A West 13th Street, New York, 10011 http://www.tenri.org http://www.sumiekanekomusic.com

Friday, Sept 5 Fukushima Ongakudo http://www.f-shinkoukousha.or.jp/ongakudou/wp-content/uploads/282cb4d1d63ddf0177ffad86cd8f937a.pdf More info TBA

Thursday, Sept 11 Resonance 2014@Super Deluxe More info TBA

7/24: Chieko Kojima & Kaoru Watanabe @ ShapeShifter Lab

https://www.facebook.com/events/705229972868347/

Summer Events and Projects

Hello friends,

I’m back from a very fruitful 2 week stay in Australia, working with a group of great artists TaikOz and Riley Lee.  I have a few upcoming things in New York over the coming weeks before a pretty hectic summer travel schedule.  Basically every week I’ll be on the move: Montreal, LA, NY, LA, NY, Boston, SF, NY, Japan and by then we’ll be in September.  I’ll be back teaching at Princeton in the fall along with some other projects in the works.

In the meantime, I’d like to let you all about two projects coming up.  One is a trio with a long time collaborator, tap dancer and percussionist Tamango and the great guitarist Marvin Sewell. I had met Marvin a few times over the years while he was working with either Jason Moran or Imani Uzuri and love everything he does with Cassandra Wilson and others as well. I’ve always wanted to try creating something with him and I finally have a chance on Saturday the 28th at Shapeshifter Lab in Brooklyn.

The following evening, bassist Pascal Niggenkemper asked me to perform in his Ze Couch series so I asked Shane Shanahan, percussionist extraordinaire in Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, to join me. Please see details below.

Thanks and I truly hope you join me for these performances!

-Kaoru

******

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat, June 28th | 7pm Kaoru Watanabe with Marvin Sewell and Tamango at Shapeshifter Lab 18 Whitwell Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11215 http://www.shapeshifterlab.com/

Sun, June 29th Duo with Shane Shanahan as part of Pascal Niggenkemper Ze Couch series Ze Couch Series is an apartment series hosted in Brooklyn, NY, in three different apartments in Bushwick, Queens, Park Slope and Flatbush. The idea of these events is to hear different kinds of music in an intimate setting and to share this experience with people of various different backgrounds and nationalities. http://www.pascalniggenkemper.com/ze_couch.html

Mon, July 7th Go:Organic Orchestra Go: Organic Orchestra blends improv and composition, orchestral robustness and globally informed grooves, in an ever shifting ensemble led by Adam Rudolph. More info coming soon.

Thurs, July 10th Kaoru Watanabe and Patrick Graham Duo Montreal, Canada

July 11-12 Longueeil's International Percussion Festival Montreal, Canada More info to come.

July 18-20 World Taiko Gathering Los Angeles, CA Kaoru will be teaching workshops and performing in the concert with two Kodo members, the great Chieko Kojima and Eiichi Saito.  This is an amazing place to learn from some great instructors and to meet fellow taiko enthusiasts from all over the world. http://worldtaikogathering.com

May 30-June 13th: Collaboration with Taikoz in Sydney, Australia

Greetings from Sydney,

I’m right in the middle of an intense two weeks in Australia working with the group TaikOz.  I’ve been really challenging them and myself with ambitious pieces and concepts and heavily relying on each member’s sense of composition, listening skills and improvisational prowess and the results have been great.  It’s been a pleasure working with them and getting to know them better.  Our concert is next Saturday and I can’t wait to see how far we’ve come by then!

In the meantime, I also have to continue planning for some very exciting upcoming projects.

-Kaoru

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/

Friday, May 23rd: Convergence Duo w/ Kenny Endo

MAY 23, FRIDAY Los Angeles, CA Convergence Duo w. Kenny Endo at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) http://www.janm.org/events/2014/05/#23

Flutes of Hope at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

May - Upcoming Performances

Hello friend and family,Spring is fighting its way through the lingering cold here in New York. In just a few days, it seems it will finally warm up for good. There are a lot of great performances coming up both on the East and West Coast (and Down Under too!). Take a look below.

