Brilliant dancing, stirring drumming and driving synthesisers were the highlights of this eclectic Seymour Centre show. TAIKOZ has been performing Japanese drumming, known as taiko, for twenty five years. Japanese percussion is a spectacular type of performance which can feature delightful subtlety, impressive force and amazing precision and TAIKOZ is a captivating exemplar of this art. TAIKOZ has included synthesizers, a woodwind ensemble, dance, xylophones and vocals in COMING TOGETHER to create a significant production.
The concert included five different works from composers Frederick Rzewski, Ian Cleworth, and Luke Styles. The versatile Ian Cleworth explained before the performance that the opening piece, Fred Rzewski’s 1971 Minimalist classic, COMING TOGETHER, was inspired by the writings of the Attica prisoner Sam Melville. Sam Melville was activist aligned with the Weather Underground
and the Black Panther Party opposed to the Vietnam War and U.S imperialism. His protests included bombing various New York City government buildings.
He was captured and imprisoned in Attica where he advocated for prisoners’ rights and was involved in the 1971 riots, where he was shot and killed. During nearly two years in prison, Sam wrote letters to his friends, his attorneys, his former wife, his young son. Collected after his death, these letters were not written for publication. These letters contain exquisitely beautiful writing and are in sharp contrast to the turmoil that resulted in his incarceration.
It is these letters which inspired the performance piece, COMING TOGETHER. The poetic text is recited on a loop by Waangenga Blanco as he performs an intricate and mesmerising dance. His dance was a wonderful combination of minute movements and emotive and spasmodic gestures. Part of the recitation is: “I am deliberate–sometimes even calculating–seldom employing histrionics except as a test of the reactions of others.” These words can be seen as a metaphor of the dance and were beautifully embodied by Waangengo in his performance.
The following piece was a powerful drumming response to COMING TOGETHER and was then followed by a two new works: ZEAMI’S BONES by Ian Cleworth, and SONGS AND GROOVES by Luke Styles. ZEAMI’S BONES is complex work which features some remarkable synthesiser playing and menacing soprano sax components. As in most of the concert drums, cymbals and gongs are significant and entertaining components. SONGS AND GROOVES has an electronica focus, bringing more variety to
the diverse aspects of the evening’s performance. SONGS AND GROOVES and also features exciting drummer Ryuji Hamada, who appeared to be having a marvellous time interacting with his fellow performers and engaging the audience.
Fred Rzewski’s ATTICA closes the show. It is a companion piece to COMING TOGETHER and again featured Waangenga Blanco’s endearing dancing and vocals. Some aspects of the concert would diverge too far away from the mainstream for all crowds to embrace however the dancing and drumming are some captivating aspects that should appeal to a wide audience.
TAIKOZ and Guests – Coming Together played at the Seymour Centre on 6th August, 2022.