REDL

ANDS BOWL PERFORMING A

RTS

98th AnnualSummer Music

Festival

The2294thEvent

THE MASTER OF CEREMONIESMike Reynolds

________________________________________________________________________________

This program is generously sponsored by Redlands Community Hospital________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, July 27, 2021● 8:00 p.m.

New BeginningsComposed by Masato Baba

and Bryan Yamami(2016)

ExpandingComposed by Masato Baba

and Bryan Yamami (2003)

Tsuki E (To The Moon)Composed by Masato Baba, choreographed by Yumi Saito

(2010)

Mute Composed by Blaine O’Brien

(2018)

Many SidesArranged by Masato Baba

(2004)

Shototsu (Collision)Composed by Masato Baba, choreographed by Yumi Saito

(2015)

TotalityComposed by Masato Baba

(2021)

Seiza (Constellations) Composed by Masato Baba

and Emily Yoshihara (2010)

Omiyage (Gift-giving)Composed by Shoji Kameda, conceived by Bryan Yamami

(2004)

Here We Go Now!!Composed by Masato Baba

and Bryan Yamami (2006)

PROGRAM

THIS EVENING’S PERFORMERS

Liz Au

Masato Baba

Jen Baik

Courtney Deguchi

Jenny Mimura

Blaine O’Brien

Yumi Saito

Doug Sakamoto

Audrey Tu On

Bryan Yamami

Masato Baba,Artistic Director

Yumi Saito,Choreographer

Bryan Yamami,Executive Director

Sueko Oshimoto,Costume Designer

TAIKOPROJECT is sponsored by theAsano Taiko Co., Ltd. and represented by

Harmony Artists

For more information,visit www.TAIKOPROJECT.com

Follow us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram! @taikoproject

Program and cast is subject to change

PERFORMERS BIOGRAPHIES

Masato Baba (Artistic Director) is a founding member of TAIKOPROJECT.He began playing and studying taiko at the age of six under his parents, jazzmusician Russel Baba and taiko drummer Jeanne Mercer, who were among thefirst members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. He was also a member of theKenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, and director of their Youth Group, The Taiko Centerof the Pacific. In addition to being a member of On Ensemble, he is recognizedas one of the leading next-generation taiko and shinobue performers in theUnited States.

Yumi Saito (Choreographer) began studying and performing Nihon Buyo(traditional Japanese dance) at the age of 3 under Mme. Hanayagi Rokumie. In2002, under the training of Mme. Hanayagi Wakana, she earned her natori(stage name), Hanayagi Wakaseira, from the Hanayagi School in Tokyo, Japan.After furthering her studies, she returned to Japan in 2006 and earned her shi-han (teaching degree). She began playing taiko in 2002 with the collegiategroup, Jodaiko at UC Irvine, and joined TAIKOPROJECT in 2007.

Bryan Yamami (Executive Director) founded TAIKOPROJECT in 2000 withthe idea simply to create a modern American expression of taiko with the bestnext-generation taiko players. Bryan served as creative lead for the acclaimed2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial, for recording sessions for Nike and Target,and for the group’s appearances on the 2009 Academy Awards, the 2011Grammy Awards, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, and the Late Late Show. He has per-formed with John Legend, DJ Tiesto, rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, Sean Paul,Reggie Watts, and Stevie Wonder.

Follow Us!facebook.com/redlandsbowl • Twitter: @redlandsbowl • Instagram: redlandsbowl

NEXT EVENT OF THE SEASONFriday, July 30, 2021 – 8:00 pm

J2B2 John Jorgenson Bluegrass BandJ2B2 is an all-star bluegrass supergroup featuring John Jorgenson on acousticguitar, mandolin, and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar, and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals.The four combine forces to form a spot-on union of impeccable musicianship,incomparable songwriting, incredible harmony vocals (a fresh twist combinesbluegrass with elements of West Coast folk rock) and seasoned showmanship.The “high lonesome sound” of American roots music at its finest.

