# Taikoz

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**Taikoz** is a [taiko](/source/Taiko) ensemble based in [Sydney, Australia](/source/Sydney,_Australia).[1] Formed in 1997, they are credited with not only being an early Australian taiko ensemble, but for also broadly expanding interest in taiko performance in Australian society.

## History

Taikoz, formed in 1997, was founded by [Riley Lee](/source/Riley_Lee) along with Ian Cleworth, who later became artistic director.[2] Lee had previously worked with [Ondekoza](/source/Ondekoza) in the 1970s, and was approached by Cleworth to form a [kumi-daiko](/source/Kumi-daiko) group in Sydney.[3]

## Style

Taikoz performs predominantly original Australian compositions composed by members of the group and commissioned composers. The work is contemporary, often collaborations with other performing art mediums, and draws influence from western art music, traditional music, and sound design.

When originally formed, Taikoz performed traditional pieces passed on from groups such as [Ondekoza](/source/Ondekoza) and performers such as [Eitetsu Hayashi](/source/Eitetsu_Hayashi), more modern pieces also developed by Japanese groups, as well as pieces the group has developed on their own.[4] Some of the more traditional pieces include *[Yatai-bayashi](/source/Yatai-bayashi)* and *Hachijo*, whereas some of their own, unique pieces include *Asobibachi* and *Knots*.[5] Their performances also can be categorised as either more traditional, festival-based pieces (called *matsuri-bayashi*) before formal groups formed in the 1950s, or more based on modern *kumi-daiko* performance modelled on groups like Ondekoza and [Kodo](/source/Kodo_(taiko_group)).[6]

As Taikoz's development partially extended from performers in Japan,[7] they have been credited as being very successful as emphasising Japanese elements in their work while also being able to implement original, creative styles into their performances. They have also been effective at introducing taiko performance to the Australian populace, and have generated significant interest in taiko playing among Australians.[8]

## Performances

In 2007, Taikoz collaborated with the [Meryl Tankard Company](/source/Meryl_Tankard) to create *Kaidan*, a dance work based on a Japanese folk legend, which premiered at the [Sydney Festival](/source/Sydney_Festival).[9]

They have also performed collaboratively with [Kodo](/source/Kodo_(taiko_group)),[2] the [Sydney](/source/Sydney_Symphony_Orchestra) and [Melbourne Symphony Orchestras](/source/Melbourne_Symphony_Orchestra),[citation needed] as well as [Bell Shakespeare Company](/source/Bell_Shakespeare_Company) in [Sydney](/source/Sydney),[citation needed] and the [Canberra Theatre](/source/Canberra_Theatre) in [Canberra](/source/Canberra).[10] [City Recital Hall](/source/City_Recital_Hall)[11]

In 2013 they once again performed in the [Sydney Festival](/source/Sydney_Festival).[12]

## References

1. Burnard, Pamela (2012). [*Musical Creativities in Practice*](https://books.google.com/books?id=4kEmEjtXnFoC). Oxford University Press. p. 146. ISBN 0191628980.

1. Sabas (August 2012). ["Kodo and Taikoz"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130303011152/http://www.melbournereview.com.au/arts/article/Kodo_and_TaikOz). *Melbourne Review*. Archived from [the original](http://www.melbournereview.com.au/arts/article/Kodo_and_TaikOz) on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.

1. de Ferranti, Hugh (2007). [*Popular Culture, Globalization and Japan*](https://books.google.com/books?id=M5u2e7ezN-UC). Matthew Allen & Rumi Sakamoto (ed.). Routledge. p. 80. ISBN 0203029240.

1. de Ferranti 2007, pp. 83–84.

1. de Ferranti 2007, pp. 84.

1. de Ferranti 2007, p. 83.

1. Thomas, Paulene (1999). [*Musical Visions*](https://books.google.com/books?id=CYDNMtSGivcC). Gerry Bloustien (ed.). Wakefield Press. p. 131. ISBN 1862545006.

1. de Ferranti 2007, pp. 90–91.

1. ["Meryl Tankard"](https://www.library.act.gov.au/find/history/frequentlyaskedquestions/personal_stories/canberra-citizen-of-the-year-1967/meryl-tankard2). *Libraries ACT*. 20 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.

1. ["Kodo & TaikOz in Concert"](https://www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au/site/what-is-on.php?detail=kodo-amp-taikoz-in-concert-0248). *Canberra Theatre Centre*. Retrieved 3 September 2013.

1. Kennedy, Bev. ["TaikOz - Crimson Sky"](http://au.artshub.com/au/news-article/reviews/performing-arts/taikoz-crimson-sky-188586). *ArtsHub*. ArtsHub Holdings P/L. Retrieved 2 September 2013.

1. ["Sydney Festival Photo Gallery: Day One The Arrival - Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour (05.01.13)"](http://www.theaureview.com/photos/day-one-the-arrival-cockle-bay-darling-harbour-05-01-13). *[AU Review](/source/AU_Review)*. Heath Media. 10 January 2013. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303215330/http://www.theaureview.com/photos/day-one-the-arrival-cockle-bay-darling-harbour-05-01-13) 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 September 2013.

## External links

- [Taikoz official website](http://www.taikoz.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Taikoz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taikoz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taikoz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.