Ichitaro (Taiko drummer)
Ichitaro (Japanese: 壱太郎), Japanese Taiko drummer (born 1 March 1975 in Kuwana, Japan).
Ichitaro was born in Kuwana, a small town in the Mie Prefecture of Japan. In the year 1990, he joined then-revolutionary Japanese Drummers Group Ondekoza and run 15,000 km across the United States over the next 3 years. During that time he managed to give over 500 concerts at a wide variety of venues, among them 4 performances at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City. His mentor was Den Tagayasu, the founder of Ondekoza, who gave him the stage name of Ichitaro with his wishes for him to become the No.1 Wadaiko drummer in the world (Ichi means one in Japanese).
Before his debut as a solo drummer in the summer 2004, he has given more than 2000 performances alongside Ondekoza several spots around Europe and Asia. His solo performance was held at the Tokyo Cultural Hall.
In 2008, he performed at the opening ceremony of the World Sumo Wrestling Championships, which took place in Rakvere in Estonia. This was followed by several performances around Estonia and Finland, including a guest performance at the 2009 Estonian Song Festival parade.
In 2010 started with thunderous applause and standing ovation in Turkey and Algeria when the Japan Foundation, within the framework of celebrations for "Japan Year 2010 in Turkey", selected Ichitaro as a main performer in a series of concerts in Turkey as well as Algeria.[1]
In the summer of 2010, a Nordic tour titled “Fujin Raijin” was launched with several performances at major festivals in Finland such as World Village Festival in Helsinki, Tampere Theater Festival, Kotka Sea Festival and collaboration works with the Japanese embassies, Tallinn Philharmonic Society and Musik- & Teatermuseet in Stockholm.[2]
And, for 2011, a tour around Northern Europe is being planned.
Outside of performing, Ichitaro is also known for his compositions, which include not only traditional instruments but also more modern musical styles, such as Jazz.
Ichitaro is being promoted by Daigo Takagi in Europe.