MAY 3, SATURDAY Charles B Wang Asian American Ctr @Stony Brook University, Long Island NY  14th Annual Ryu Shu Kan Cherry Blossom Festival Kaoru Watanabe, Ne-O Ensemble feat. Sumie Kaneko Join us while we welcome Spring to Long Island the Japanese way with the exciting sounds of the Taiko Drums, the elegance of Japanese dance and music and a wondrous array of Japanese cultural exhibits and events for the entire family. For information, please call Ryu Shu Kan: 631-698-2467 Charles. B. Wang Center: 631- 632-1944 https://www.facebook.com/events/788384034506213/

MAY 12, MONDAY Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell St., Brooklyn NY Adam Rudolph's GO: Organic Orchestra 50 Musicians: woodwinds, brass, strings, percussion 8:00 PM performance 7:00 PM workshop (public welcome to observe) Music composed and improvisationally conducted by Adam Rudolph https://www.facebook.com/pages/Go-Organic-Orchestra/49249259623 https://www.facebook.com/pages/ShapeShifter-Lab/209460929085823

MAY 15, THURSDAY Saint Johns the Divine, Manhattan NY Flutes of Hope Concert Featuring Ralph Samuelson, Steve Gorn and Kaoru Watanabe http://www.stjohndivine.org/visit/calendar/events/music/11872/flutes-of-hope

MAY 18, SUNDAY Berkeley Buddhist Temple, Berkeley, CA Satsuki Bazaar & Art Festival with Kenny Endo Ensemble and Abe Lagrimas, Jr. http://www.berkeleysangha.org/ev/bazaar/index.html

MAY 23, FRIDAY Los Angeles, CA Convergence Duo w. Kenny Endo at the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) http://www.janm.org/events/2014/05/#23

MAY 17-24, California - AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE LESSONS I will be in Northern (East Bay) and Southern California (Los Angeles) during this time. I am available for private lessons. Inquire at kaoru@watanabekaoru.com.

MAY 30 - JUNE 13, 2014 Sydney, Australia Collaboration w. Taikoz I will be acting as Artistic Director for a concert by the renowned taiko ensemble, Taikoz. I will send updates while I'm traveling - photos, journal and all. If you live or will be in Sydney during this time, I may be available for private lessons. Inquire at kaoru@watanabekaoru.com.

___________________________________________ ON THE HORIZON

JULY 18-20 Los Angeles, CA World Taiko Gathering

JULY 18-20 Los Angeles, CA World Taiko Gathering I will be teaching workshops and performing in the concert with two Kodo members, the great Chieko Kojima and Eiichi Saito.  This is an amazing place to learn from some great instructors and to meet fellow taiko enthusiasts from all over the world. http://worldtaikogathering.com

JULY 11-12 Montreal, Canada Longueuil's International Percussion Festival More information to come.

JULY 25-27 Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center, Brooklyn Hana-Hachijo Intensive Weekend Workshop with Chieko Kojima at KWTC KWTC is proud to welcome Chieko back for an intensive three day workshop.  Participants can expect to learn in-depth about the movements, techniques, the songs, as well as philosophy behind Chieko's signature piece Hana-hachijo as well as to spend time getting to know her and fellow taiko players.  Open to both male and female taiko players.  Please contact us for information and to reserve a spot (limited to 10 participants) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW_Foe0vXyQ

___________________________________________ OTHER EVENTS

MAY 2nd & 3rd, Fri/Sat Project IX – Pleiades $30/$24 Japan Society members

Although I won't be performing in this program nor will there be any taiko drumming in it, our friends at Japan Society are presenting a percussion-heavy multi-media performance that I encourage people to see!

Two Japanese tour de force artists, acclaimed musician Kuniko Kato, praised by Steve Reich as a “first rate percussionist,” and dancer Megumi Nakamura, internationally-known since her days with Jiří Kylián’s Netherlands Dance Theater, explore the mesmerizing scores of legendary 20th-century composer Iannis Xenakis (1922-2001). Project IX – Pleiades, which features one of Xenakis’ most complex and ambitious pieces, Pléiades, is a multimedia work delivered through live performance and a state-of-the-art sound/projection installation. Directed by Italian choreographer Luca Veggetti, one of the featured artists in the 2014 NY PHIL BIENNIAL. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiR6-h9ah0Q

 

4/13: 参 Sun Trio at ShapeShifter Lab

参　SUN Trio Sunday, April 13th | 7pm | $10

Sun (参) Trio is comprised of Kaoru Watanabe and Tetsuro Naito, two former members of Kodo, the iconic taiko group from Japan, and Patrick Graham, an acclaimed, multifaceted Montreal-based percussionist. Featuring the taiko drums, Japanese bamboo flutes, and a host of percussion instruments from Japan, the Middle East and beyond, the music is an artful blend of power, delicacy and precision.

