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Daihachi Oguchi

Daihachi Oguchi, the master Japanese drummer who led the spread of the art of taiko drumming to the United States and throughout Japan. Oguchi helped found top taiko groups, including San Francisco Taiko Dojo, which has performed in Hollywood movies and on international tours since forming 40 years ago. A former jazz musician, Oguchi was one of the first to elevate the traditional folk sounds of taiko to modern music played in concert halls, not just festivals and shrines. He led and starred in the performance of drumming and dance at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Olympics. Along with Kabuki theater and ukiyoe woodblock prints, taiko is one of Japan’s most popular and respected art forms in the West. Part dance and part athletics, modern taiko can be dazzlingly visual and acrobatically physical. Taiko drums, especially the ones that tower over the players, make dramatic booming sounds. A taiko drum is made from a single hollowed out tree trunk with cowhide strapped tightly across it. Oguchi was one of the first composers of modern taiko, writing catchy tunes based on historical themes, like samurai storming on horses, and helping to make taiko a household word in Japan. His film work includes Deep Rising (1998), "Amano-Naru-Tatsuo Dai-Kagura" (arranger), and Step Across the Border (1990) (musician).


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Daihachi Oguchi: Taiko Drum Master Silenced

Read "Daihachi Oguchi: Taiko Drum Master Silenced" reviewed by Randall Robinson


A former jazz drummer, Daihachi Oguchi took ancient rhythms, broke them down and created new arrangements and compositions to accommodate an ensemble of drummers. He helped turn the traditional form into a dramatic performance spectacle. Elevating the traditional folk sounds of taiko to modern music played in concert halls, not just festivals and shrines. He led and starred in the performance of drumming and dance at the closing ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Olympics.

Taiko is a powerful ...

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Education

Emeryville Taiko Announces Classes Events

Emeryville Taiko Announces Classes Events

Source: All About Jazz

Happy New Year from Emeryville Taiko! Susan Horn and all the Emeryville Taiko students wish you a joyous 2009!

We are starting the year energized and ready to drum! Whether your new year's resolution is to get more exercise, make new friends, develop your musical side, or have more fun, taiko may be just what you are looking for. We hope you will join us!

January Classes Sensei Susan Horn is back from her Italian adventures and has ...

172

Education

Emeryville Taiko Director Susan Horn Made a Dream Come True

Emeryville Taiko Director Susan Horn Made a Dream Come True

Source: All About Jazz

Emeryville Taiko Announces workshops and concert series for November in the Bay area

Emeryville CA location is closed; classes temporarily canceled Sadly, we are unable to continue using our Emeryville location for classes and workshops due to occupancy permit issues. Until we find an alternate space we have reluctantly suspended our classes and lecture/demo sessions. See below for details and please check our website for updates on our situation.

November workshop We haven't quit drumming entirely. We will ...

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Obituary

Daihachi Oguchi Ambassador of Japan's Taiko Drums to America

Daihachi Oguchi Ambassador of  Japan's Taiko Drums to America

Source: Michael Ricci

Daihachi Oguchi, 84; drummer led spread of 'taiko' style in U.S. and Japan

Daihachi Oguchi, the Japanese master drummer who led the spread of the art of “taiko" drumming to the U.S. and throughout Japan, has died after being hit by a car in Tokyo, an official at his ensemble said. He was 84. Oguchi was crossing a street when he was struck by a car Thursday. He was rushed to a hospital but died of excessive bleeding early Friday, ...

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