Taiko x Celtic: Nagata Shachu and The American Rogues

Date: June 8, 2019

Time: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

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Canada’s pre-eminent taiko ensemble Nagata Shachu close out 20th anniversary season with ‘Taiko x Celtic!,’ an explosive mash-up, for the first time, featuring North America’s Celtic band The American Rogues.

The American Rogues (Baltimore, Maryland and Hamilton, Ontario based), renowned for their skill, quick wit, compelling storytelling and engaging stage show, are equally known for their multi-instrumental sound, including jigs, reels, hornpipes, ballads, originals, soundtracks, military music and Irish foot-stompers.

Since 2009, The American Rogues have drawn comparisons to Wolfstone, Afro Celt Sound System, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, symphonies and Japanese taiko groups. Headlining shows in Asia, Europe, U.S.A. and Canada, they have taken Celtic, rock, roots, soundtrack, world, Japanese and classical music by storm.

ARTIST QUOTES:

Nagata Shachu director Kiyoshi Nagata states, “In its 20-year history, this is the first time that we have worked with a Celtic band. This pairing may be unexpected, but it works! The American Rogues are highly energetic and entertaining group of musicians, who share our passion for exploring new creative possibilities using tradition as the springboard. We are excited to share the stage with them in our final concert of the season, it will be nothing like we've ever done before!”

Leader of The American Rogues, Hamilton’s Nelson Stewart states, “The American Rogues are extremely honoured to be performing with Nagata Shachu. I have long been drawn to Japanese culture; I studied Japanese history, the band performed in Japan, and my wife and I, fellow American Rogue Jeania Stewart, studied taiko under Nagata Shachu member Tony Nguyen. I was thrilled when Kiyoshi agreed to our two bands working together. As it turns out, we had both seen each other’s episodes in the ‘Sounds of Canada’ series, and, believing that the same heart beats within the music of both Japanese and Celtic culture – it was a match made in heaven. The American Rogues hope that this will be the first show in a partnership that will continue for many years to come.”

TICKETS:

Regular; $27./$32./$37. Student/Senior; $20.

Online; https://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm?id=10332&festival_id=0.

Phone; 416-973-4000, press 1.

In person; Box office, 235 Queen’s Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8.

VIDEOS:

Nagata Shachu; https://vimeo.com/279134149.

The American Rogues; https://vimeo.com/258098808.

MORE INFO:

http://nagatashachu.com.

https://www.theamericanrogues.com.

Nagata Shachu members performing in this concert are Kiyoshi Nagata (director, master soloist, taiko, shinobue/flute), Aki Takahashi (taiko, shamisen, vocals), Tony Nguyen (taiko, woodwinds), Jason Huang (taiko), Andrew Siu (taiko) and Naoya Kobayashi (taiko).

Nagata Shachu has toured extensively and played rare and unusual collaborations with artists including acclaimed Toronto author and storyteller Rui Umezawa and Toronto contemporary dancers Noriko Kusama and Yuichiro Inoue, the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Arts in the Parks initiative, world/roots ensemble DRUMHAND, Japan’s acclaimed taiko, kokyu and shinobue virtuoso Shogo Yoshii (formerly of Kodo drummers), Juno nominated Toronto Tabla Ensemble, co-founder and principal dancer of Japan’s Kodo drummers Chieko Kojima, renowned blues artists Ken Yoshioka and multi-Juno Award winner Julian Fauth and internationally renowned shamisen master, Japan’s Masahiro Nitta.

The American Rogues play at major music festivals, theatres, Highland Games, military bases, Tattoos, renaissance festivals, clubs and more. This includes shows with world-renowned violinists/composers Lindsey Stirling and Alison Krauss, airplay on TV and radio and concerts at the World Music Festival in Quebec, Canada, where they have played six years running. In 2017, they became the “St. Paddy's Band” of Rogers Radio stations nationwide and 2018 saw them appear at the Cowal Highland Gathering in Scotland (largest Celtic festival in the world).

The American Rogues have released seven recordings and a DVD. Ceili Magazine called 2010’s ‘3 LBS. of RAGE’ “The best Celtic rock CD produced this year and one of the best Celtic music CDs... period!”

ABOUT:

Since forming in 1998 and while rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, Nagata Shachu's principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music (through concerts and workshops) that creates a new voice for Taiko. Taking its name from founder and Canada’s pre-eminent taiko soloist Kiyoshi Nagata and ‘shachu’ (old term for a performing troupe), Nagata Shachu has toured throughout Canada and countries including USA, Europe, Lebanon and Mexico, and has previously released six CDs of original music (latest; Hymus Road, 2013), and four DVDs (latest; Toronto Taiko Tales, 2017).

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