The character 参, or “san” (pronounced sə n) can refer to a surprising variety of things: "three", "to participate", "to pray", "to be taken" and even "to fall in love". The number 3 has profound significance in Japanese culture. With regards to taiko drums, drum heads are often adorned with the mitsudomoe a symbol with three tear drops chasing each other in a circle. The members of Sun Trio found this word represents the multifaceted nature of the music, at once sacred and profane, with a decidedly contemporary edge.

Tetsuro Naito- taiko drums Patrick Graham - taiko drums, percussion Kaoru Watanabe- Japanese flutes, taiko drums

ShapeShifter Lab 18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, NY 11215 R train to Union St http://www.shapeshifterlab.com/

RSVP on the Facebook event page here.

Spring 2014 Update

Greetings friends.  Hope the warm weather is offering some reprieve from the endless bout of freezing temperatures and snow storms.

I've been busy with performances and have a few coming up- see below for details. I've also been busy with preparations for a handful of upcoming projects including intensive workshops by Tetsuro Naito, Patrick Graham and Shoji Kameda at my studio, performance by Ne-O Ensemble- a group I've been cultivating in my studio, workshops at Princeton, Brown and Wellesley, directing a concert in Australia in June, working with Chieko Kojima and Eiichi Saito of Kodo in July in LA, hosting Chieko at my studio in New York, and a Japan trip in the fall, etc.

-Kaoru

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

Wednesday, March 12th | 7pm 

The Heart of Japan: An Evening of Kabuki Dance and Music

Jewett Art Center Auditorium, Wellesley College

The Heart of Japan: An Evening of Kabuki Dance and Music will present traditional Japanese dance by Ms. Michiko Kurata and Japanese instruments played by Mr. Kaoru Watanabe and Ms. Sumie Kaneko. A sushi reception will follow the performance. The performance will be preceded by a workshop on March 11, 5:00 PM-6:30 PM in the Alumnae Hall Ballroom. All are invited for a hands-on exploration of the Japanese instruments featured in the March 12 performance.

More info: http://www.wellesley.edu/events/node/42388

Sunday, March 23rd | 10pm | $15

Motions @ the Stone

Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes, taiko) Chris Dingman (vibes) Tim Keiper (hunters harp, percussion) Matt Kilmer (percussion) The four members of the Brooklyn-based collective Motions combine the rhythms, timbres, and melodies of their extensive and diverse musical backgrounds-traditional and contemporary musics from Japan, Mali, the Middle East, Brazil, and the US to create a unified sound that is both eclectic and organic.

the corner of avenue C and 2nd street, New York, NY 10009.

F train to Delancey or J,M to Essex St.

Regular Admission: $15 per set. Students 13 to 19: $10 per set at all times

http://thestonenyc.com/

Saturday, March 29th 

Ne-O Ensemble @ Shapeshifter lab

Details TBA.

http://www.shapeshifterlab.com/

Feb 16th New Trio at Shapeshifter Lab

Come spend Sunday evening with Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes), Satoshi Takeishi (percussion) and Yasushi Nakamura (bass). 7pm at Shapeshifter Lab. See you there!

February Shows

Saturday, Feb 1st | 1-4pmAsia Society with Elena Moon Park Rabbit Days and Dumplings will be featured at Family Day: Moon Over Manhattan! in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Join us for a full afternoon of performances and traditional crafts at the lovely Asia Society. 725 Park Avenue (at East 70th Street), New York, NY $5 students, seniors, children; $7 members (Dual Family members FREE); $12 nonmembers. Tickets available the day of event More info at rabbitdays.org and asiasociety.org

Tuesday, Feb 4th | 7-10pm Washington DC with Sumie Kaneko J-Trad & More will be featured by DC Jazz Festival Fishman Young Artist Series. Performing at the residence of Japan Embassy. Private event. More info at sumiekanekomusic.com

Friday-Saturday, Feb 7th and 8th East Coast Taiko Conference, Skidmore College Kaoru Watanabe will be giving workshops and performances at this year’s ECTC. More info here: http://ectcskidmore2014.wordpress.com/

