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Shasta Taiko
Shasta Taiko was founded in 1985 by Russel Hisashi Baba and Jeanne Aiko Mercer, both recognized artists in traditional and contemporary taiko, new music, and jazz.
| Russel Baba, Jeanne Mercer, Masato Baba - ShastaYama 2006 | Photo: Bob Hsiang |
Shasta Taiko's mission is to introduce, teach, develop, promote, and preserve the art of taiko and related music and arts, thereby culturally enriching the community and artistically evolving the art.
| Julie Bennett, Eli Marconi - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Tom Pava |
Starting with grant awards from the California Arts Council and sponsorship from the Mount Shasta Parks and Recreation District, Baba and Mercer have offered lessons and exposure to traditional and modern taiko - Japanese style drum - to the Mount Shasta community.
| Richard Berchett, Rebecca Duff - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Tom Pava |
Shasta Taiko was one of the first American taiko programs to include children, and Russel and Jeanne continue to inspire, influence, and develop "next generation American taiko artists."
| Kelsey Demarest, Eli Marconi, Jessica Catlin - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Gary Ono |
Former Shasta Taiko members who started taiko as children, Masato Baba and Shoji Kameda, are now recognized a leaders of a new taiko generation. Recent high profile performances for these two include the 2009 Acadamy Awards for Masato and the 2008 National Democratic Convention for Shoji.
| Shoji Kameda, Jeanne Mercer, Masato Baba - ShastaYama 2006 | Photo: Bob Hsiang |
Baba and Mercer began their taiko training with Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1972. Their contribution to the development of taiko in American is significant.
In 1996, Baba and Mercer established a successful annual formal taiko show - Shasta Taiko In Concert.
| ShastaYama 2006 | Photo: Bob Hsiang |
In 2005, the yearly show successfully expanded outdoors to Mount Shasta's Shastice Park and was renamed ShastaYama. ShastaYama is now developing into a major taiko and music festival.
Baba and Mercer were recognized as influential American taiko pioneers at the Big Drum: Taiko in the United States exhibit at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles and at the North American Taiko Conference sponsored by the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.
| Russel Baba, Jeanne Mercer - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Gary Ono |
They led the 1st National Summer Taiko Institute for young American taiko leaders and have performed and led workshops for 5 North American Taiko Conferences, 5 National Collegiate Taiko Invitationals, and 3 Northwest Regional Taiko Gatherings.
| Jeanne Mercer | Photo: Bob Hsiang |
Russel and Jeanne and former Shasta Taiko menbers, Masato Baba and Shoji Kameda, are also featured along with others in several national video documentaries and studies on American taiko - most notably, "Spirit of Taiko," and "Big Drum."
| Russel Baba | Photo: Bob Hsiang |
A video documentary, "Shasta Taiko," also won the 16th Annual National Cable ACE award in cultural affairs.
"Spirit Drum - Taiko Stories From America," is a CD recording of their original work and features former Shasta Taiko members, Masato Baba and Shoji Kameda.
| Eli Marconi, Rebecca Duff - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Tom Pava |
Shasta Taiko members perform for area schools and organizations, and for community benefits and events. Performing members have toured the west coast from Los Angeles to Alaska.
| Distance Floating - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Gary Ono |
Shasta Taiko repertoire consists of original compositions by Baba and Mercer, some based on traditional Japanese taiko rhythms, some with world music and jazz influences, and some inspired from nature.
| Wanda Welbourn, Ethan Catlin - Shasta Taiko, ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Gary Ono |
Besides an “orchestra” of drums of various sizes and tones, the compositions often utilize a variety of percussion as well as wind instruments - Japanese bamboo flutes, Mexican clay flutes, saxophone, conch shells, and Australian didgeridoo - combined with dramatic choreography to present a colorful auditory and visual experience.
| Shasta Taiko - ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Jim Gilmore |
ShastaYama
ShastaYama's vision is to establish a major festival that combines high quality arts presentation with the majestic natural beauty of the Mount Shasta area.
