Bethel Council on the Arts

Shasta Taiko Drummers

Shasta Taiko's drumming roots are Japanese. Their performance includes original compositions, some based in traditional and contemporary taiko, and others influenced by "world", modern, American, and improvisational music. The origins of taiko drumming are in Japanese religious and ceremonial rituals and folk traditions. Taiko were also beaten in times of war to inspire and signal troops as well as intimidate the enemy. Shasta Taiko was started in 1984 by Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer, who each have more than 30 years of taiko experience and are recognized as pioneering Asian American taiko artists and musicians. Their taiko program was the first in America to teach and perform with children, and they have received numerous California Arts Council grants to offer taiko to the Mt. Shasta community. Performing with them for Cama-i will be Masato Baba, Shoji Kameda, and Lisa Carpenter. Shasta Taiko is honored to be invited again to Cama-i.

SHASTA TAIKO was started in 1985 by Russel Hisashi Baba and Jeanne Aiko Mercer, both recognized artists in traditional and contemporary taiko, new music, and jazz. Sponsored by the California Arts Council Artist in Communities grant and the Mt. Shasta Parks and Recreation District, Baba and Mercer have offered lessons in traditional and modern taiko - Japanese style drumming - to the Mt. Shasta community for 18 years. Shasta Taiko performs for various community events and has toured in California, Oregon, Nevada, and Alaska. They have produced successful sell out local formal Shasta Taiko Concerts and introduced world class artists to the area as well. Baba and Mercer each have 31 years of taiko experience, starting with Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. With the help of noted taiko maker, Mark Miyoshi, Russel and Jeanne have been recognized as leading Asian American taiko artists, and their work brings a new and refreshing approach to taiko. Their taiko program is the first in America to teach and perform with children and has developed some individuals who are emerging as exceptional artists and teachers themselves. A video documentary "Shasta Taiko" won the 16th Annual National Cable "ACE" Award in the cultural affairs category. A CD recording, Spirit Drum - Taiko Stories From America, " has original compositions by Baba and Mercer and features former Shasta Taiko members Masato Baba and Shoji Kameda.

Shasta Taiko's 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. 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, conch shells, and saxophone - combined with dramatic choreography to present a colorful auditory and visual experience.

Russel Hisashi Baba is a gifted musician and creative artist who has focused on refining an intuitive natural style. His distinctive sound on the saxophone and flutes and an innovative writing approach, have opened opportunities to work with esteemed artists in the creative and traditional fields - notably jazz musicians drummer Eddie Moore, violinist Michael White, and pianist Andrew Hill; taiko artists Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, and San Jose Taiko; and butoh dancer Min Tanaka. Russel may be one of the first Asian American artists to produce his own work with the critically acclaimed recording "Hisashi " in 1978. Since then he has produced "Earth Prayer" in 1992, which features Andrew Hill, and "Spirit Drum" with Jeanne Mercer in 1999. Russel has influenced and inspired his peers as well as the next generation in jazz and taiko and is a recognized pioneer in Asian American jazz. His work has received accolades in national music publications - DownBeat, Musician Magazine, Option, Jazz Times, CODA, and Cadence. Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer are current roster artists for the California Arts Council Touring and Presenting Program with their performing group, KOKORO.

Jeanne Aiko Mercer is a highly respected American taiko artist and pioneer. Jeanne's contribution to the development of taiko in America is significant, influencing her taiko peers as well as the next generation of taiko artists. She started her taiko training with Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and toured with the group for over 10 years. She co-founded Shasta Taiko with Russel Baba, and together they have received numerous California Arts Council grants to offer taiko to the Mt. Shasta community. Their work has received recognition for excellence in the greater taiko community as well. Russel and Jeanne were honored to lead the Is' Summer Taiko Institute in Los Angeles - a series of intensive workshops for young recognized taiko leaders throughout North America. Jeanne has carried her taiko expertise over to the modern drum set, performing on traps and taiko at various jazz venues with Russel and other jazz artists such as drummers Art Blakey and Eddie Moore, violinist Michael White, and pianist Andrew Hill.

Masato Baba is at the forefront of a new taiko generation, recognized for his powerful style and highly developed musical sense. Masato has been exposed to music and taiko all his life and began formal taiko training at the age of 6 years when his parents, Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer, formed Shasta Taiko. As a member of Shasta Taiko, he gained valuable experience performing, teaching, and touring throughout his formative years. Masato has expanded and refined his taiko skills under renowned American taiko Master Kenny Endo. He tours the world as a member of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, teaches at Endo's Taiko Center of the Pacific in Honolulu, and directs the Center's youth group. Masato appears on Endo's latest CDs, "Hibiki" and "Jugoya." He has formed the ON Ensemble with Kris Bergstrom, Michelle Fujii, and former Shasta Taiko member Shoji Kameda, performing their original compositions. The ON Ensemble was a recent recipient of the first Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award that recognizes "promising young Asian Pacific artists." Masato continues to work with his parents on various creative projects, and he is featured on Russel and Jeanne's CD recording, "Spirit Drum - Taiko Stories From America. " He is also a member of his parent's new performing group, KOKORO. Masato Baba is considered one of America's outstanding young taiko talents.

Shoji Kameda brings a refreshing spirit and a dynamic presence to taiko. At the age of 8 years, Shoji acquired the early passion for taiko as an original member of Shasta Taiko, where he developed his creative talents as a drummer and leader. He later became a pivotal member, composer, and leader of Stanford Taiko and went on to play professionally with San Jose Taiko and with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. Shoji has also served as an instructor at Endo's Taiko Center of the Pacific and has recorded on Endo's CDs, "Hibiki " and "Jugoya. " He has formed an exciting new taiko group, the ON Ensemble, together with Masato Baba, Kris Bergstrom, and Michelle Fujii. The ON Ensemble was the recent recipient of the first Duane Ebata Memorial Fund Award that recognizes "promising young Asian Pacific artists." Shoji continues to perform with Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer, is a member of KOKORO, and his playing can be heard on their CD, "Spirit Drum - Taiko Stories From America. " Kameda recently lived in Tokyo, Japan, where he studied traditional Japanese music and taiko forms - Edo-bayashi, wadaiko, and the hogaku-bayashi ko-tsuzumi. Shoji Kameda is recognized as one of the brightest young taiko performers in America.

Lisa Carpenter has been studying taiko and a Shasta Taiko member for 10 years. She also plays the drum set, Native American flute, and hammer dulcimer and has performed, toured, and recorded with several Seattle, WA and Memphis, TENN bands. Lisa has a solo hammer dulcimer recording, "Gentle Thunder - Awakening Remembrance " and has another CD "Taylor and Carpenter - So Much More" with singer / song writer Robin Taylor. Lisa Carpenter's enthusiasm and talent are a welcome addition to Shasta Taiko's spirit.

Shasta Taiko will perform Friday at 10:40 p.m., Saturday at 7:20 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. You can also meet them Up Close and Personal on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Room C15.