TAIKOPROJECT Rocks Redlands Bowl

High-energy shouts paired with the rhythmic beating of a drum set the tone for the evening as TAIKOPROJECT performed at the Redlands Bowl as part of the annual Summer Music Festival. The Bowl was overflowing with people who wanted to catch a glimpse of the award-winning taiko group TAIKOPROJECT, with attendees arriving as early as 7:30 p.m. to get a good seat for the 8:15 p.m. show. Taiko, which is Japanese for drum, was the primary instrument used throughout the production. The Los Angeles-based group, which was started in 2000, blends taiko with storytelling, music, dance and multi-media to create a theatrical production which celebrates American taiko. “The rhythms and sounds of the world have been brought to Redlands,” said Redlands City Council member Jon Harrison during the intermission. TAIKOPROJECT’s song “Sieza,” or “Constellations,” combined the koto (Japanese zither), flutes, and of course the taiko. According to the event program, the song tells of a long journey made by using the constellations and stars as guides. To speed things up, the group performed “Many Sides,” which requires the drummers to dance around the drums, all the while still keeping the beat. The crowd was amused by each of the intricate movements the performers would make. The taiko group performed two more songs before Masato Baba; Artistic Director of TAIKOPROJECT came out to thank the crowd and the Redlands community Music Association, Inc. for bringing them to the venue. Baba then went on to say that taiko brings together many people because just like music there is something for everyone to like in taiko. The Redlands Summer Music Festival is held every summer and is put on by the Redlands Community Music Association, Inc. and runs until Friday, Aug. 23.