TAIKOPROJECT's Rhythmic Relations 2006
July 8 at 8:00 p.m.
Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East
Los Angeles CA

A pulse-pounding drumming spectacular from TAIKOPROJECT, the Japanese drum group whose innovative arrangements and crossover pieces merge the decades-old tradition with fresh, new energy.

Rhythmic Relations 2006 features TAIKOPROJECT and three artist groups Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko and UCLA Yukai Daiko in their first major collaborative production. The groups will present an evening of spectacular new grooves, fresh energy and sonic ingenuity that reflects the history, the diverse communities, and the innovative spirit that sustains the American taiko tradition. The groups’ path-breaking arrangements and crossover pieces merge contemporary influences such as hip-hop dance and rhythms with the traditional beat of the taiko drums.

TAIKOPROJECT Artistic Director, Bryan Yamami, says, “The four groups in the Ford show are very distinct from one another and highlight an important development in American taiko. It is now possible for a person to move through an entire lifetime playing taiko. Proof of this lies in the show's performers from the youngest member at age 8 to the oldest at age 70.”

Watch a short TAIKOPROJECT performance video.

For more information & tickets: www.fordamphitheatre.org