| Magical power of the Japanese drum
with
Leonard Eto
and
Michiko Yamada (Japanese flute - Nohkan and Shinobue)
Suji (tip tap) project by Change Performing Arts Program
1. Ocean (O-Taiko)
2. Chappagogo (Chappa)
3. Ocean Blue (Oke Taiko)
4. Kiyoki Mizutama (Taiko set, Shinobue)
5. Shime-Shime (Taiko set, Nohkan)
6. Moon slider (O-taiko, Taiko set, tip tap)
7. Mince (Oke Taiko, tip tap)
8. Yume no kioku (Taiko set, tip tap)
9. Samayou (O-Taiko, Shinobue)
10. Irodori (Oke Taiko, Shinobue, tip tap) Grown musically in the group of percussionists Kodō– which in Japan is a respected institution like a symphony orchestra - Leonard Eto has created a personal style that makes his performances a concentration of sonorous power and instrumental virtuousness.
Eto is capable of exploiting the maximum potential of the great Taiko drum proposing pieces brimming with strong emotion: he loves transmitting the vigour of his music to the audience and induces them to dance while listening to his music.
Deviating from the traditional Japanese tradition, Eto shuns the idea that theTaiko is somehow confined to solemn ceremonies and his intention is to awaken its magic powers and energy.
The "three essential tools" of Leonard Eto’s music are the Hirado O-taiko (large drum), the Oke Taiko (a smaller drum with a strap which can be played in motion) and the Chappa (brass cymbals). Traditionally considered as accompanying instruments, since the ´80s, thanks to Leonard Eto, they have assumed a leading role, not only in the group Kodō – where Eto was musical director for several years – but also on the world music scene, following the numerous international collaborations that mark his career. | Leonard Eto
Born in New York in 1963, he joined the famous Japanese drum group KODŌ in 1984 as musical director and composer. Eto wrote some pieces that have become famous in the repertoire of Japanese percussion such as "Zoku" and "Irodori”.
Since 1992, he has played solo, self producing multi-disciplinary projects like LEO PROJECT, which combines dance, live painting and music and LEO CLUB, performance of improvised music. International collaborations have taken him to perform in 35 countries, with events of great interest such as The Great Music Experience at the Great Buddha Todaiji temple in Nara, Japan (1994), with Bob Dylan, INXS, The Chieftains, Bon Jovi, the composer Michael Kamen, Ray Cooper and Roger Taylor (Queen). During the various editions of the MEGADRUMS Europe Tour (1990, ´93, ´99) and international festivals and events, he collaborated with famous world-known artists like Zakir Hussein (tabla), Andreas Vollenweider (harp), Milton Cardona (percussion), Doudou Ndiaye Rose, Max Roach, Michael Shrieve (Santana), Siouxsie Sioux, The Creatures and others.
Leonard’s musicality is defined by H. Kawasaki in the “Mainichi Newspaper”: “The festive, bright essence and the primitive joy of Leonard’s music can easily transcend ethnic barriers. Just let yourself be carried away by the sense of freedom that the sounds he creates convey – that’s all you need to do”.
For cinema, Eto has collaborated for the film soundtracks of JFK, The Lion King, The Thin Red Line, The Hunted and others.
Tsu-ku-tsu, commissioned by the American dance company PILOBOLUS, soon became one of the most representative works of Leonard Eto’s bustling and transverse talent. The debut of Tsu-Ku-Tsu in Boston in 2000, opened the road to a great success with critics and spectators in New York at the Joyce Theater in June of that same year. |