Sunday, Feb 9th | 3-4pm Tenri Institute with Sachiyo Ito Ma: Creating Sacred Space and Time, Here and Now The prevailing theme of Salon Series in 2014 Season is “Ma,” the particular sense of space and time in Japanese arts and culture. The first in the program investigates Ma in creating sacred space and time through sutra chanting and writing, music and dance improvisation. Guest Artists: Kaoru Watanabe (flutist/drummer), Satoshi Takeishi (percussionist), Rev. Kenjitsu Nakagaki (Calligrapher) Ticket: $15, $10 (Senior & Student） Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street New York City, between 5th & 6th Avenue
 
Saturday, Feb 22th | 12 & 2:30 pm BAMcafe with Elena Moon Park Two short shows at BAMcafé as part of BAMkids Film Festival. Take in some East Asian tunes between fun (mostly) animated all-ages shorts & feature films. More info at rabbitdays.org and BAMkids BAMcafe, Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Beauty Beyond Boundaries | Ricoh Theta Launch Party | Thurs. Jan. 16th

Thursday, Jan 16, 2014, 9pm-1am Beauty Beyond Boundaries RICOH THETA Launch Party @Villain in Williamsburg

Beauty Beyond Boundaries is a TokyoDex production, which will include an amazing array of artists and art installation. Please come join me and make sure to RSVP at http://beautybeyondboundaries.splashthat.com

Villain 50 N. 3rd St, New York, NY 11249 http://villain-llc.com

Happy New Year 2014

Friends and Family, I hope the arrival of 2014 brings all of you with prospects of a renewed endeavor towards, most importantly, health and happiness and, if necessary, prosperity!

For me, 2013 was full of change, growth and adventure - all I could really hope for.  I had the pleasure of performing in various projects led by such artists as Adam Rudolph, Imani Uzuri, Alicia Hall Moran, Skye Steele, Tamango, Sumie Kaneko, Elena Moon Park, Shane Shanahan, On Ensemble and Maureen Fleming.

I led or co-led groups which included such wonderful folks as Kenny Endo, Ryutaro Kaneko, Tetsuro Naito, Daniel Rosen, Isaku Kageyama, Satoshi Takeishi, Ralph Samuelson, Akihito Obama, So Percussion, Shoji Kameda, Kyo Daiko, Matt Kilmer, Chris Dingman, Tim Keiper, Barbara Merjan, Marika Hughes, Sarah Schoenbeck and many many others.

Musical adventures took me to Barbados, Trinidad, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and here and there across the US.  InNew York, I performed in such venues as the Shapeshifter Lab, Joe's Pub, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Delacorte Theater, Highline Ballroom, The Stone, Blue Note, Brooklyn Bowl, Cornelia Street Cafe and Le Poisson Rouge.  A special thanks to Taikoz, Japan Foundation, Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, Ranjo flutes, Asano Taiko U.S., amongst many other others for their continued support and collaboration. 

In mid-summer, a long held dream of having my own dedicated studio was realized after weeks of soundproofing, flooring, and other work.  Since fall of 2013, I've been holding classes, workshops and rehearsals in the studio and am planning to greatly expand activities there in 2014.

On a personal note, the biggest news of 2013 was the birth of my daughter Shinobu on August 9th.  My relationship with Mari has gotten stronger as we are focussed on each other's health and happiness in a much more determined and conscious way.  Shinobu comes to a lot of my shows and has gained notoriety for having a great disposition and laughing all the time.  She is light and joy and we are so grateful for her presence.

Looking ahead to 2014, I want to continue studying, performing and composing in a more focussed manner - time is much more limited with Shinobu around!  I thank everyone for their continued support and friendship and look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Happy New Year to all! Looking forward to sharing many more adventures in 2014.

In gratitude and sincerity, Kaoru Watanabe

Happy New Year!!

kwtc_ny-card

Dec 28: Motions & Bonenkai @ Shapeshifter Lab

Saturday, 28th Dec 2013 | 8PM | $10

MOTIONS featuring: Chris Dingman, Matt Kilmer, Tim Keiper, Kaoru Watanabe

BONENKAI featuring: KAORU WATANABE TAIKO ENSEMBLE, Sumie Kaneko, Barbara Merjan, Fumi Tanakadate + SPECIAL GUESTS

The four members of the Brooklyn-based collective Motions, combine the rhythms, timbres and melodies from their extensive and diverse musical backgrounds - traditional and contemporary musics from Japan, Mali, the Middle East, Brazil and the US to create a unified sound that is both eclectic and organic. The music seamlessly ranges from abstract improvisation to heavy groove, highlighting the flavors and qualities of the different instruments while celebrating their universality.

