East Winds, Inc. presents Taikoza
55 Park Ter. East, B-63
New York, NY 10034
Tel / Fax 212-569-1336
E-mail: Shaku8@aol.com, taikoza.com
Taikoza uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the Koto (a 13 string instrument).
Taikoza was formed in New York City by members of Ondekoza (the group that started the renaissance of taiko in Japan in the 60s and introduced Taiko to the world).
The members of Taikoza have performed in some of the most prestigious halls such as Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Suntory Hall, Osaka Festival Hall, Lincoln Center and many others. They have performed in Russia, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Switzerland, Germany, France, Mexico, Republic of Georgia, etc.
Performances include corporate events for Merrill Lynch, Gillette, Ameritech, City of Los Angeles, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, Dell Computers, PepsiCo, Bloomberg, Pfizer, Merck, Diesel, Sony, etc
Taikoza presents a very popular program for schools in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Philadelphia and Virginia area for Young Audiences and Symphony Space. Taikoza did a tour of Birmingham, AL area schools funded with a NEA grant that the Birmingham International Festival received.
Taikoza’s new CD has been nominated as best Asian Ethnic Album for the Just Plain Folks Music Award. Taikoza has appeared on different TV programs such as Macy’s Thanksgiving parade, the History Channel in “History vs. Hollywood” and ESPN S.U.M.O: The battle of the Giants.
Taikoza has recently recorded the music for the Nintendo wii game: Red Steel 1 and 2.
Marco Lienhard performed with ONDEKOZA for 18 years from 1981-1998. While touring as a professional taiko player in Japan, he studied shakuhachi under Maser Katsuya Yokoyama, quickly becoming a virtuoso solo artist. Lienhard also studied the fue and the nohkan (Noh theater flute) with Masayuki Isso. Lienhard has performed more that 3000 concerts in Europe, Asia, and North America with appearances at some of the world's most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, Hammerstein Ballroom, Boston Symphony Hall, Osaka Castle Hall, Hong Kong Cultural Center and Suntory Hall in Tokyo and he has performed with the NYC Opera. Marco Lienhard also teaches internationally and in the last year has been teaching and performing in New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Brazil and Agrentina.
In 1995, M. Lienhard founded the group Taikoza with which he has toured in Europe, Russia, Mexico and the US. Marco Lienhard is also the director and founder of East Winds Ensemble, a shakuhachi and koto ensemble based in New York with which he performs also internationally. Taikoza and East Winds Ensemble are part of a not for profit organization (East Winds, Inc.) based in New York that promotes Japanese music.
Lienhard has released many CDs (Taiko and Shakuhachi) to critical acclaim including Taikoza: Beginnings, which was nominated for best Wolrd music CD for the JPF awards. He can be heard on the award winning (best score) Nintendo Wii game: Red Steel. He also has recorded the sequel Red Steel 2 to come out next year. Lienhard has also appeared on many TV program including the NBC Macys' Thanksgiving parade, ABC's Regis and Kathie Lee, History Channel, ESPN, PBS and many more.
Soundtrack available on iTunes (as well as all CD by Marco Lienhard and Taikoza can be found also on cdbaby.com)
For more info:
www.marcolienhard.comwww.taikoza.comEast Winds Ensemble
55 Park Terr. East, B-63
New York, NY 10034
Tel / Fax 212-569-1336
E-mail: Shaku8@aol.com
Marcolienhard.com
Marco Lienhard formed The East Winds Ensemble in 1999 in New York City. The purpose of the group is to present concerts of traditional and modern music performed on Japanese traditional instruments, the shakuhachi and the koto. The members of the group are Ryuko Mizutani, Masayo Ishigure, Barbara Merjan and Marco Lienhard. Performances have taken the group to Japan, Mexico, Europe and around the US. The members have performed in some of the world’s most renowned halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Suntory Hall in Tokyo and Osaka Festival Hall.
Past concerts include, Symphony Space in New York, Salamanca Hall in Gifu Japan, concert in Tokyo, Museum of Art of Gifu, Concert for World Music Institute in New York, U of Maryland, Gettysburg College, Wesleyan College, University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, University of Missouri, St. Louis. Recording for Nintendo for a new game: “Red Steel”. In 2005, they released a best selling CD. Marco Lienhard has also released a few solos CD. Marcolienhard.com
East Winds organizational Mission statement
To advance public interest in and understanding of Japanese and other Asian music and performing Arts;
To expose the public to music from Japan and other Asian countries through workshops, performances and production of new works incorporating elements of Asian music.
To provide musicians with a forum to expose their work to the public and
To conduct any and all lawful activities which may be useful in accomplishing the foregoing activities.
East Winds, Inc. is actively involved with programs in the community with the groups Taikoza and East Winds Ensemble.
Taikoza
Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum percussion group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. Taikoza’s mission is to introduce this art form to the community through workshops and performances of high standard and quality.
Taikoza has recently performed in Bolshoi circus in Moscow, Dynamo Soccer Stadium in Minsk Belarus, Diesel Fashion Show at Hammerstein Ballroom. Schools and colleges throughout the Northeast.
Upcoming concerts:
St Louis concert at University of MO, 10/14
Madison Square Garden, sumo tournament 10/22/05
Tour in Russia 10/28-12/5
East Winds Ensemble
The East Winds Ensemble was formed in New York in 1999. The enchanted sounds of the shakuhachi and the koto will be featured in an exciting program of modern and traditional music performed by the main members of the group Masayo Ishigure and Marco Lienhard. They have released a CD to critical acclaim and have collaborated on many other projects. The members have performed in some of the world’s most renowned halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Suntory Hall in Tokyo and Osaka Festival Hall and Madison Square Garden.
Past concerts include, Symphony Space in New York, Salamanca Hall in Gifu Japan, concert in Tokyo, Museum of Art of Gifu, Concert for World Music Institute in New York, U of Maryland, Gettysburg College, Wesleyan College, University of Nuevo Leon, Mexico, U of MO St Louis.
