On Saturday, August 20th, Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, Inochi Taiko, Mirai Daiko, San Francisco Taiko Dojo, and Soh Daiko performed for a packed house of 1700 people at the Stanford Memorial Auditorium for the 8th Bi-Annual North American Taiko Conference‘s Taiko Jam Concert. What a rush!

Soh Daiko spent months preparing for this event that was filled with blood, sweat and tears. The last time Soh Daiko performed at Taiko Jam was in 1997, which was the first conference held in Los Angeles. To be invited again and to perform with such prestigious groups was an honor and privilege.

Soh Daiko performed our two signature pieces, Yuudachi and Hachidan, with musical interludes by our good friend, Yoko Fujimoto of Kodo.  Our group avoided a near catastrophe in Yuudachi as an odaiko on stage right began to roll off the riser during our performance. Luckily Matt, one of our newest members, caught the stand as it rolled off the stage to save the day! MVP!!!

We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to San Jose Taiko, Meg Suzuki, Kris Bergstrom, Yuta Kato, Taiko Jam and Conference staff, Yoko Fujimoto, and many others who helped put together an amazing conference and concert. We would also like to thank all the audience members, family, and friends for your overwhelming amount of support and standing ovation! Otsukaresama!!!!

Photos by Kim Nakashima