| Shasta Taiko - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Gary Ono |
ShastaYama's vision is to present a wide variety of musicians and taiko artists and further the development of the arts by encouraging original works as well as support and showcase younger artists.
| Shasta Taiko - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Jim Gilmore |
ShastaYama provides exposure to inspirational guest artists while giving focus and valuable experience for Shasta Taiko students and the community.
| Chizuko Endo, Kenny Endo - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Gary Ono |
With sponsorship from Shasta Mountain Playhouse, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer established a successful local annual formal taiko show, Shasta Taiko In Concert in 1996 at the College of the Siskiyous in Weed, California.
| Masato Baba - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Gary Ono |
In 2005 the sell-out Shasta Taiko In Concert series expanded successfully outdoors to Mount Shasta's Shastice Park and was renamed ShastaYama.
| Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka & San Francisco Taiko Dojo - ShastaYama 2006 | Photo: Bob Morris |
Guest artists are recognized as leading American taiko artists - Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and San Francisco Taiko Dojo, American Taiko Master Kenny Endo, San Jose Taiko, On Ensemble, TaikoProject, Masato Baba, Shoji Kameda, Michelle Fujii, Yuta Kato, and Toru Watanabe, as well as Alaskan Native Yup'ik Eskimo drum, song, and dance group, Pamyuaa.
| Michell Fujii, Toru Watanabe - ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Jim Gilmore |
ShastaYama is a way of creating a celebration of life and a healthy positve event involving the Mount Shasta community as well as a greater taiko and arts community.
| ShastaYama Odori (dance) - ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Tom Pava |
| Shoji Kameda, Masato Baba, Kris Bergstrom - On Ensemble - ShastaYama 2008 | Photo: Tom Pava |
ShastaYama mission is to create an atmosphere where music and art, tradition and creativity are honored, encouraged, and presented with care, respect, and love.
| San Jose Taiko - ShastaYama 2005 | Photo: Jim Gilmore |
| ShastaYama 2007 | Photo: Jim Gilmore |
Review Quotes - Shasta Taiko and ShastaYama
"The entire Shasta Taiko performance was more than anything a discussion, a discussion of the ability to blend cultures while still remaining distinct in each culture's identity. Their performance was a powerful, yet very gentle, call for peace and understanding..."- Nikkei West
- Hokubei Mainichi News
"Drumming around the Mountain for 20 years...a Japanese American couple brought taiko's ancient rhythms to sleepy Mount Shasta, changing themselves and the town."
- Los Angeles Times
"...original arrangement of traditional taiko rhythms...individual solos of impressive complexity and imagination amid a clean, well crafted ensemble texture."
- San Francisco Chronicle
"Shasta Taiko...pushed the bounds of traditional music, bringing a new creativity that will carry taiko into the next generation...fashioning a new cultural and artistic tradition."
- Anchorage Daily News
| Photo: Steve Gerace |
"Shasta Taiko blends music, movement, and spirituality...When spirit can't be put into words, it takes the form of "taiko."
- Redding Record Searchlight
"The sounds of Shasta Taiko drew rave reviews...The show sold out in advance and concert-goers cheered loudly throughout the night...a most memorable performance...riveting...powerful..."
- Southern Siskiyous News
"(Shasta Taiko's community) activities have enriched the lives of countless local children and adults who take taiko lessons, as well as the lives of those of us who have seen them play, or heard the special guests."
- Mount Shasta Herald
"At times thunderous, at times sublime...Shasta Taiko's concert packed the house...with appreciative fans of all ages. Performers drew loud and numerous rounds of applause."
- Dunsmuir News
"For pure energy, excitement, creativity, and enjoyment, Shasta Taiko's concerts are something not to be missed."
- After Five (Redding, CA)
| Masato Baba, Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Yuta Kato - ShastaYama 2006 | Photo: Bob Hsiang |