Features

• Russel Baba
• Jeanne Mercer
• TaikoProject
• Seiichi Tanaka
• Masato Baba
• Michelle Fujii
• Toru Watanabe
• Jun Daiko
• Shoji Kameda
• On Ensemble
• Kenny Endo
• San Jose Taiko
• Son Returns
• Spirit Drum
• Taiko Drums
• Somei Yoshino Taiko Ensemble

Masato (Maz) Baba - Guest Artist

ShastaYama 2010 Guest Artist

Masato is considered one of America's most outstanding taiko talents. He began taiko training at the age of 6 when his parents, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer, founded Shasta Taiko.

As a member of Shasta Taiko, he gained the valuable experience performing, teaching, and touring throughout his formative years.

Masato polished and refined his taiko skills for over 7 years touring world-wide with renowned American Taiko Master Kenny Endo. He also served as the Youth Director of Endo's Taiko Center of the Pacific based in Honolulu.

Baba studied taiko in Japan with Nihon Taiko Dojo and Japanese flute with Kyosuke Suzuki of the Wakayama School.

Masato Baba has emerged as one of the most respected taiko artists in America. He is a pivotal member of highly acclaimed ON Ensemble and is the Musical Director of TaikoProject: (re)generation, a multimedia theater production. Maz also is the lead instructor for several Los Angeles based taiko groups.

Baba was featured in the DVD Spirit of Taiko, a history of American taiko that focuses on 3 American taiko generations represented by Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, and Masato Baba. Masato and TaikoProject performed at the 2009 Acadamy Awards.

Masato Baba is influencing and inspiring the growth of taiko, performing and conducting workshops across the country. With his parents, Masato is helping to establish and develop ShastaYama's growing reputation.