Kodo March 15, 2007

$35 for one show, $60 for two shows on the same night

Tickets available at The Public Theater box office or By phone at 212-967-7555 Joe's Pub Tickets.

Kodo http://www.kodo.or.jp

Japan's premiere taiko (drum) ensemble KODO, taken out of the concert hall setting for series of rare intimate performances spearheaded by former member, New York based Kaoru Watanabe. Kodo will display all the physical athleticism, rhythmic intricacy and visceral power they are known for with an added chamber music-like sensitivity. In the vein of their collaboration-heavy world music festival Earth Celebration, held in Japan annually, for the 11:30 sets each night Kodo will be augmented by the improvisational energy of special guest artists. Discounts available to those who attend both performances the same night.

Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, Kodo are forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. In Japanese the word "Kodo" conveys two meanings: Firstly, "heartbeat" the primal source of all rhythm. The sound of the great taiko is said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, and it is no myth that babies are often lulled asleep by its thunderous vibrations. Secondly, read in a different way, the word can mean "children of the drum," a reflection of Kodo's desire to play their drums simply, with the heart of a child. Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, Kodo have given over 2900 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island. Kodo strives to both preserve and re-interpret traditional Japanese performing arts. Beyond this, members on tours and research trips all over the globe have brought back to Sado a kaleidoscope of world music and experiences which now exerts a strong influence on the group's performances and compositions. Collaborations with other artists and composers extend right across the musical spectrum and Kodo's lack of preconceptions about its music continues to produce startling new fusion and forms.

Official Website: http://www.joespub.com/caltool/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&performanceID=2788