Acclaimed Japanese American drumming ensemble TAIKOPROJECT will commemorate a quarter-century of groundbreaking performances with a special one-night-only 25th Anniversary Celebration. The event is set for Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the prestigious Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. This milestone concert will also feature GRAMMY® Award-winning Chicanx band Quetzal and versatile soloist Sumie Kaneko.
Event Details: A Night of Rhythm, Collaboration, and New Music
The 25th Anniversary concert promises an unforgettable evening, showcasing TAIKOPROJECT’s signature blend of traditional Japanese drumming with modern American innovation. Attendees will be among the first to experience the group’s fourth studio album, aptly titled “25,” which will be released at the concert. Additionally, an EP recorded in collaboration with fellow Los Angeles artists Quetzal will also debut.
Guest performers include the GRAMMY®-winning band Quetzal, known for their unique fusion of Chicano rock, rhythm and blues, and son jarocho, and Sumie Kaneko, a master instrumentalist and vocalist recognized for her work on the koto and shamisen in both traditional and contemporary genres.
Tickets, starting at $35.00, will be available from May 10, 2025, via www.taikoproject.com or by calling (213) 268-4011.
TAIKOPROJECT: A Legacy of Modern American Taiko
Founded in Los Angeles in 2000 by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers led by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba, TAIKOPROJECT quickly defined a contemporary American style of Taiko. They infused traditional forms with a fresh, innovative aesthetic, elevating a folk art to a compelling concert attraction.
Early Successes and National Recognition
TAIKOPROJECT made international headlines in 2005 when they became the first American Taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest, surpassing all Japanese competitors. This victory was swiftly followed by their prominent feature in a Mitsubishi Eclipse national advertising campaign—a first for Taiko in mainstream advertising. The group’s dynamic performances also caught the attention of major brands like Nike and Target for subsequent commercial features.
Touring and Educational Outreach
Following these successes, TAIKOPROJECT signed with a touring agency, expanding their reach beyond their regular Southern California performances at venues like The Ford. They have since graced the stages of premiere performing arts centers across the United States, including the Ordway Center in St. Paul, MN, Meany Hall in Seattle, WA, and Gammage Auditorium in Phoenix, AZ.
Beyond the concert stage, TAIKOPROJECT has become a vital part of the Los Angeles Music Center On Tour, delivering inspiring performances to students and local communities, sometimes conducting as many as 100 shows annually.
A History Forged in Innovation and Community
TAIKOPROJECT’s journey began with a vision to create a new, exciting form of Taiko performance. Bryan Yamami, reintroduced to Taiko drumming at the University of Southern California, saw the potential to blend its traditions with the dynamism of other performance arts. “We envisioned something that was young and fresh,” Yamami stated. “We had a community of performers with a diverse group of performance skills that we could shape into a more exciting Taiko show that would go beyond just two hours of drumming.”
An early and enduring partnership with Asano Taiko Company, one of Japan’s premier Taiko drum makers for over four centuries, provided the ensemble with authentic, high-quality instruments crucial to their sound. Support from the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) and its then-Executive Director, Gerald D. (Jerry) Yoshitomi, was instrumental in TAIKOPROJECT’s early development, providing rehearsal space and facilitating their first tour.
The group’s artistic evolution has been continuous, with founding member Masato Baba, a renowned Taiko drummer, bamboo flute player, and composer, remaining a key figure. Choreography has also become integral to their shows, with longtime member Yumi Saito, an accredited Nihon Buyo performer, contributing her expertise since 2007.
Celebrated Collaborations and Performances
TAIKOPROJECT boasts an impressive history of collaborations with a diverse array of world-renowned artists, including Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Hans Zimmer, Alicia Keys, and John Legend. Their dynamic performances have been featured at the 2009 Academy Awards, the 2011 GRAMMY® Awards, and numerous television shows such as NBC’s “The Voice,” “Conan,” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live.” More recently, they performed at Ubisoft Forward 2024 for the “Assassin’s Creed Shadows” game reveal.
Esteemed Awards and Continued Accolades
The ensemble’s contributions to the arts have been widely recognized. In 2021, TAIKOPROJECT was honored as one of “America’s Cultural Treasures” by the Ford Foundation, in association with the J. Paul Getty Trust and the California Community Foundation. They also received the prestigious Visionary Award from East West Players in 2012.
In 2023, they were selected for the Western Arts Alliance Performing Arts Discovery (PAD) program, and in 2024, performed at the Coachella Festival with 88Rising’s Atarashii Gakko and at the iHeartRadio Music Festival. A major three-year grant from the Perenchio Foundation was awarded to TAIKOPROJECT last fall, citing their “proven track record of artistic excellence, community partnerships, and steady leadership.”
About the Guest Artists
Quetzal: GRAMMY® Winning Chicanx Innovators
GRAMMY® award-winning ensemble Quetzal narrates the social, cultural, and political stories of humanity through their relentlessly innovative music. Influenced by Chicano rock, rhythm and blues, JB funk, Cuban batá, punk, and Motown soul, Quetzal’s live shows are known for their tenderness, fervor, and vivid storytelling. Having graced stages across the US, Canada, Asia, and Mexico for nearly 26 years, their work has been recognized by institutions like the Library of Congress and The Kennedy Center, and their instruments are part of the permanent display at the National Museum of American History.
Sumie Kaneko: Master of Traditional and Experimental Japanese Music
New York-based Japanese artist Sumie Kaneko is a master of traditional koto and shamisen repertoire and a pioneer in their use in jazz and experimental music. She has collaborated with a diverse array of visionary international artists, including Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Project, and has performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. Kaneko has released two albums, with her second, “Dead of the Night,” being well-received for its unique sounds.
The Enduring Legacy of Taiko
Taiko drums, with origins in 6th-century Japanese folklore, have a rich history evolving from tools of warfare and communication to integral parts of festivals, temple rituals, and theatrical performances. In the mid-20th century, kumi-daiko, ensemble drumming performances, gained popularity. For Japanese Americans, particularly the Sansei (third generation), Taiko became a significant cultural activity during the civil rights movement, often centered in community centers and temples. The global popularity of Taiko surged after the debut of groups like Kodō in the 1980s.
With Gratitude
TAIKOPROJECT’s programs and performances are made possible through the generous support of numerous organizations, including the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, the Perenchio Foundation, the Japan Foundation, and many other foundations and individual donors.
Calendar Listing
TAIKOPROJECT 25th Anniversary Celebration Featuring Quetzal and Sumie Kaneko Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM
Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
Ticket prices begin at $35. Available starting on May 10, 2025, at www.TAIKOPROJECT.com Or by calling (213) 268-4011.