Event Details
| Group Name: | On Ensemble with Kaoru Watanabe |
| Event Date: | Fri, January 16th 2009 |
| Event Time: | 8:00 pm |
| Admission: | $15 |
| Tickets (no fees) | http://dromnyc.com/home/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=270&category_id=2&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=69 |
| Event Info/Notes: |  Infusing
traditional influences with elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica, On Ensemble (pronounced "Ohn") and Kaoru Watanabe take ancient Japanese
instruments into new realms. Los Angeles based contemporary taiko quartet On Ensemble and New York based fue specialist Kaoru Watanabe join creative forces for a one night performance at New York club Drom. On Ensemble (pronounced “Ohn”) takes the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms. Infusing the powerful rhythms of ensemble Japanese drumming with elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica, On Ensemble’s unique sound has been praised as “completely original and brilliantly conceived.” Modern Drummer magazine calls On Ensemble “an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums.” On Ensemble’s four members, Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda and Kelvin Underwood, are individually recognized as leading artists in their field and sought after as teachers, workshop leaders, composers and performers. As On Ensemble they combine their study and deep appreciation of tradition with equally formative experiences as DJs, electronic music producers, Jazz drummers, and rock bassists to create a repertoire of ground-breaking music. Joining On Ensemble will be New York based, Western and Japanese flute specialist Kaoru Watanabe. Kaoru was a member of the word renowned taiko ensemble, Kodo where besides performing Japanese traditional drumming, flute, song and dance, he also served as one of their artistic directors, focussing on Kodo's world music festival Earth Celebration, curating and directing collaborations with such artists as Zakir Hussein, Carlos Nunez, Giovanni Hildago and Yamashita Yosuke. Kaoru has also performed and recorded with such artists as Jason Moran, Stefon Harris and with the legendary Kabuki actor Bando Tamasaburo. "an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums" - Martin Patmos, Modern Drummer Magazine "one of the most innovative and musically fresh groups ever to take the stage" - Glen Creason, CerritosInk "completely original and brilliantly conceived" - Brian Moore, TransformOnline On Ensemble Website On Ensemble MySpace Kaoru Watanabe Website |