DRUMSPEAK: Taiko Ensemble

Traditional and contemporary taiko styles for the concert stage and recording studio

Drumspeak: Taiko Ensemble in Los Angeles

Traditional and contemporary taiko styles for the concert stage and recording studio

Drumspeak is a blend of traditional and contemporary taiko styles combined with versatility on stage, in the recording studio, and in the classroom. The duo of David Wells and Isaku Kageyama has toured South America, recorded for A-list video game Ghost of Tsushima, and are proud to be instructors at Los Angeles Taiko Institute.

David and Isaku took very different paths that eventually led them to play together.  David grew up playing clarinet in Baltimore under the guidance of his father, a professional jazz musician. David later attended Stanford University where he discovered taiko.

Isaku grew up playing taiko in Tokyo under the guidance of Mr. Yoichi Watanabe, founder of renown taiko ensemble Amanojaku.  Isaku eventually attended Berklee College of Music to expand his musical vocabulary beyond taiko.

Drumspeak represents two distinct journeys that have merged to tell musical stories informed by an eclectic range of music styles.

DRUMSPEAK: Taiko Ensemble

Traditional and contemporary taiko styles for the stage and recording studio

WORLD PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE OF LOS ANGELES

Celebrate the wealth of world drumming traditions

World Percussion Ensemble of Los Angeles

The World Percussion Ensemble of Los Angeles is a collective of award-winning percussionists coming together to celebrate the wealth of world drumming traditions.

The diverse ensemble features Clarice Cast, Daniel Feldman, Dramane Kone, and Isaku Kageyama, accomplished percussionists in drums originating in Africa, South America, Middle East, and Asia.

World Percussion Ensemble of Los Angeles (WPELA) is more than drums from around the world sharing the stage together. It’s also about people from different cultural backgrounds cooperating and creating work that is greater than the individual. It’s about sharing with, learning from, and respecting our neighbors with whom we share the planet.

The music of WPELA is truly a multicultural experience and a celebration of diversity. The WPELA is proud to call the cosmopolitan city of Los Angeles their home.

WORLD PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE OF LOS ANGELES

Celebrate the wealth of world drumming traditions

OBON CLASSICS: JAPANESE FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Traditional Bon Odori (Obon Festival) music celebrating ancestral spirits

OBON CLASSICS: JAPANESE FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Traditional Bon Odori (Obon Festival) music celebrating ancestral spirits

Sumie Kaneko, David Wells, and Isaku Kageyama perform folk songs associated with the Bon Odori, a festival celebrating ancestral spirits.

Bon Odori songs can be about a prayer for a good harvest or catch, local pride in a geographic region, or describe the way of life of a group of people.  As a religious ceremony, the Obon Festival celebrates the spirits of our ancestors.  And from a cultural standpoint, it’s a time for people to visit family that signals the end of summer.

Obon Classics has been featured in a virtual concert presented by Taiko Community Alliance, as well as in a lecture demonstration hosted by Japan Foundation New York.  In 2021, the trio composed, recorded, and produced Makoto Ondo, a song in the style of Bon Odori for Makoto Taiko in Pasadena, CA.  Sumie, David, and Isaku are honored to share their music through these organizations.

“Obon Classics” album available free of charge to support Obon Festival organizers and enthusiasts everywhere.

OBON CLASSICS: JAPANESE FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLE

Traditional Bon Odori (Obon Festival) music celebrating ancestral spirits

Congrats @alya.michelson on a wonderful holiday release!  Thank you for having me on the taiko d....
Congrats @alya.michelson on a wonderful holiday release! Thank you for having me on the taiko drum version of “Little Drummer Boy.†Very grateful to be a part of an album featuring @ericclapton, The ...
Get this taiko loop for free until 12.04.2023DOWNLOAD LINK IN BIO.Loop inspired by Queen Omega â....
Get this taiko loop for free until 12.04.2023
DOWNLOAD LINK IN BIO
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Loop inspired by Queen Omega “No Love†which is a remix of Dr. Dre “The Next Episode†which samples David McCallum “The Edge.â€
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Hi ...
Megan Thee Stallion - Cobra.Really expands what we expect from a Megan Thee Stallion track.  Gre....
Megan Thee Stallion - Cobra
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Really expands what we expect from a Megan Thee Stallion track. Great production, gritty guitar and vocal textures. All super unexpected but they work together.
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@the ...
Wow!  One heck of a song.  Dua Lipa - Houdini.@dualipa @carolineailin @dannylharle @tameimpala @....
Wow! One heck of a song. Dua Lipa - Houdini
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@dualipa @carolineailin @dannylharle @tameimpala @tobiasjessojr Shot on @insta360
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#taiko #taikodrums #dualipa #houdini #nudisco #electronica #postdis ...
Congrats @amiedots on an amazing soundtrack for Blue Eye Samurai. Great to see a lot of familiar....
Congrats @amiedots on an amazing soundtrack for Blue Eye Samurai. Great to see a lot of familiar faces on the music team.
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Check out the show on @netflixgolden and the music is available on all strea ...
It has been a tremendous honor to record taiko drums for Flourish: Oni from Audio Imperia. A lot....
It has been a tremendous honor to record taiko drums for Flourish: Oni from Audio Imperia. A lot of work went into its development and I hope it inspires you!
Thank you @davidyousefiart @audioimperia ...
Sometimes all you can do is laugh.😂#taiko #taikodrums #japanesedrum #handspeed #360camera #in....
Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
😂
#taiko #taikodrums #japanesedrum #handspeed #360camera #insta360 #insta360x3
AI Machine Learning Metronome App
AI Machine Learning Metronome App Amazing new metronome app uses cutting edge artificial intelligence and machine learning!
#artificialintelligence #machinelearning #music #musician #musicianlife #shorts
Taiko x Granular Synthesis Vol. 4 - Bloom
Taiko x Granular Synthesis Vol. 4 - Bloom Isaku describes working with singer and sound healer Ayumi Ueda, and the creative process of designing synths and textures from taiko recordings. All sounds you hear aside from Ayumi's vocals are gen ...
Taiko x Granular Synthesis Vol. 3 - Forbidden Love
Taiko x Granular Synthesis Vol. 3 - Forbidden Love Isaku describes working with singer-songwriter Sumie Kaneko, and the creative process of designing synths and textures from taiko recordings. All sounds you hear aside from Sumie's vocals are generat ...