"TAIKOPROJECT--this ain't your mama's taiko, but it may be your hip, younger cousin's."
-L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles, California

"With an artful blending of music, theater, choreography, costumes and set design, TAIKOPROJECT immersed the audience in a special world where traditions of the past inspire art of the present."
-Mitch Glickman, Director of Music Programs, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, California

"Brandishing traditional bachi sticks, the musicians circle and attack their wide drums with a violent, artful fluidity that harkens back to taiko's ancient roots in the martial arts. From there, the group draws from a broad palette of more western tones, including electronic instruments, hip-hop choreography, theatrical storytelling and video documentary. The blend allows for a much richer brand of songwriting than that of more purist taiko groups."
-Jakob Dorof, Philadelphia CityNews

"TAIKOPROJECT is a terrific, youthful blend of tradition and emerging artistry. It is a hilarious and touching treatment of the artform of taiko and its deep importance to a distinctively American community...TAIKOPROJECT rings true."
-Michael Reed, ASU Public Events, Phoenix, Arizona

"TAIKOPROJECT's performances were a great success, leaving our audiences exuberant and ready for more. Our two packed houses were thrilled with TP's multi-genre approach and their unique American take on the Japanese art of taiko."
-Matt Krashan, Director, UW World Series, Seattle, Washington

"TAIKOPROJECT is one of the most exciting next generation ensembles playing today. They play with sheer pleasure and consummate skill, telling a story of taiko that is deeply personal and recognizably universal."
-Marty Wollesen, UCSD ArtPower!, La Jolla, California

"They perform with ample grace, strength, and precision. Their choreography is indeed spirited and tinged with enthusiasm, but Artistic Director Bryan Yamami has not neglected the intense focus and carefully-plotted symmetry that are hallmarks of taiko."
-San Diego Arts, San Diego, California

"TAIKOPROJECT's talent, energy and professionalism blew us all away. Their educational school shows gave students the opportunity to play taiko along with learning the history and traditions of the taiko. TAIKOPROJECT performed for over 5,000 K-12th grade students and to a sold out crowd at our public performance and all at 6,500 feet above sea level!"
-Peggy Thompson, Executive Director, Tahoe Arts Project, South Lake Tahoe, California

"...they blew the roof off with their energy and willingness to take taiko into the 21st century by experimenting with various media and settings. They take American taiko outside the box."
-International Examiner, Seattle, Washington

"Although the group has a certain youthful swagger, the players are respectful of the tradition without being obsequious. They back up their youthful bravado with a high level of technical ability, not relying on flash and effects to carry the day. Their brand of taiko is loud, fast and clean--the energy level set at maximum."
-The Bulletin, Vancouver, Canada

"Without a doubt, TAIKOPROJECT is one of the best performances to ever grace our stage in the past 12 years...They easily transitioned from an outreach with kindergartners to a workshop with university level percussion majors keeping all information and tones age-appropriate and interesting. Their stage performance was clever, engaging, exciting, educational and energetic."
-Cindi Younker, Director, Buckman Arts Center, Memphis, Tennessee

"TAIKOPROJECT's performance was electric! There was a perfect blend of music, narrative, and movement, and it reinforced what was discussed in the classrooms. The finale involved audience participations with the students and when the teachers were brought up, the kids went crazy. It was a great moment."
-Peggy Magee, Coordinator, Classroom Connections, Carpenter Center, Long Beach, California

The TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California. The group was conceived by Bryan Yamami with the idea of bringing together the best young taiko players in North America to create an innovative theatrical production celebrating American taiko. That show, TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation, seamlessly blends taiko with storytelling, music, hip hop choreography, multi-media, and dance.

TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation made its world premiere tour Fall, 2003 - Spring, 2004 to Gammage Auditorium at Arizona State University Public Events, Meany Hall at the University of Washington World Series, the Japan America Theatre at the JACCC, the Mondavi Center at UC Davis, and the Kenneth Ford Theater at the College of the Siskiyous.

Following its first tour, the TAIKOPROJECT developed collaborations with a diverse group of artists, including klezmer clarinetist Leo Chelyapov, Vietnamese pop singer Bao Han, Chicano rock band Quetzal, internationally-acclaimed European DJ Tiesto, and Vancouver's Chibi Taiko.

