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On Ensemble
Thursday, March 4, 2010 / 7:30 p.m.
With Japanese drums at the foundation of its world fusion mix, On Ensemble takes the ancient instruments of taiko into new realms. Infusing the powerful rhythms of ensemble Japanese drumming with elements of hip-hop, rock and electronica, On Ensemble’s unique sound has been praised as “completely original and brilliantly conceived.” Modern Drummer magazine calls On Ensemble “an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums.”
On Ensemble’s four members, Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda and Kelvin Underwood are individually recognized as leading artists in their field. Sought after as teachers, workshop leaders, composers and performers, On Ensemble members have been featured in the music of the hit TV show “Heroes”, in the David Mamet movie “Redbelt” and performing with Stevie Wonder at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. As On Ensemble they combine their study and deep appreciation of tradition with equally formative experiences as DJs, electronic music producers, Jazz drummers, and rock bassists to create a repertoire of ground-breaking music.
From outdoor festivals and concert halls to gymnasiums and classrooms, On Ensemble has shared its unique music and outreach programs with audiences throughout the United States and Japan. After a debut concert in northern Japan and its first western-US tour in the spring of 2002, the group received the Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award, “in support and recognition of emerging artists of promise who are furthering the development of Asian Pacific American performing arts.”
In 2005, On Ensemble released its first studio album “Dust and Sand” to critical acclaim. The independently produced album spent several months on the New Age Reporter charts reaching as high as number three in October of 2005 and continues to enjoy national airplay. In 2006, the ensemble released its first DVD “Neiro”. In 2007 the ensemble released their first live CD and their second DVD “Live at the Cerritos Center” and is currently working on their second studio-recorded album.
Constantly looking for new ways to utilize taiko, On Ensemble seeks out collaborations with adventurous artists. In 2006, the ensemble spent a week in Montreal developing and performing “Project GO” with multi-talented percussionist, Patrick Graham. In 2007, On Ensemble combined forces with Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble to present SYTE/ON: TAIKOx2 to a sold-out house at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. In the same year, On Ensemble collaborated with renowned choral-music composer, Eric Whitacre, to develop and perform the world-premiere musical, “Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings” to great critical acclaim. In March of 2009, On Ensemble will be presenting a concert with taiko master, Kenny Endo, at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.
For all of their avant-garde musical explorations, On Ensemble is supported by one of Japan’s most important traditional-culture bearers, Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, instrument maker to the emperor of Japan. This support empowers On Ensemble to utilize authentic, rare Japanese instruments in its fearless exploration of taiko.
Member biographies
Masato (Maz) Baba
Born into a musical family, Maz started playing taiko at age 6 under the tutelage of his parents and professional taiko players, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer. In his twenty-four years of studying, performing, and teaching, Maz has become one of the most respected taiko players in North America. He has toured the United States, Japan, Macau, and Germany and has recorded with many of North America’s leading taiko artists. He was featured in the David Mamet film “Redbelt” and lends his talents as Musical Director to “TAIKOPROJECT: (re)generation” a multimedia theatre production. Maz is also sought after as a teacher and workshop leader and serves as lead instructor to several Los Angeles-based taiko groups.
Kristofer Bergstrom
Kris began his taiko career as a member, composer, and leader of the university group, Stanford Taiko. He then spent 3 years in Japan where he studied and performed traditional dance within the Wakayagi school, kumidaiko with Nihon Taiko Dojo, and nagauta shamisen with Kineya Katsuyukie, one of the world’s most respected shamisen players. An artist of many talents, Kris maintains an active teaching schedule of taiko technique, turntable scratching, and shamisen, and currently serves as mentor to a small group of dedicated apprentices. In 2008 Kris received his natori (professional stage name) for nagauta shamisen from the Kineya School where he is known as Kineya Katsukoujyu. He is one of only a handful of musicians in the United States who have achieved this status.
Shoji Kameda
Shoji started playing taiko at the age of 8 and has played continuously since. In 2006 he was selected through a highly competitive process as an Asian Pacific Performance Exchange fellow, collaborating with master artists from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the USA. He produced On Ensemble’s critically acclaimed CD “Dust and Sand” and composed an original score for “Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story”, Audience Award winner for Best Documentary at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival. In 2007 Shoji was invited to Malaysia as a guest artist for “Qadim” a production at the Nation Arts Academy. He was featured in the music of the hit NBC TV show “Heroes” performed with Stevie Wonder at the 2008 Democratic National Convention and continues to tour and record with the Grammy nominated Jazz fusion band Hiroshima.
Kelvin Underwood
Born in North Carolina, Kelvin’s musical journey began with a drum set and two understanding parents. At age 19, Kelvin was recruited by Tagayasu Den to join the world-famous taiko group, Ondekoza. As a member of Ondekoza he has performed in some of the worlds most prestigious stages including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Tokyo’s Suntory Hall. After touring internationally for four hears, Kelvin returned to the US to enroll at Berklee College of Music, where he graduated with a degree in Professional Music. He has collaborated with electronic-instrument-maker Sudhu Tewari to produce “Meidoko: Unearth” and has studied the Brazilian martial art Capoeira. Currently living in Ashland, Oregon, Kelvin teaches taiko and drum set and is an active solo artist
(Biography courtesy of the artist's website)
