Upcoming activities- June!

My warmest regards to all those who visit this website. I hope to see you at some of these upcoming events: June 8th Wednesday Zebulon, Brooklyn with Chris Dingman, Matt Kilmer, Tim Keiper http://www.zebuloncafeconcert.com/

June 10th Friday WAH (Williamsburg Art and Historical) Center, Brooklyn Benefit for Japan http://www.wahcenter.net/exhibits/2011/artjapan/

June 11th Saturday Philadelphia, PA Alicia Hall Moran's Motown Project West Chester Poetry Conference honoring Robert Pinsky http://www.wcupoetrycenter.com/conference-schedule

June 14th Tuesday Brooklyn Heights Workshop

June 18th Sunday Ottawa Workshop with Oto-Wa Daiko

June 23, 24, 25, 26 Minneapolis Mu Daiko presents: Kaoru Watanabe New Ensemble feat. Damion Reid, Barbara Merjan and Tamango http://www.muperformingarts.org/news/soul-drum

June 29 Washington DC Solo fue and taiko performance Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan 1150 18th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JICC/index.html

July 3rd Sunday Birthday Celebration TBA

July 5th Tuesday Japan Benefit at Tenri Gagaku and Beyond (TBA) feat Sadahiro Kakitani, Mana Hashimoto and myself

July 16, 20, 21, 23 Creative Walks in Prospect Park Participants will be blindfolded and encouraged to explore hearing, smelling and feeling nature while being serenaded with the sounds of fue and minimalistic taiko... http://www.createculture.org/page/summer-2011-creative-walks

May 28th Saturday - GalaNYC performance

I'm very excited to be working in collaboration with a pretty amazing group of artists. Hope to see you all there!

Kevork Mourad Armenian visual artist with the Silk Road Ensemble. Early on, he developed a technique of spontaneous painting, in which he shares the stage with musicians, his art created in counterpoint to their music. He has performed and exhibited in concert halls and museums all around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art and the 92nd Street Y.

Kristin Andreassen Winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Andreassen is an American folk singer in the band Uncle Earl, and a principal dancer with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble.

Mathias Kunzli Swiss-born world percussionist who has performed with artists as diverse as Lauryn Hill, Moby, Randy Brecker, Kayhan Kalhor, Yo-Yo Ma, and many more.

Triborough Trio The Triborough Trio is a unique new acoustic group comprised of cello, guitar and bass working out of New York City. Trio members Mike Block (cello), Hans Holzen (guitar) and Kyle Kegerreis (bass). The mission of the Trio is to put their personal spin on traditional and contemporary music while mixing and matching American string band styles with music from around the globe. Always drawing upon their individual backgrounds rooted strongly in Classical, Country, and Jazz they reinvent their various influences with well-crafted and creative arrangements.

Upcoming performances

May 15th SundayHighline Ballroom, NYC Marcus Miller Presents: A Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief featuring Q-Tip, Raul Midon, Angelique Kidjo, Questlove and more $45 advanced/$55 day of tickets 7:30 http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1966

May 22nd Sunday Fue and Taiko Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC Sachiyo Ito Salon Series http://www.dancejapan.com/events/upcoming-events.html 3 to 4 pm $15, $10 for seniors or students

May 28 Saturday Matt Kilmer/Tim Keiper Brooklyn Lyceum, Brooklyn GALA/NYC NYC Music Series 8 pm http://www.brooklynlyceum.com/ZPT/MORE?listingid=100371

Upcoming Performances!

Upcoming performances: April 29th Friday Wesleyan University Intro and Adv Taiko Student Concert This is the final student concert after my first semester teaching at Wesleyan World Music Hall 7pm Free

May 5th Thursday washington DC- private event

May 7th Saturday KWTC Taiko Ensemble Stony Brook Sakura Matsuri Stony Brook University Wang Center, LI noon to 5:30 (my performance around 4:30 http://matsuri.ryushukan.com/

May 8th Sunday KWTC Taiko Ensemble Asian Pacific Heritage Month Union Square (17th and Park Ave South) 4 to 4:25 (short demonstration) http://www.capaonline.org/

May 10th Tuesday Purchase, NY - private event

May 15th Sunday Highline Ballroom, NYC Marcus Miller Presents: A Concert for Japanese Tsunami Relief featuring Q-Tip, Raul Midon, Angelique Kidjo, Questlove and more $45 advanced/$55 day of tickets 7:30 http://www.highlineballroom.com/bio.php?id=1966

