America’s leading taiko drummers and one of Japan’s true taiko legends converge to create a heart-thumping drum spectacular when TAIKOPROJECT brings LifeRhythm to the Bing Theatre in the Los Angeles County Museum of Arton Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 pm.
Since its founding in 2000, TAIKOPROJECT has been dazzling audiences with its unique contemporary blend of taiko with storytelling, music and choreography. LifeRhythm, the group’s 7th annual taiko extravaganza, comes with an innovative new twist: a full evening collaborative concert with former Artistic Director of Kodo, Ryutaro Kaneko.
Kaneko is known for leading Kodo, the world’s premiere taiko ensemble, during its active tours in the 1990s, and is currently one of the most sought-after taiko artists in Japan.
In 2010, TAIKOPROJECT received a $10,000 grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, Creative Exchange International program to begin collaborating with Kaneko, and the result was a concert in which the first half featured TAIKOPROJECT’s student groups, and the second half featured Kaneko.
In 2013, TAIKOPROJECT received another $10,000 grant from The Japan Foundation, Performing Arts Japan program to complete the full collaborative program, and the result will be a truly unique experience, blending the sublime solo artistry of Kaneko with the undeniable energy of TAIKOPROJECT.
“It’s certain to be a fantastic evening, taking taiko to its artistic limits and beyond,” says Bryan Yamami, artistic director of TAIKOPROJECT.
Winner of the top award at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest, TAIKOPROJECT has performed around the world in such places as Hong Kong, Dubai, the U.K. and Mexico.
TAIKOPROJECT has been featured in everything from commercials to television shows to awards shows, performing alongside such musical superstars as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher, John Legend and Justin Bieber.
Most recently, they were featured in rock band 30 Seconds to Mars’ viral music video, “Up in the Air,” which to date has garnered over 17 million YouTube views.
TAIKOPROJECT + Ryutaro Kaneko: LifeRhythm is part of LACMA’s Art & Music concert series, first-place winner of the ASCAP & Chamber Music America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music.
The concert takes place on Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 pm. Reserved seating is $25; LACMA members and seniors (62+) with ID pay only $18. Tickets are available at www.lacma.org or (323) 857-6010.
LACMA is located at 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, and the Bing Theatre is located on the Southeast corner of the LACMA campus.