ShapeShifter Lab 18 Whitwell Place, Brooklyn, New York 11215

More info on ShapeShifter Lab's website here. RSVP on the Facebook event here.

Sunday, Dec 1st @ Joe's Pub

Sunday, Dec 1st | 7:30pm Kenny Endo, Kaoru Watanabe and Sumie Kaneko @ Joe's Pub

Kenny Endo and Kaoru Watanabe, both considered leading practitioners of their instruments, respectively the Japanese taiko drum and flutes, celebrate their CD Convergence, with guest artist Sumie Kaneko on koto and shamisen. Their music draws on Japanese theater and folk traditions with jazz and other improvisational genres to create a sound that is ancient with a modern edge. Tickets are on sale now! Get them here. RSVP on our Facebook event here.

425 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10003

Nov 25: Bloodlines performs at Spectrum NYC

Kaoru Watanabe's Bloodlines featuring Marika Hughes (cello) and Sara Schoenbeck (bassoon) performs this Monday night at Spectrum NYC!

Monday, November 25, 8-11 PM. Spectrum NYC 121 Ludlow St., Second Floor, New York, NY, 10002 J, M to Essex/ Delancey $10

About Bloodlines: The individual musicians in the ensemble, Bloodlines, have been working together to create a musical collage representing anecdotes from our family histories. The resulting music is at once intensely personal while celebrating the commonalities people have shared over generations, countries and cultures. The rehearsals for Bloodlines have been equal parts playing and discussing musical structure and simply sharing these stories with each other and conceiving ways to sculpt them into music.

More info on the gig here: https://www.facebook.com/events/789496294409419/

November/December Updates

Hello friends, I've been busy with various private and public performances over the last few weeks. I didn't realize it until after it was over, but I was performing in or responsible for 10 different performances between Wednesday and Sunday of last week, beginning with a private reception at Carnegie Hall for Yo Yo Ma and ending with a collaboration with a master soba maker in the Meatpacking District's swanky Soho House.

I have a very busy next couple of months. For the next few weeks, along with a number of more private events, I will continue to perform every thursday through Sunday with Maureen Fleming, followed by a trip to California where I'll be performing in San Francisco Taiko Dojo's 45th Anniversary Concert and teaching workshops at Asano Taiko's new Los Angeles Taiko Institute. Immediately upon returning, I'll be performing and teaching workshops at Cornell University, followed by a performances at the Stone with Adam Rudolph, than at Spectrum with my group Bloodlines. The great Kenny Endo will be visiting New York the following weekend for KWTC's first weekend intensive in our new space and we will be performing together at Joe's Pub as well as at Dickinson College, where I have been co-teaching a course on taiko drumming with Professor and author Shawn Bender. See below for a list of dates and times for performances.

Also, big news: My good friend Imani Uzuri is officially on the GRAMMY ballot and eligible for nomination!! If you are a member of NARAS or have friends who are, please consider Imani Uzuri for a Grammy Nomination for "Gathering" (Best American Roots Song) and "Dream Child" (Song Of The Year, Record Of The Year, Best R &B Song). I am performing shinobue and flute on this album. Here's a link to the video for "Dream Child" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvfzpR_qRdE My flute can be prominently heard on the track but unfortunately I was busy the day of the video shoot. Please just add me to the video in your mind's eye, wearing an unbuttoned linen shirt with dark sunglasses on playing the flute on the beach.

