Kenny Endo Contemporary Taiko: Breaking Through Tradition to Innovation
Kenny Endo stands at the vanguard of the taiko genre as one of the leading personas in contemporary percussion and rhythm in North America and Japan. For 45 years, he has led the way in this Japanese style of drumming in the United States, and he is celebrating with his 2022 tour.
As a jazz percussionist and early innovator in Japanese taiko, Kenny Endo’s adventurous spirit stretches the taiko genre, incorporating funk, jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Hawaiian influences, with roots firmly grounded in tradition. Endo tours with his Contemporary Ensemble, featuring prominent artists and long-time collaborators Kaoru Watanabe, flutes; Abe Lagrimas, vibes, drumkit, and ukulele; and Sumie Kaneko, koto and shamisen. Endo has received numerous awards and accolades, including special recognition in Japan as he was the first non-national to be honored with a natori, a stage name, in Japanese classical drumming. He was a featured artist on the 2005 PBS special Spirit of Taiko as well as on several film soundtracks including Apocalypse Now.
Recommended for ages 7 and up.
If you can, show your love for the arts by purchasing an “Advocate” ticket; the additional ticket cost directly benefits Krannert Center.
Tickets for this event will go on sale to the public at 10am on Tuesday, March 8. Tickets will be sold online only as mobile or print-at-home tickets and are not available for purchase by phone or at the Ticket Office counter. Before the on-sale date, please visit Krannert Center’s online ticket office to ensure you have or can create an active account. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel welcome to contact the Ticket Office at 217.333.6280 or kran-tix [at] illinois.edu. All 2021-2022 ticket on-sale dates are now available. To learn about early ticket-buying opportunities, please contact Krannert Center’s Advancement team: 217.333.6700 or advancement [at] krannertcenter.illinois.edu.
In order to attend this event, audience members must bring a photo ID and proof of either 1) full vaccination, 2) negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of the event start time, or 3) negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within 6 hours of the event start time. Home tests do not qualify. Masks are required throughout the event, and children under two years of age cannot be admitted. Please see our COVID-19 Safety Protocols page for full entry requirements.
