The Texas A&M Department of Performance Studies will begin its spring concert season with a bang as it welcomes both the Kenny Endo Ensemble and the On Ensemble for Taiko 2.0, scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Rudder Theater.
The two groups represent two generations of leading taiko artists who have spent heir careers redefining an ancient instrument. For more than 35 years, Kenny Endo has been a leader in taking taiko in new directions by fusing Japanese music with original melodies and jazz-inspired improvisation. For the last decade, On Ensemble has been making its own mark by mixing taiko with influences from Central Asian overtone singing and Javanese gamelan to hip-hop, rock and electronica. Together, the two groups deliver a singular concert experience.
Kenny Endo is one of the leading forces in contemporary percussion and rhythm while being at the vanguard of the taiko genre. Endo, a performer, composer, and teacher of taiko, was the first non-Japanese national to be honored with a stage name in Japanese classical drumming.
“The blossoming of the art of taiko in the past 50 years has been an exciting worldwide cultural event,” says Endo. “From its traditional roots to its many new contexts and configurations, the art continues to evolve at a steady pace. My emphasis has always been developing taiko as a musical instrument and expanding its infinite possibilities as a performing art. It’s a great pleasure to share the stage with the members of On Ensemble, who are also pushing taiko beyond conventional expectations.”
On Ensemble’s four members, Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda and Kelvin Underwood, are individually recognized as leading artists in their field for being able to combine their study and deep appreciation of tradition with formative experiences as DJ’s, electronic music producers, jazz drummers and rock bassists to produce ground-breaking music.
Admission for Taiko 2.0 is $10 for general admission and $5 for students. Tickets can be ordered by calling the MSC Box Office at 979-845-1234.
