Live at Flushing Library(May,19)

May 19thLive with the Jacob Varmus group

6 pm @Flushing Library Queens Library Gallery, 89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica

for more information, please visit Queens Library site.

Matt Moran Quintet(May,17)

May 17th, 7:30pmMatt Moran Quintet Tom Chess, Matt Welsh, Kaoru Watanabe @Douglass Street Music Collective Festival DSMC 295 Douglass St btw 3rd and 4th Aves in Brooklyn closest train is Union St. M/R, but Atlantic/Pacific isn't that far.

Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Ensemble@MET(May,16)

May 16, 2009 Sat  *DATE CHANGE*Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Ensemble

2-4 PM @The Metropolitan Museum Asian Heritage Performance  Grace Rainey Auditorium free with admission to the museum

for　more information, click here (to MET event calender) MET newsletter http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/c/tag/hBJ-xgsARJhWhB7tu5tDXxNFF.AIGK1Iss/doc.html

live with Belinda Becker & Sheila Anozier @Drom(May 12)

May 12th  live with Belinda Becker & Sheila Anozier @Drom

8pm to 10:30pm 

Belinda Becker -- afro-caribbean freestyle dance

Sheila Anozier -- afro-haitian freestyle dance, vocals

Kaoru Watanabe -- western flute

Fabio Morgera -- jazz trumpet

Swiss Chris -- drums

Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn -- nyabinghi "akete" & kumina drums, vocals

Drom

85 Ave. A

between 5th & 6th aves  http://www.dromnyc.com/

Go: Organic Orchestra (May 11,18,25)

May 11th, 18th, 25th - 8:30 pmWith Adam Rudolph's Go: Organic Orchestra

@Roulette 20 Greene St. (btwn Canal and Grand) www.roulette.org $15 at the door

Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto of KODO(May.7)

Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto of KODOMay 7th, 2009 (thurs) as part of the NakaNaka series@Drom 7:30 start- two sets $20 @DROM 85 Avenue A, between 5th & 6th Streets www.dromnyc.com  /  212-777-1157 Yoshikazu, one of the premiere taiko players in Japan, has been mesmerizing audiences across the world for close to four decades.  In 1981 he was one of the founding members of Kodo, and has been the group's featured O-daiko player and center-man for the "Yatai-bayashi" climax ever since.  Yoko has been a specialist in the koto, dance and singing with Kodo since it's inception.  She recently performed two songs from her newly released album with Kodo and the New Japan Philharmonic in Tokyo.  Joining them will be New York based former Kodo member, Kaoru Watanabe on the Japanese flute and taiko.  Other special guests to be announced!

with Ty Citerman (of Gutbucket)(May,2)

May 2, 2009Ty Citerman (of Gutbucket) w/Kaoru Watanabe 8 pm $TBA @Vox Pop 1022 Cortelyou Rd (Ditmas Park, Brooklyn) www.voxpopnet.net with Reptet from Seattle afterwards

Live schedule in April ‘09

Please click the title to see for more information; with Mike Block@Caffe Vivaldi(Apr.1)

Kenny Endo demo & concert in KENTUCKY(Apr.2) 4 pm Lecture/Demonstration; 7:30 pm Concert

Sakura Matsuri in DC with Kenny Endo(Apr.4) approx 1:45 to 2:25pm

Saco Yasuma Yoin’ Unit of Seven@Roulette(Apr.8) 8:30pm

duo with Tatsuya Nakatani@Zebulon(Apr.11) 9:30 pm

NAKANAKA@DROM(Apr.16) 7:30 pm

Stony Brook Sakura Matsuri (Apr.25) approx 4 pm

Grinnell College w/Kenny Endo(Apr.30)

Yoshikazu and Yoko Fujimoto singing and drumming KASA workshop(May,6th)

May 6th, 2009 (wed) 4 to 6, 6 to 8 pm

$35 per workshop or $55 for two workshop

Two master musicians from Japan's acclaimed taiko ensemble Kodo will be giving a special workshop on May 6th at the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center in Prospect Heights in Brooklyn.

Yoshikazu, one of the premiere taiko players in Japan, has been mesmerizing audiences across the world for close to four decades.  In 1981 he was one of the founding members of Kodo, and has been the group's featured O-daiko player and center-man for the "Yatai-bayashi" climax ever since.  Yoko has been a specialist in the koto, dance and singing with Kodo since it's inception.     Workshop 1

KASANE UTA (singing workshop) 4 to 6 pm

Kiyari uta- from Miyake Island with Yoshikazu Hachijo- from Hachijo Island with Yoko

Both of these songs are performed in conjunction with taiko rhythms These two songs can be combined to form a beautiful duo, often with the male voice singing Kiyari and female singing Hachijo.  Both instructors are adept at working with people to overcome their inhibitions, sing with more volume and expression. $35

workshop 2

HANYA BUSHI Taiko/Dance/Song 6 to 8 Hanya Bushi*- folk dance from Sado Island- participants learn the taiko drum part, dance and song

A great mental and physical workout for people of ALL ages and experience levels.  Learn each component separately and then bring the parts together for a festive obon dance. $35

Where:

Renate Albertsen-Marton Gallery - The Village@Gureje 886 Pacific Street Brooklyn, NY 11238 (Btw. Underhill Ave and Washington Aves in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn) C or G to Clinton Washington, or NRQW to Atlantic Ave.  Please call for directions: 718 857 2522

please RSVP: kaoru@watanabekaoru.com

Grinnell College w/Kenny Endo(Apr.30)

April 30th, 2009Kenny Endo (KE) at Grinnell College with Kaoru Watanabe and Abe Lagrimas

@Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA)

Stony Brook Sakura Matsuri (Apr.25)

April 25th, 2009Stony Brook Sakura Matsuri

12Noon to 5:30PM　(approx 4 pm) @Stony Brook University

Performances: $10/Adults, $8/Seniors & Students, $5/Ages 6-12, Children 5 & under/Free V.I.P. Reserved seating/$15 Advanced purchase required, call: 631-632-7890 for VIP tix(seating very limited)

The Taiko Center of Los Angeles Kaoru Watanabe, Japanese Fue & Taiko Player, (formerly of internationally renowned Kodo) Masayo Ishigure and her Koto group, Miyabi, will once again grace the stage with the sounds of the Koto & Shamisen. Nihon Buyo Dance by Ichifujikai Okinawan Dance by Junko Fisher  Kenichi Ebina with Takahiro Ueno. Japanese Tea ceremony "Cha No Yu" presented by the prestigious Omote Senke School of Tea, NYC

http://matsuri.ryushukan.com/

NAKANAKA@DROM(Apr.16)

April 16th, 2009 Thurs NAKANAKA@DROM Eri Yamamoto/Kaoru Watanabe duo Haruko Nara Yoshizawa/Yoshiaki Masuo duo

$10 7:30 pm March 12th (thurs) @DROM 85 Avenue A, between 5th & 6th Streets $10 general admission www.dromnyc.com  /  212-777-1157

duo with Tatsuya Nakatani@Zebulon(Apr.11)

April 11th, 2009 Satduo with Tatsuya Nakatani@Zebulon

Tatsuya Nakatani (percussion) Kenta Nagai (guitar) Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese flutes and taiko drums) 9:30 pm, Free!

@Zeblon 258 Wythe Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211 (L to Bedford Ave) 718-218-6934 http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com/

Saco Yasuma Yoin' Unit of Seven@Roulette(Apr.8)

April 8th, 2009 Wed8:30pm Saco Yasuma Yoin' Unit of Seven@Roulette

Jason Kao Hwang - viola Ken Filiano - bass Steve Swell - trombone Kaoru Watanabe - flute, taiko Michael Wimbarly - percussion Sean Clements - percussion

Roulette 20 Greene Street (between Canal & Grand) Reservation / Tickets 212-219-8242 $15 (Senior / Students $10)

Sakura Matsuri in DC with Kenny Endo(Apr.4)

April 4th, 2009 SatKenny Endo/Kaoru Watanabe duo@Sakura Matsuri in DC

approx 1:45 to 2:25pm Pennsylvania Ave Stage@13th street http://www.sakuramatsuri.org/index_files/Page452.htm

Kenny Endo demo & concert in KENTUCKY(Apr.2)

April 2, 2009  ThursKenny Endo Ensemble lecture/demonstration & concert in KENTUCKY

4 pm Lecture/Demonstration; 7:30 pm Concert Murray, Kentucky - Wrather Hall, Murray State University

with Mike Block@Caffe Vivaldi(Apr.1) CANCELLED!!

April 1st, Wednesday with Mike Block@Caffe Vivaldi 9:30-11 (FREE!)

Well, Mike and Dan will be playing but I unfortunately will be missing this one.  Reasons why too long to list here...

The taiko class in Brooklyn is happening however!  Thank you.

1)  Mike Block (cello) and Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese/Western Flutes) and 2) the return of MANDIKE!!!! with Dan Cords, Saxaphone

At Caffe Vivaldi in the West Village -- FREE! all ages welcome!

32 Jones Street (inbetween 6/7 avenues just north of Bleeker) TRAINS: 1 train to christopher st., or A/C/E/F/V/B/D trains to W 4th http://caffevivaldi.com/- bring an appetite - they have good food and beer!

Live schedule in March ‘09

Please click the title to see for more information; Live with Jason Moran / Alicia Hall Moran （March,1) 4 pm@First United Methodist Church(CT)

duets with vibraphonist Chris Dingman(Mar.5) @Le Grand Dakar(NYC)

guest with Bonten - a taiko group from Japan(Mar.6) 7pm@Cornell University in Bailey Hall(NY)

New DROM Japan Series (Mar.12,26)

Taiko x2: On Ensemble and Kenny Endo(Mar 28) @Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts(CA)

Kaoru Watanabe/ Adam Rudolph / very special SURPRISE GUESTS?! @DROM(Mar.29) @DROM(NYC)

Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center Update late Feb/March activities '09

Here is the schedule for Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center classes.  Please mark these in your calendar NOW not later. Feb 25　(wed)　4 to 8  *come and leave anytime during from 4 to 8 pm for the cost of one class

March 1  (sun)*CANCELLED* due to a performance with Jason Moran and Alicia Hall Moran

March 4  (wed)　4 to 8  *come and leave anytime during from 4 to 8 pm for the cost of one class

March 8 (sun)　4 to 6 / 6 to 8  (student recital??  TBA)

March 11　(wed)　4 to 8  *come and leave anytime during from 4 to 8 pm for the cost of one class

March 15　(sun)　4 to 6 / 6 to 8

March 18 (wed)　4 to 8  *come and leave anytime during from 4 to 8 pm for the cost of one class

March 22 (sun)　4 to 6 / 6 to 8

March 25 (wed)　4 to 8  *come and leave anytime during from 4 to 8 pm for the cost of one class

March 29 (sun)　*CANCELLED*  performance at DROM with Adam Rudolph and VERY special guests

Kaoru Watanabe/ Adam Rudolph / very special SURPRISE GUESTS?! @DROM(Mar.29)

March 29Kaoru Watanabe/ Adam Rudolph / very special SURPRISE GUESTS?! @DROM

Matsuri Sawagi, a mosaic of music, dance, drink and merriment that embodies the multifaceted elements of the new Naka Naka series at Drom - featuring heavy grooves produced by taiko drums, middle eastern and African percussion, Japanese flute, song, dance and more.

$10 **In order to create a festive atmosphere and to encourage people to join in the spirit, anyone wearing kimono/yukata or other such Japanese garb will get in free!**

Kaoru Watanabe (Japanese and Western flutes, taiko drums) Adam Rudolph (percussion) Brahim Bribgane (percussion) Nahoko Sugiyama (belly dance) Kazumi Kitamura (belly dance) Lela Sayoko (belly dance) Rich Kameda (magician) PLUS Very Special Guests from Japan and beyond! The focus of the NakaNaka series will be on contemporary expression of Japanese music and culture by Japanese or by others inspired by the vibrant Japanese art scene. The goals of the series would be to: ●Showcase high quality performers in contemporary music, art, photography, dance, video and other art forms with an emphasis on Japanese expression. ●Foster a community feeling among Japanese and people interested in Japan - to hopefully encourage greater interaction and networking in an informal setting. ●Encourage greater interaction among the artists themselves through jam sessions and collaborative projects.

Naka Naka will explore collaborations involving jazz, experimental, pop and traditional music, dance, photography, live painting, the culinary arts and beyond and will present exciting shows on a regular basis, allowing DROM to become a hub of Japan themed multidisciplinary and multicultural conversations in downtown New York.

The series will be curated by musician Kaoru Watanabe, a former performing member and director of the internationally acclaimed Japanese taiko ensemble Kodo. He was the artistic director of Kodo’s world music festival Earth Celebration for several years before returning to New York.

@DROM 85 Avenue A, between 5th & 6th Streets $10 general admission www.dromnyc.com 212-777-1157