In Spring, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT performed in Mitsubishi Motors of North America's innovative National Commercial for the Eclipse sportscar, featuring women from the group in a breathtaking 60-second commercial spot that was one of the highest-rated commercials of 2005 when it aired.

The TAIKOPROJECT then performed for the most prestigious taiko concert in North America-- "Taiko Jam '05," as part of the 2005 North America Taiko Conference. The group was also invited to perform for the Hollywood Bowl's prestigious "Summer Sounds" program, working with the L.A. Philharmonic Education Division.

In Fall, 2005, the TAIKOPROJECT traveled to Japan for the first time to represent American taiko at the 4th Annual Tokyo International Taiko Contest. As one of 12 finalists out of over 60 groups, the TAIKOPROJECT was the first American taiko group to participate in the internationally-recognized event. The TAIKOPROJECT made history and took home the top prize, First Place, in the Adult Group category, becoming then, the first American taiko group to win the entire contest as well.

In Summer, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT presented Rhythmic Relations 2006, a joint performance with Bombu Taiko, Kitsune Taiko, and UCLA Yukai Daiko to a sold-out house at the prestigious John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. They also traveled to Japan to perform at the acclaimed EXTASIA Festival in Ishikawa-ken, and performed at the Hollywood nightclub Bar Sinister.

In Fall, 2006, the TAIKOPROJECT was selected to be a part of two prestigious juried industry showcases at the Western Arts Alliance (WAA) and International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) Conferences. TAIKOPROJECT also performed for Opening Night of the Los Angeles Kings' 2006 hockey season at the Staples Center and for the half-time show for the Los Angeles Clippers. In October, 2006, Bryan and Maz performed as guest taiko artists with rapper Xzibit for a music concert special on the DirecTV program CD USA.

In Spring, 2007, the TAIKOPROJECT toured "(re)generation" along the West Coast to sold-out houses and exuberant audiences along the West Coast at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts, UC San Diego's Mandeville Auditorium, the Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, the Washington Center for the Arts, the Edmonds Center for the Arts, and the Centennial Theatre in Vancouver, Canada.

In Summer, 2007, TP played at the L.A. Coliseum for DYNAMITE 2007, one of the largest mixed-martial arts events in the U.S., broadcast on the Showtime cable network. TP was also cast in David Mamet's 2007 independent film entitled "RedBelt." TP also released new signature bachi drumsticks.

In Fall, 2007, TP performed as a guest artist with Mu Daiko in Minneapolis, Minnesota and performed in Dallas, Texas. TP also performed for the first time in China, performing at the Wynn Macau Hotel & Casino. TP was also signed to the Artist Roster for Gary Lindsey Artist Services for a two-year North American touring contract.

In Spring, 2008, TAIKOPROJECT traveled to Louisiana to shoot a scene for the feature film "Tekken," to be released in 2009, directed by Dwight Little. Upon returning, they recorded taiko bass tracks with acclaimed music producer Sam Spiegel for hip hop star Kanye West's North American tour. TAIKOPROJECT also toured to Arizona, Nevada, Iowa, and Illinois for various special events and performances.

In Summer, 2008, TP performed at the prestigious Los Angeles County Museum of Art and completed their first Hawaiian tour with sold-out performances in Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu. TP returns to the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre for "Rhythmic Relations 2008" on July 12 & 13. TP was also the first taiko group in residence at the Orange County Fair in July, 2008.

In August, 2008, TP collaborated with the Masanga Marimba Ensemble for an exciting, free concert of taiko and marimba at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. In October, 2008, TP performed in sold-out shows in Lake Tahoe, California, Moab & Logan, Utah, and made their Mexican debut at the Festival Internacional de Chihuahua. In October, 2008, members of TP traveled to Athens, Greece, to perform in a three-month long run of "Night + Day," a musical production featuring Antonis Remos at the Athens Arena. In December, 2008, TP was featured in the L.A. County Holiday Celebration, broadcast on KCET during the holidays.

In February, 2009, TP shot an episode of the upcoming MTV reality game show, "The Phone," produced by Justin Timberlake. The episode airs in early May. TP is slated to perform in the biggest film event of the year, the 81st Academy Awards, in a musical medley for the "Best Song" category. The medley features songs from the acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire.

In Spring, 2009, TP embarked on their biggest tour ever, with performances and workshops in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona! Afterwards, TP performed in residency in Bishop, California, and returned to Bar Sinister for their third performance of "Drums of Darkness." TP headed to Chicago in May to collaborate with Project Bandaloop for Jam Productions' production celebrating the grand opening of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. In the summer, TP returned to the OC Fair, and conducted workshops for the North American Taiko Conference.