May 22nd Sunday Fue and Taiko Tenri Cultural Institute, NYC Sachiyo Ito Salon Series http://www.dancejapan.com/events/upcoming-events.html 3 to 4 pm $15, $10 for seniors or students

May 28 Saturday Matt Kilmer/Tim Keiper Brooklyn Lyceum, Brooklyn GALA/NYC NYC Music Series 8 pm http://www.brooklynlyceum.com/ZPT/MORE?listingid=100371

Michiyuki: New album available now

October 10, 2010 (10/10/10) Mari and I drove to our friend Tatsuya's house near Easton, PA.  Tatsuya and I spent four hours or so, playing improvised duets while Tatsuya recorded.  The resulting CD became Michiyuki, which is now available on CDBaby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kaoruwatanabeandtatsuyan (itunes coming soon!). On this recording, I play shinobue, ryuteki and noh kan with Tatsuya playing all sorts of bells, gongs, cymbals, drums using sticks, brushes and bows of all sizes.  Tatsuya is a master of texture and tones, creating multiple layers of sound and rhythm.  At many moments during the album, especially during the first track, there are moments where are sounds blend so well that it is difficult to distinguish when my sound ends and his begins.  In the second track, which is too me is a frenetic free jazz improvisation featuring the noh kan (the atonal flute used in Noh theater).  Some of my favorite moments are when one of us stops and simply listens to the other.

The music on this album travels across different sonic landscapes.  The title track, Michiyuki is the one that seems to travel the furthest and to the remote places.  I sincerely hope people enjoy the dialogue that Tatsuya and I have with each other and listen to the music with open ears and minds.

April 17th Philadelphia concert

7:30 concert Calvary United Methodist Church 801 South 48th Street (at Baltimore Avenue) buy tickets here

Soloists: NAOMI SATO - Sho (mouth-organ) NAOKO KIKUCHI - Koto RALPH SAMUELSON - Shakuhachi (end-blown flute) KAORU WATANABE - Nohkan (transverse flute)

http://crossroadsconcerts.org/?p=2567#more-2567

Montreal/Ottawa tour report

Had a great trip up north. Here is a youtube of what the project was about. http://www.youtube.com/user/pgpercussion#p/a/u/1/y7XNDtZCASQ It's always a pleasure working with my good friends Patrick Graham, Tomomi Morimoto and Ben Grossman and this time was no different. We had many magical moments on stage together and the audiences reacted very warmly to what we did. Our final performance was in Ottawa in a space run by a man Johannes Welsh who has one of the most impressive display of gongs I've seen. When we performed in front of these drums, they would resonate sympathetically with what we were doing, augmenting what we were doing with an almost un-discernible rumbling.

As a musical trio, Patrick, Ben and I took what we had developed two years ago and really took it in in different directions as our familiarity with each other grew. We also added a new piece to the program, a recent composition of mine called Together Alone. This piece was originally written for my wife, Mari, inspired by the idea that although my performing and teaching life takes me away from her for stretches of time, we are ultimate together not alone. To me, the piece has been given meaning due to the recent tragedy in Japan that has left many people very alone. I hope that somehow, the message of this piece resonates- in that none of us are really alone. Yes, I know this sounds very corny and sappy and mumbo jumbo-ey but forgive me this one time.

Patrick Graham's Rheo in Ottawa

Ottawa, April 9th

Patrick Graham's Rheo in Montreal

April 5, 7, 8 ,9

Performances with Kenny Endo (Pennsylvania)

Tues March 29   Slippery Rock University 1 Morrow Way, Slippery Rock, PA 16057 Auditorium at Advanced Tech/Science Hall (ATS building) 7:30-8:30 pm

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Wed March 30 Geneva College 3200 College Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010

Reed Student Union 12-12:45 pm

Student Center – The Brigadoon 8-9 pm

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Thurs March 31 Allegheny College Montgomery Auditorium 520 N Main Street Meadville, PA  16335 7:30 pm

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Fri April 1 Westmoreland Community College 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA  15697 Student Center Amphitheater 7 pm

Fundraising for Japan Taiko Jam Report

Last night (tuesday March 22nd), many of my students and musician friends gathered at the music venue Zebulon in Williamsburg for a small fundraising taiko jam. In a little over an hour, we managed to raise $1,876 from the small audience that was gathered there. I had earlier stated that I was going to try and raise $1000 but to be perfectly honest wasn't expecting to reach even that. I am very moved and humbled by the outpouring of compassion and by the great feeling that all of the performers put into the music. While I realize that the money may not make a huge difference considering the enormity of the suffering and devastation, I think that we found success at taking some of the feelings of hopelessness and despondency (that I personally had been feeling) and transforming it into a positive energy that can contribute to the rebuilding and healing process. Thank you to those who performed: Belinda Becker, Sheila Anozier, Kae Reed, Shogo Samata, Nobuko Miyazaki, Malika Duckworth, Barbara Merjan, Chikako Iwahori, Kelly Kuwabara, Yumiko Higaki, Ariel Shearman, Mari Nakano, a few special members of the audience including the great Hassan Hakmoun who jumped in for the final jam.