COMPANY HISTORY

TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers. Theywere seeking to create a truly American style of taiko, blending traditional forms in which they were raised, with an inno-vative and fresh aesthetic approach to the Japanese drum. Over the past 21 years, they have garnered critical acclaimfrom all over the world and amassed an impressive resume.

TAIKOPROJECT first made waves when they became the first American taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo Inter-national Taiko Contest in 2005, beating out all the Japanese taiko groups in attendance. That same year, they were castin the Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial, the first and only national ad campaign to prominently feature taiko. They followedthat up with performances in some of America's highest profile events, including the 2009 Academy Awards and the2011 Grammy Awards. In 2012, TAIKOPROJECT performed for the televised National Cherry Blossom Parade in Washington,DC, the Fall X-Factor semi-finals, Syfy's Face/Off, and was honored with the annual Visionary Award from East WestPlayers. In 2013, TAIKOPROJECT was featured in rock band 30 Seconds to Mars' epic "Up in the Air" music video and ap-peared with the band on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival. They have also garnered nationalrecognition by receiving major arts grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the MAPFund, and the Japan Foun-dation. In 2021, they were named one of “America’s Cultural Treasures” by the Ford Foundation and Getty Foundationwith a major grant award from the inaugural LA Arts Recovery Fund.

TAIKOPROJECT has performed and recorded with some of the world's most well-known musical artists, including StevieWonder, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, A.R. Rahman, John Legend, Sean Paul, producer Squeak E. Clean, as well as internationalstars such as Greek singer Antonis Remos, Persian singer Mansour, and DJ Tiesto. TAIKOPROJECT’s recent collaborationsinclude Chieko Kojima and Ryutaro Kaneko of KODO, Grammy Award-winning Chicano rock band Quetzal, Kabuki expertDavid Furumoto, and shamisen virtuoso Sumie Kaneko.

SMOKING: By a City of Redlands Ordinance, no smoking or vaping is permitted at Redlands Bowlperformances.SEATING: No seats may be reserved by leaving items unattended for any program by ruling of theCity Council. Seating is not permitted in the orchestra pit area.CAMERAS: No filming, recording or photographing is permitted without prior written consent of theartists and Redlands Bowl Performing Arts.IN CONSIDERATION OF THE PERFORMERS AND FELLOW AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Kindly refrain from talking during the performance. We ask that adults closely monitor their children. Pleaseturn off cell phones and other electronic devices. LASER POINTERS: The use of laser pointers duringperformances at Redlands Bowl is prohibited.DOGS: NO DOGS PERMITTED, except for service animals, at the Music Festival per Redlands CityOrdinance #220, Section One: 12.40.110.AISLES: For your safety, all aisles must be kept clear during performances.

REFRESHMENTSAt intermission the Optimist Club of Redlands sells water, soda, candy, popcorn, and other snacks.RBPA and the Assistance League of Redlands Assisteen Auxiliary will sell ice cream, frozen treats, andfans to benefit the summer music festival.

OUR APPRECIATION TO...AK SMILEY PUBLIC LIBRARY for the use of their lot for handicapped parking. ASSOCIATES OF THE REDLANDS BOWL, INC.CITY OF REDLANDS FACILITIES & COMMUNITY SERVICES- for grounds maintenance. CITY OF REDLANDS TVMICK & SANDIE GALLAGHER- FINISHING TOUCH ENGRAVING, for season sponsor gifts. HOSPITALITY ENSEMBLE OF RBPA, for artist hospitality. REDLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT, Citizen Volunteer Patrol, Citizen Volunteer Park Rangers, and Police Chief Chris Catren, for the security patrol. THE RED SHIRT USHERS for their service to our audiences.

REDLANDS BOWL STAFFExecutive Director

Beverly Noerr

Operations DirectorKristi Marnell

Program DirectorValerie Peister

Marketing & Communications CoordinatorCourtney McKinnon

Technical DirectorTim Mahoney

Stage ManagerNathan Prince

Program Layout by Citrograph Printing Co., Redlands, CA

Redlands Bowl Performing Arts is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible.