2020 / Japan Foundation’s virtual concert series to feature Arizona-based Taiko player Ken Koshio on Monday, June 8 at 12:30 p.m.

Arizona-based artist Ken Koshio will be featured at “Music Mondays “Virtual” Concert Series by the Japan Foundation Los Angeles on June 8, at 12:30 p.m. via Japan Foundation’s Facebook Live. The performance will run for 25 minutes.

Viewers do not need to have a Facebook account. To view the “virtual” concert, just go to Japan Foundation’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JFLALC

If viewers will miss the live streaming, archival video will be available on the same Facebook page or at Japan Foundation’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYEG7P8EVh__UihWg-k0zBQ

Ken Koshio will perform Taiko and Shinobue (bamboo flute) at his Wakon Kan Dojo (Taiko studio) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Koshio is promoting the art of drum beats through collaboration with indigenous art forms. His motto is “Our life and consciousness arise from one source.”

Ken Koshio, Taiko & Shamisen artist, was born in Nagoya, Japan.

Since 1998, he has been active as a singer and songwriter in the U.S. He was active as a folk rock musician in Los Angeles for 7 years.

The 9-11 incident in 2001 made him take his musical journey all across the U.S. dubbed as “Thousand Cranes Tour” in 2002, which he brought 10,000 origami cranes that he received while traveling through Los Angeles to New York City on the original Route 66.

In 2004, he moved to Phoenix where he experienced his first time beating the taiko drums. Since then, he has been actively involved in Japanese arts and culture and holds classes in his Wakon Kan Dojo (studio).

He spends his time by teaching Japanese arts and craft to young students around the State of Arizona.

Koshio is always challenging new musical genres through collaborating with Native American artists. He received a teaching certification for Hiroshima Jidaiko (Indigenous Taiko drums) from The Hiroshima Taiko Preservation Society in Hiroshima, Japan. He has received training directly from Mr. Itsuki Munakata, who is a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. Koshio also receives his responsibility to continue Mr. Munakata’s legacy. www.kenkoshio.com

Koshio’s annual concert “Ken Koshio Taoko Extravaganza – Flower of Life” which was originally set in June, is now rescheduled on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 East Second Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251

This event will be presented by the World Youth Visiting Exchange Association of Arizona, Inc.

In the 2020 concert, Koshio will bring together again musicians and artistic groups with Japanese Taiko drumming. The artist promises audiences will experience a wave of powerful vibrations and witness the merging of ancient rhythms with modern music, unlike any other performances.

For audiences who already purchased the tickets, they are asked to keep tickets. For any inquiries about the tickets, contact Box office at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.