A special thanks to Marc Urselli, Yuka Yamamoto, Mark Hutmacher and Kelly for helping out, and to Joce, Jeff and the staff at Zebulon as well as the other three musicians who followed us who contributed all their money to the effort as well.

March 22nd Fundraising for Japan

Hello friends, I have decided to turn this gig at Zebulon in Brooklyn on March 22nd (a week from today) into a fundraising event for disaster relief in Japan. I plan on donating all money to a fund set up by Japan Society. A friend Oda Yosuke from Kodo was supposed to join us, but unfortunately his flight out of Japan was cancelled.

I'm asking musicians and friends to join me for some improvisations and also to help get the word out. I'm also trying to think of other ways to raise money instead of simply passing a basket around. Perhaps some sort of raffle.

Please let me know if you would like to help out in any way.

Tuesday, March 22nd 9 pm Japan Disaster Relief Fundraising Taiko Performance Zebulon 258 Wythe Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211

Thanks so much,

Kaoru

Workshops and performances in NYC March 17, 22, 24

March 17th Kojima Chieko workshop at KWTCMarch 18th w/ Alicia Hall Moran's Motown Project featuring Jason Moran and Thomas Flippin March 22 Zebulon Kaoru Watanabe Ensemble March 24th KWTC session with Yosuke

please visit www.taikonyc.com

On Ensemble 2.0, Cerritos Center, LA March 12th

TAIKO 2.0 On Ensemble with guest artists: Russel Baba, Jeanne Mercer, Kaoru Watanabe, Patrick Graham and Chieko Kojima Saturday March 12th, 8:00pm Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 12700 Center Court Drive Cerritos, CA 90703 Tickets $61/$49/$37 Box Office: (800) 300-4345

New website

Please check out my new website for KWTC (taiko school) at taikonyc.com

March Concerts

March 4th,5th w/Chieko Kojima(KODO)/Maze Daiko@Rhythmix-Alameda, CAMarch 6th Organic Orchestra@Electric Lodge (LA) March 12th On Ensemble@Cerritos Center (LA)

details below:

March 4th and 5th with Maze Daiko Principal dancer of the internationally renowned Japanese drumming ensemble Kodo, Chieko Kojima, and premier fue (bamboo flute) player and solo artist, Kaoru Watanabe (formerly Kodo performer and artistic director) have worked together extensively on Kodo’s stage to develop a visual and musical style of that transverse time and cultural boundaries. Chieko is known for her innovative interpretations of Japanese folk dance. Kaoru is a rare musician trained in both traditional and contemporary forms of eastern and western music. Together they reinvent tradition in our modern world with clarity and relevance. Rhythmix Cultural Works 2513 Blanding Avenue Alameda, CA 94501 t: 510.865.5060 e: info_at_rhythmix_dot_org http://www.rhythmix.org/content/11events/110305.html

March 6th Organic Orchestra https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/141528 Adam Rudolph leads his musicians in a structured improvisation. The score and conducting serve to generate as much aesthetic and functional focus as possible in the music while at the same time providing context and inspiration for the greatest expressive freedom possible of the performers. http://www.myspace.com/goorganicorchestra

March 12th On Ensemble with Russel Baba, Jeanne Mercer, Kaoru Watanabe and Patrick Graham at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is coming Saturday March 12th at 8pm! Russel, Jeanne, Kaoru and Patrick are four of our favorite artists to work with. We’ve been working on new material and it’s going to be one of best concerts to date! Tickets are on sale now and are available through the Cerritos Center box office.

Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts 12700 Center Court Drive Cerritos, CA 90703 Tickets $61/$49/$37 Box Office: (800) 300-4345 http://onensemble.org/

February Performances

February 1st, 9pm with Chris Dingman, Tim Keiper, Matt KilmerFebruary 8th 7:30 Mana Hashimoto's "Yumema/The Dream Between" February 13th 7:30 Joe Beaty's Morning Musuko@Tenri February 15th Alicia Hall Moran's "Motown Project"@Regatta Bar in Boston February 16th with Ishigure Masayo, Yale University February 26th adam Rudolph's Go:Organic Orchestra, Columbia University

details below:

February 1st (tues) 9 pm An encore performance of a new group consisting of Chris Dingman, Tim Keiper and Matt Kilmer at Zebulon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Zebulon 258 Wythe Avenue NY 11211-3914 (718) 218-6934 FREE

February 8th (tues), 7:30pm "Yumema/The Dream Between" choreographed and performed by Mana Hashimoto

Music by Kaoru Watanabe and Gregory Reynolds Film collaboration with Yuko Takebe Visual collaboration and stage Lighting by Fred Hatt

This piece was inspired by a Japanese story about a prince who has been dead a long time. His spirit wanders the earth and falls in love with a princess . Although the piece is based on The book of the dead by Shinobu Origuchi, the story is just a motif of the Yumema/Dream Between. When I dream, there are people I only see in my dreams. I often experience confusion between my dreams and reality. Between dream and reality, between life and death, between man and woman, between inside and outside, our reality exists in the delicate boundary of two opposite sides. I wanted to create a twilight evening of one woman's experiences through those boundaries. The style of dance is related to Butoh, a Japanese contemporary dance form. This piece runs 30 minutes.

Dixon place 161A Chrystie Street (Btwn Rivington & Delancey) New York, NY 10002 Ticket, $15, students_seniors $12 Ticket reservation and contact, 212-219-0736 Link to buy tickets: https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/799805 Web, www.manahashimoto.com

February 13th Morning Musume "The Only and Only Original J-Pop Big Band" $10 Tenri Cultural Institute 43A W13th street New York, NY 10011

Jan and February Activities

I've been making almost weekly commutes between Waterville, ME and New York- a seven hour drive. Why not fly? Two reasons: 1) I need a car in both Waterville and New York and 2) I am using my large Ojime Daiko in both places. The drives are for the most part not unpleasant. The radio, my ipod and the 7 hour long audiobook of Malcolm Gladwells Outliers have been wonderful driving companions. In Waterville, I am teaching a semester's worth of taiko and fue within a month at Colby College's "Jan Plan" program. I have taught a group of 16 students all sorts of performance tehniques but also have devoted a lot of time with readings and viewings of Gagaku, Noh, Kabuki, various Matsuri, contemporary taiko groups Osuwa Daiko, Oedosukeroku, Ondekoza, Kodo, as well as North American taiko groups. Their final exam is coming up on the 26th of January at 7 pm at the Colby College Rose Chapel. Please come if you happen to be in the neighborhood!

Also starting Jan 21st I am teaching taiko at Wesleyan University. 67 students auditioned for the intro taiko class and we had to whittle it down to only 20. I very sincerely stated that I would've liked to accept everyone, but of course that would've been unmanageable for a two hour class with a limited number of drums. I'm very impressed with the advanced students' dedication and look forward to offering what I can to their understanding of the music and culture of taiko. I'm NOT however, to be perfectly honest, looking forward to the 2 and 1/2 drive each way back and forth to Middletown, CT each week. Any suggestions for good audio books?

Performance with Alicia Hall Moran

Hello from Colby College in Waterville, ME. It's cold up here. I just finished three days of teaching taiko to first time students here as well as giving them an introduction to Gagaku, Noh, Kabuki and various Matsuri traditions in Japan. I've also been spending a good deal of time practicing and being creative with the music. Meanwhile, this is a clip from Alicia Hall Moran's Motown Project at Le Poisson Rouge featuring Adan Vasquez on harp and myself on taiko. The piece is an aria by Henry Purcell called "Ah! Belinda!" as undercurrent to Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?". The performance was in October of 2010.

What's Going On from Danielle Harleman on Vimeo.

Happy New Year!!

2010 was a pretty amazing year for me in many ways. Many wonderful performances and tours with Kenny Endo, On Ensemble, Adam Rudolph, Tamango, Semba Kiyohiko, Kodo, Alicia Hall Moran, Chris Dingman, Yumi Kurosawa and many more in Honduras, Panama, Trinidad, Costa Rica, France and all across Japan and the US (including twice in Hawaii!). I taught a course at Princeton University as well workshops and private lessons across the globe as well as my Taiko Center in Brooklyn. Last but certainly not least, I married the singular Mari Nakano, a wonderful person who has brought clarity and even more joy to my joyous life! I hope 2010 has been a blessed and important year for all of you as well.

With all my love,

Kaoru