Taikoza 's first album: Beginnings has been nominated in the Asian Ethnic/Language Album Nominees for the Just Plain Folks 2004 Music Award
Here is a link and info about them
http://www.jpfolks.com/MusicAwards/2004/AlbumNominees.html
You can also hear Taikoza in the new Nintendo game: RedSteel
web site:
http://redsteelgame.us.ubi.com/
Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum percussion group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement.
The Taikoza CD: beginnings includes most of the songs from the concerts.the music of taikoza Brings the audience to exillerating moments, with songs on the large taikos, to very peaceful and beautiful and moving moments with songs performed on the shakuhachi.
Reviews form Media:
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Newspapers quotes
“Taikoza has moved the drums into the foreground and into an exciting visual explosion”
The Dothan Eagle
The concert was full of stirring music….from the most delicate and mournful bamboo flute song to the loudest and most pulsating beat, the dedicated passion of the group was inspiring.
The Richmond News leader
Few adjectives can explain the sound, emotion, and overall experience of the pounding drums of a live performance….my senses were rattled.
Nichi Bei Times
“magical”
Boston Herald
Something strange and wonderful is coming your way. There was thunder and there was lightning and there was the sea crashing against a cliff, and there were birds, and volcanoes spitting fury at mortals, and festivals...For a few utterly transporting minutes … there was expressed in the metaphors of merciless rhythms and fluttering melodies, anything a listener had experienced, would experience, could imagine experiencing.
Eric Hubler, Washington Post
In its choreography and its vigor taiko becomes almost a martial art, one in which violence has been sublimated into disciplined exultation…a blend of high-decibel virtuosity and songful shakuhachi solos…Precision and energy are paramount here and the product, for me at least, was medicinal. It is a combination narcotic, stimulant and vitamin pill. It left one listener feeling better on exit than entry.
Bernard Holland, New York Times
Taikoza was formed in 1995 by Marco Lienhard in New York City in collaboration with other professional Taiko players. Their love for the Taiko art form transcends national boundaries, bringing new energy to this ancestral form. Taikoza has performed in Europe, Asia and have extensively toured North America (including Canada and Mexico).
Several of the members have been members of Ondekoza for many years. The members of Taikoza have collaborated with Kodo, San Jose Taiko, SF Taiko Dojo, Oedo Sukeroku Taiko, Kenny Endo Ensemble, Sawai Ensemble, Southern All Stars, Anthony Brown, James Newton, Mayuzumi Toshiro, New York City Opera and many more. Outside of the US, they have toured in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, England, Japan, Canada and Mexico. Taikoza prticipated in the Cherry Blossom Festival( regular performers also for other events at BBG) at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival, the Beale Street Festival in Memphis and numerous Asian Festivals in colleges and communities on the East Coast.
They also perform regularly for corporate events (Merrill Lynch, Gillette, Ameritech, City of Los Angeles, PriceWaterhouse Coopers). They have presented workshops and presentations for schools in the New York area for Young Audiences, Arts Connection, Lincoln Center Institute and Symphony Space. Members of Taikoza also regularly give workshops to the taiko community in America, Europe and in Japan (the annual Kosa
International Percussion workshops in August, N. America Taiko Conference 1999 and 2001, Sonoma Taiko Camp, Shoji Tabuchi Show in Branson, MO, Circle Ensemble Taiko workshop in Leiden, NL and many others).
Concerts in New York, the East Coast, California, Japan and Mexico are scheduled for 2002.
The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates also the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the Koto (a 13 string instrument) to create a new dimension and a powerful impact on the audience. Taikoza uses drum that are 3 feet in diameter and weigh up to 170lbs. The largest is a 6 foot drum that is 4 1/2 in diameter.
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