In Fall, 2009, TP marked another milestone in their history by moving into their own dedicated studio space in Long Beach, California. The new space is the only taiko studio in all of Southern California, and educational programs for both beginning and advanced taiko students are being developed by the company.

In Spring, 2010, TP toured to Fort Wayne, Indiana and performed to a sold-out house at the Arts United Center, produced by the Fort Wayne Dance Collective. TP was also booked for a week-long residency program at the second largest performing arts center in the U.S., the Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio, and conducted their most extensive workshop tour to date, working with Moab Taiko Dan, Denver Taiko, Fort Wayne Taiko, Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko, Kokyo Taiko, Dublin Taiko, Pittsburgh Taiko, Oberlin College Taiko, Icho Daiko, Smokin' Bachi Taiko, and Kyorei Taiko Kai. Upon returning from the tour, the group was invited to perform with rock band 30 Seconds to Mars at a sold-out show in LA's famed Greek Theatre.

In Summer, 2010, TP performed with music legend Stevie Wonder on his hit A Time To Love as part of a world-drumming all-star band at the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. TP was also featured in FAMSA's 2010 Kurazai marketing campaign in Mexico. TP recently produced their home concert, "Rhythmic Relations 2010" at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in celebration of their 10-year anniversary, and released their first CD, "Surrounding Suns." TP also traveled up to Mt. Shasta, California, to perform at the largest taiko festival on the West Coast, ShastaYama 2010, and recorded at the world famous Capitol Studios with Squeak E. Clean Productions for the 2010 Target Kaleidoscopic Fashion Spectacular in New York City. TP also received three grant awards for 2011, from the Department of Cultural Affairs Cultural Grant program and Creative Exchange Initiative and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

The TAIKOPROJECT is endorsed by the Asano Taiko Company, Ltd., one of Japan's oldest and most prestigious taiko drum-makers. Formed in 1609, only the world's top taiko groups play on Asano drums, such as Kodo and Ondeko-za.

The extended family of the TAIKOPROJECT includes...

Bombu Taiko
Bombu Taiko is a community-based taiko group founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple. Bombu Taiko is instructed by members of the TAIKOPROJECT. Named by Rinban Noriaki Ito after the "Bombu" of Buddhist philosophy, Bombu Taiko in its short lifespan has performed throughout Los Angeles at numerous events and gatherings, including the Nisei Week Festival, the L.A. Marathon, and gala events and dinners. "Bombu" loosely translates as "ordinary people" or the "unenlightened masses," and the joy of playing together is stressed in the group, as well as the Buddhist taiko philosophy developed by Rev. Masao Kodani and Kinnara Taiko, which emphasizes letting go of one's ego and just having fun.

For more information on Bombu Taiko, contact Lisa Shimamoto.

Kitsune Taiko
Kitsune Taiko was founded in 2002 at the Los Angeles Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple along with Bombu Taiko and is named after the mysterious and mischievous kitsune fox of Japanese folklore. The fourteen-member ensemble consists of seven girls, who have claimed the "Shakko," or red fox, and seven boys who have claimed "Genko," the black fox as their mascot. Together, they create Kitsune Taiko, the baddest youth taiko group to hit Little Tokyo. Kitsune Taiko members are: Terrell Ewen, Laurel Kitada, Claire Lee, Ashley Mark, Teia & Emma Meigneux, Davis Momii, Kyle Robinson, Christopher Tokita, Noelle Wada, Ashley Ima, Wylie Kasai, and Sean Okada.

The "Chibis" of Kitsune Taiko were formed in 2009 and consist of ten very energetic and loud youngsters aged 8 to 10. The Chibi members are: Kyla Dang, Courtney Ima, Clarissa Kiyomura, Melissa Lim, Lauren Noda, Taylor Ota, Emi & Jon Powers, Erik Tompkins, and Kyle Woo.

For more information on Kitsune Taiko, contact Courtney Deguchi.

Loma Pacific Taiko
Loma Pacific Taiko is the newest taiko group to join the TP family, formed from the first students to start learning taiko in TAIKOPROJECT's Long Beach Studio. This lively group made their performance debut at the Rhythmic Relations 2010 concerts on July 10 & 11, 2010 at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

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