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Tsukasa Taiko
Taiko Legacy

Copresented by MCA Stage and Asian Improv Arts Midwest

Performed on the winter solstice for the very first time, Chicago's biggest celebration of Japanese culture and jazz welcomes world-class percussionists Michael Zerang and Hamid Drake. Plus, Taiko Legacy 9 proudly marks the MCA debut by Ayako Kato, formerly of Yokohama and one of Chicago's eminent contemporary dance artists.

Perfect for families, Taiko Legacy bridges Japanese court music and jazz with giant drums, stylized kimono dance, and improvised music. Tatsu Aoki, the composer and prolific musician, joins Amy Homma to direct this festive program featuring Grandmaster Shunojo Fujima, Melody Takata (Gen Ryu Arts) from San Francisco, and Japanese classical masters Hyakkyo Fukuhara (bamboo flute) and Tsuruka Fukuhara (tsuzumi drum) from Tokyo.

Tsukasa Taiko, Taiko Legacy

Photo: Ken Carl

Tsukasa Taiko, Taiko Legacy

Photo: Ken Carl

Artists Up Close

  • MCA Family Day performance

Sat, Dec 8, 11 am

  • Frolic to the beat of the holidays when the drummers of Tsukasa Taiko peform and lead a hands-on demonstration for MCA visitors young and old.

FREE for families with children 12 and under

About the Artists

Taiko drumming is an ancient Japanese ceremonial art, more than 2,000 years old. Tsukasa Taiko, a program of Asian Improv aRts Midwest, is a performance company in Chicago that has expanded this ancient art by adding Asian Jazz artists that blend traditional with new improvisational jazz forms to create a contemporary stylized musical art form. Tsuaka Taiko also preserves, develops, and passes on the traditional concepts of Japanese art as a cultural legacy by offerings taiko drum instruction, music classes, and special workshops for traditional Japanese musical instruments for people of all ages. As an active performing group, Tsukasa presents over 50 shows a year, both locally and internationally. The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago has been home to their performances since 1997 and it has become a December tradition.

Tsukasa Taiko, Taiko Legacy

Photo: Ken Carl

Tsukasa Taiko, Taiko Legacy

Photo: Ken Carl

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Funding

Generous support for Taiko Legacy is provided by David Herro and Jay Franke.