Eitetsu Hayashi, the internationally acclaimed Japanese musician ranked as the world’s leading taiko player and one of Japan’s foremost living cultural assets, has over the past 34 years led an international musical revival of these instruments. His performances have been credited with bringing a musical fulfilment that can surpass that of a full orchestra – ranging from serene tranquillity to the rhythmic, roaring thunder created by his giant 300kg O-Daiko drum.

Eitetsu Hayashi, was born in Hiroshima in 1952 where he grew up in a Buddhist temple, hearing his father’s daily recitation of the sutras. At 19, he was playing drums in a western band and in 1971, Eitetsu was a founder of the legendary taiko group, Sado-Ondekoza or “The Demon Drummers of Japan” renowned for its near fanatical 60km daily marathon runs and training sessions in freezing conditions.

Eitetsu made his Australian debut opening the Sydney Festival 2000, returning in 2002 as special guest to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and performing to capacity crowds with TaikOz and Riley Lee that same year at the Enmore theatre. Eitetsu has performed sell out concerts worldwide including the Boston Symphony and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s under the baton of world’s leading conductor’s Seiji Ozawa and Kent Nagano.

Australian audiences will experience “bone shattering” performances when the world’s greatest taiko players perform in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Eitetsu Hayashi’s legacy has inspired a taiko revival in Japan where more than 4000 groups now exist and the new generation of rap enthusiasts are taught taiko in schools so they can pass on the sounds of Japanese folk and imperial court music in a contemporary way.

Fu-Un no Kai

Fu-Un no Kai is made up of talented young taiko players who resonate with Eitetsu’s music. Members of Fu-Un no Kai join Eitetsu, who is primarily a soloist, when his performances require an ensemble. The overwhelming power of their live performances has created a sensation all over Japan.

PROFILE OF TAIKOZ
Australia’s Premier Taiko Drum Ensemble

Founded by Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee, TaikOz is an initiative of Synergy Percussion Ltd. TaikOz seeks to explore a synthesis of east and west, old and new, drum and flute. With a diverse repertoire, TaikOz draws from the ancient traditions of taiko while looking to the future.

Eitetsu and TaikOz will be joined by shakuhachi flute Grand Master, Riley Lee and Matthew Doyle, one of Australia’s foremost didgeridoo artists.

Riley began playing the shakuhachi in Japan in 1971, studying with Chikuho Sakai until 1980, and has made over fifty recordings. He is Australia’s only shakuhachi flute ‘Dai Shihan’ (Grand Master).
Recognised as a musical ambassador for Australia, Matthew is a virtuosic didgeridoo player, emulating the calls of distinctly Australian fauna such as the lyrebird, cockatoo, brolga, kookaburra, boobook and emu.