Nagata Shachu

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Nagata Shachu Japanese taiko and music group is proud to present, "Kaze" (Wind), featuring Toki Tatara - master bamboo flutist from Japan. The performance will be one that seamlessly combines the worlds of the thunderous and thrilling rhythms of taiko, the haunting and festive melodies of the shinobue (bamboo flute), and the flashy finger-picking riffs of three-stringed shamisen while exploring new possibilities for these traditional instruments.

Nagata Shachu 永田社中 , based in Toronto, has enthralled audiences with its mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. The group has toured widely throughout Canada, the U.S., and Italy, and has performed at major engagements in Lebanon and Mexico. While rooted in the folk drumming traditions of Japan, the ensemble’s principal aim is to rejuvenate this ancient art form by producing innovative and exciting music that seeks to create a new voice for the taiko. In addition to having recorded five CDs of original music and five DVDs, Nagata Shachu produces its own annual concerts focusing on the presentation of new works. For the last nine years, Nagata Shachu has produced a three-concert season, featuring collaborations with both local and international artists.

Toki Tatara 朱鷺たたら , born in Kyoto, has spent her musical life in the research of bamboo flutes. She actively composes and performs many of her own works, having cultivated both Japanese traditional and Western classical techniques. In pursuit of the full potential of the shinobue which is somewhat nostalgic in the souls of the Japanese people, Tatara performs music that touches upon the hearts of this generation. Tatara has recorded several CDs and is the Director of the Japan Shinobue Association, professor at Okayama Niimi Public University, and shinobue music club instructor at the Ueno Gakuen Music University.