- Kaoru --------

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Oct 17th - Nov 3rd | 7:30 pm (Thur-Sat), 2:30pm (Sun) La MaMa presents B. MADONNA by Fleming @ The Ellen Stewart Theatre Internationally acclaimed performer, Maureen Fleming brings her contemporary unveiling of the myth of Persephone to the stage of the Ellen Stewart Theatre. With text by David Henry Hwang and music by Philip Glass (performed live by pianist Bruce Brubaker), original accordion music by Guy Klucevsek, and Taiko drumming by Kaoru Watanabe, this beautiful, multimedia meditation on ’miracles’ juxtaposes Fleming’s new and repertory works with three-dimensional video projections designed by longtime collaborator Christopher Odo. Kaoru Watanabe is performing in Maureen Fleming's Black Madonna every weekend for four weeks at La Mama. Thursday – Saturday at 7.30pm Sunday at 2.30pm Running time: 75 minutes This performance contains nudity 66 E. 4th St. 2nd Fl., New York, NY 10003 Facebook event here.

Friday, Nov 8th Vassar College - The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center Performance with Sumie Kaneko

Saturday-Sunday, Nov 9th and 10th San Francisco Taiko Dojo 45th International Taiko Festival Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley Saturday, November 9, 2013, at 8pm Sunday, November 10, 2013, at 3pm

Monday-Tuesday, Nov 11th and 12th Shinobue and Taiko workshops@ Los Angeles Taiko Institute Shinobue Workshop Monday, November 11, 2013 - 18:00 to 19:30 Shinobue and Taiko workshops@ Los Angeles Taiko Institute Open to all levels, Kaoru will go over hand positions, posture, various breathing techniques, embouchure, basic exercises. Please bring your own fue (western tuning, preferrably a number 6). Taiko Workshop Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 18:00 to 20:00 Kaoru will introduce some hitting techniques utilized by many Kodo players that emphasizes balance and stability, relaxation, the shoulder blades as well as the concept of magaranai ude or the "unbendable arm". $40 per workshop, $30 for LATI / college students RSVP taiko@asano.us / 310-974-4490 (Please pay at the door)

Friday, Nov 22nd Solo Performance @ Cornell University

Sunday, Nov 24th | 8pm & 10pm Adam Rudolph @ The Stone 8pm - Go: Organic Orchestra Flutes 10pm - Adam Rudolph’s Moving Pictures Octet plus Go: Organic Orchestra Flutes the corner of avenue C and 2nd street $15 General Admission, $10 Students 13 to 19 children 12 and under admitted FREE there are no advance ticket sales all admissions are at the door prior to each performance

Monday, Nov 25th Bloodlines@Spectrum The individual musicians in the quartet, Bloodlines, have been working together to create a musical collage representing anecdotes from our family histories. The resulting music is at once intensely personal while celebrating the commonalities people have shared over generations, countries and cultures. The rehearsals for Bloodlines have been equal parts playing and discussing musical structure and simply sharing these stories with each other and conceiving ways to sculpt them into music. $15 General Admission, $10 Students and Seniors 121 Ludlow, Floor 2, NYC, NY 10002. Ring bell for 2; between Delancey and Rivington.

Friday - Sunday, Nov 29th - Dec 1st Kenny Endo Taiko Intensive@KWTC Kenny Endo is considered one of the world’s leading taiko composer, performer and teacher. Participants will spend an intimate weekend studying with this acclaimed artist, learning not just rhythms, form and technique, but about Kenny’s philosophies on life and music. The workshops will cater to a degree, the experience and skill level of the participants, but Odaiko and shimedaiko technique, ji playing, Edo Bayashi and more will be very likely be explored. For more information, please visit: http://www.taikonyc.com/intensives/

Sunday, Dec 1st | 7:30pm Kenny Endo, Kaoru Watanabe and Sumie Kaneko@Joe's Pub Kenny Endo and Kaoru Watanabe, both considered leading practitioners of their instruments, respectively the Japanese taiko drum and flutes, celebrate their CD Convergence, with guest artists Sumie Kaneko on koto and shamisen. Their music draws on Japanese theater and folk traditions with jazz and other improvisational genres to create a sound that is ancient with a modern edge. Tickets are on sale now! Get them here. RSVP on our Facebook event here.

Thursday, Dec 5th | 7pm Kenny Endo, Kaoru Watanabe and Sumie Kaneko@ Dickinson College Rubendall Recital Hall, Weiss Center for the Arts Internationally renowned musicians Kaoru Wantanabe (taiko, fue), Sumie Kaneko (shamisen, koto) and Satoshi Takeishi (percussion) perform a blend of Japanese classical music and contemporary improvisation. This concert is co-sponsored by the East Asian studies department and the Bullard Music and Culture Fund.