Collaborations with artists of various disciplines:

• Music
• Dance
• Theater
• Film and Video
• Visual Artists
• Taiko Groups

Artist and Performer Bios of Featured Artists

Kiyohiko Semba

The son of Koyu Semba, head master of the Semba School of Japanese traditional music, Kiyohiko Semba took up traditional drums and percussion under his father at the age of three. He made his debut on the Kabuki stage at the age of 10 and has been pursuing his career as a musician ever since.

As a distinguished percussionist, of deep musical capacity, Semba has developed his many and diverse activities not only on the Japanese traditional music scene but also in pop music and various traditional music genres.

Most recently, in 1999, Semba released his third solo album, Semba, a Kozuchi (mallet) of Rhythm in which he exhibited his talents on 80 different percussion instruments. In the same ear, he formed his new group, “Unit Semba” with the talented bassists, Nobou Nakahara and Benisuke Sakai, which later became “Semba Sonic Spear,” and released the group’s first album Sonic Spear in 2003.

Kaori Takahashi (electric violin)

Kaori Takahashi began playing violin at the age of four with lessons from her father. After graduating from Toho Gakuen University, she received the Tasaki Pearl Corporation Scholarship to study at the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland.

In 1987, Ms. Takahashi was accepted to the Art Academy of Berlin where she graduated in 1991. She moved to Dusseldorf where she was active in contemporary music. Since returning to Tokyo in 1992, she has been performing and recording classical, jazz and popular music.

Kaoru Watanabe (flute/fue)

Born in July 3rd, 1975 to St. Louis Symphony musician parents.  Started playing classical flute and taiko (Japanese drum) in early middle school.  Graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan before moving to New York to study Jazz Performance at the Manhattan School of Music.  Performed and recorded with Stefon Harris and Jason Moran on Blue Note Records, among others.

Moved to Japan after graduation in order to learn Japanese, to try toget to know his Grandparents and other relatives better and to study Japanese music.  In Tokyo studied Noh Kan (flute used in Noh and Kabuki theater) with Hiroyuki Matsuda, and the fue (bamboo flute) music of Edo Matsuri Bayashi with Kiyosuke Kobayashi.  Moved to Sado Island in 1998 to become an apprentice with the drumming ensemble Kodo.  As an apprentice, spent the next two years learning taiko, various traditional folk dances, singing, tea ceremony, Noh, and Kyogen, growing rice and other vegetables, and waking up before sunrise to run 6 miles every morning.

After finishing the apprenticeship, became a performing member of Kodo, drumming, dancing and singing, but primarily as a fue player. Was able to travel the world with Kodo, performed original compositions on stage at Carnegie Hall with Mom in the audience.  In 2005 became Artistic Director of Earth Celebration, Kodo’s annual world music festival held in Sado every summer. Left Kodo in September of 2006 and has moved back to New York City to continue making music on the fue and flute in a variety of settings as well as teaching fue and taiko.  Still works closely with Kodo and will continue to hold the position of Artistic Director for Earth Celebration.  Spends a good deal of time in both the US and Japan, continuing his studies and performing.

Rhythm Summit Trio

This trio was born from a unique collaboration made possible by the Honolulu Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts in 2008, bringing together the artistry and musicality of world class artists, Kenny Endo (taiko, bamboo flute, percussion), Noel Okimoto (drums, vibraphones, percussion), and special guest Dean Taba (acoustic and electric bass) for an extraordinary East-West collaboration.  Endo is the vanguard of contemporary taiko and has created novel compositions from his background in western, eastern, and world music and through his belief that tradition is the basis for innovation.  Okimoto is a Royal Hawaiian Band member, composer, vibist, and considered the #1 jazz drummer in Hawaii.  Together with cutting edge guest artist Dean Taba on bass, they have created compelling music, blending rhythms and sounds from east and west.  Watch for their CD release in 2010.

Noel Okimoto (drumset, vibraphones, marimba, percussion)

Born and raised in Hononlulu, Noel Okimoto has been playing professionally since the age of ten, and is now considered one of the best drummers in Hawaii.  He got his Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion at the University of Hawaii.  Noel has played in Hawaii, the Mainland, and internationally with Freddie Hubbard, the Woody Herman Orchestra, Stan Getz, Bobby Hutcherson, among others.  He was also a member of the Gabe Baltazar group for five years.

Okimoto is also a very accomplished orchestral percussionist, vibist, composer and clinician.  He has played percussion with many luminaries, including Henry Mancini, Nelson Riddle, Steve Allenn, Natallie Cole, Bob Hope, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, and Dionne Warwick.

Dean Taba (bass, percussion)

Now a highly regarded studio and freelance musician, Dean Taba began his musical studies on the piano at the age of six and played french horn in the Hawaii Youth Symphony.  It was a desire to play in the high school jazz band that introduced him to the bass and improvised music.  After extensive studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a refinement of his skills on both the acoustic and electric bass, Dean relocated in 1984 to Los Angeles to become one of its most in-demand musicians.

Also a respected clinician and educator (Los Angeles Music Academy, Musician’s Institute, Cal-Poly Pomona, Grove School of Music), Dean has recently performed/recorded with David Benoit, Mark Murphy, Jake Shimabukuro, Hiroshima, and many others as well as playing on countless CDs, TV shows, and movie sound tracks.

In spite of his busy schedule, Dean is always sure to devote time to writing music for his own projects; the latest of his three CDs is The Camarillo Waltz.  This recording features 10 of Dean’s innovative jazz compositions.  Dean emphasizes, “I am grateful for every opportunity to make and share music.”