TaikOz To Present ‘Future Directions’ In Sydney

It's a big day for Australian fans of the aesthetic and aural sensation that is Japanese taiko drumming: the nation's premier taiko performance ensemble, TaikOz, has announced the staging of Future Directions this June.

Excitingly, the one-off show at Sydney's City Recital Hall on Saturday, June 14, will feature the first Guest Artistic Director in TaikOz history, NYC-based soloist Kaoru Watanabe. Revered as a master of the Japanese bamboo flute, or shinobue, Watanabe is making the trip Down Under to help TaikOz farewell Australia before they set off for their inaugural US tour in July.

“Kaoru is someone who really feels TaikOz's 'essence' and understands where we're coming from as contemporary artists, with the taiko and shakuhachi at our expressive heart,” Artistic Director Ian Cleworth said in a statement.

The repertoire for the performance will be comprised of mostly new works, steered in part by Watanabe's experienced hand. The soloist is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music (majoring in jazz flute and saxophone), and spent several years in Japan as one of the artistic directors of renowned ensemble Kodo, with which TaikOz has previously collaborated, making this partnership a shoe-in for success.

“TaikOz shows first-rate musicianship and technical ability and their approach to studying different styles of music parallels and surpasses most groups in the US and Japan,” Watanabe said in a statement. “I was blown away by their artistry and overjoyed to explore possibilities of composing and performing with them.”

“I approach improvisation with a question of how much structure to put in? There are times when I don't put any rules, or parameters or do anything pre-determined. People are encouraged to create something, different sound and tonalities – to explore where we don't have specific parameters or rhythmic clarity. We blend influences – there will be elements of swing and folk songs from Japan.”

Check the City Recital Hall website for more information or phone (02) 8256 2222 or 1300 797 118 to book.