Fubuki is a pop-up Japanese drumming show (Taiko) created by ensemble members Olga Ehrlich and Kathy Eichholz of Mountain River Taiko and Abby Kingman of Kozen Taiko. Mountain River Taiko was founded in 2011 by director Olga Ehrlich to bring this drumming form and performing art to the Pioneer Valley and Western Massachusetts. The mission of Mountain River Taiko is to increase intercultural awareness by sharing the joy of playing taiko drums. Kozen is the first taiko ensemble in New Hampshire. Before joining Kozen Abby was a member of Mountain River taiko. Abby stated playing taiko in 2013 and has enjoyed making new friends from around the world through a shared love of the art of taiko. Fubuki represents the first collaboration of these three performing artists in the Pioneer Valley. Meaning “Snowstorm”, Fubuki will be a dynamic and emotionally-charged set of songs including the taiko drums of various sizes, the horizontal bamboo flute, or “fue”, hand cymbals, and much more. Taiko means “drum” in the Japanese language. When used to describe contemporary taiko, it usually refers to the ensemble of players on drums and other accompanying instruments. While the drums themselves have ancient origins in Japan, group taiko playing, referred to as “kumi daiko” is relatively modern, having been popularized in Japan in the 1960’s, and the rest of the world beginning with the famous marathon-running taiko group Za Ondekoza in the 1980’s. Expanding our understanding of peoples who share our Earth is foundational to living in peace and respect, our highest ideal. Working cooperatively in the context of learning taiko music and preparing for performance, or offering workshops in the community, fosters our respect for one another and those with whom we share this dynamic percussive art.
Contact: Olga Ehrlich, Director Mountain River Taiko PO Box 983 Williamsburg MA 01096 (602) 432-5059
