Taikoz

Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past two decades the group has developed an original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia’s finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide. Taikoz has performed in Japan, Paris, Bangkok, Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, and the USA where the ensemble headlined the Taiko Nation concerts at the 2014 World Taiko Gathering in Los Angeles. Most recently Taikoz toured India with Chi Udaka, receiving much critical acclaim. 

The group regularly appears in the theatres of regional Australia, having undertaken six Australia-wide tours. Taikoz has composed over thirty original works for taiko including several in combination with instruments such as shakuhachi, koto, marimba, saxophone, cello, drum set and didgeridoo. Distinguished composers Lachlan Skipworth, Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino, Michael Askill, David Pye, Graeme Koehne and Timothy Constable have also written works for the ensemble.

Taikoz has collaborated with composers Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino and Michael Askill, and artists as diverse as John Bell and the Bell Shakespeare Company, taiko greats Eitetsu Hayashi, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, and Kaoru Watanabe, the Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra (SICKO), as well as distinguished choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. In 2012, Taikoz collaborated with Kodo on a nation-wide tour of Australia. The group has also appeared in concerto works with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. In February 2018, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a newly commissioned work by Lachlan Skipworth called The Breath Of Thunder.

Awards include Limelight Best New Composition Award for Kaidan, Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in recognition of Taikoz’s commitment to Australian music and a Drover Award for regional touring and education. In 2016, Ian and Riley were both awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for their contributions towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan.

A brief overview of Taikoz’ history

• Over thirty original works by ensemble members for taiko, often featuring such instruments as shakuhachi, shinobue, nohkan, koto, voice, percussion, marimba, drum set, saxophone, guitar and didgeridoo
• New works for taiko and other instruments by composers Michael Askill, Gerard Brophy, Timothy Constable, Graeme Koehne, Andrea Molino, David Pye, Philip South

Major collaborations:

• Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra (SICKO) in Intermode (2021)
• Anandavalli and Lingalayam in Chi Udaka (AsiaTOPA 2020, Australia & India Tours 2016, Sydney Festival 2014)
• Phoenix Central Park in Toward The Rain (Film 2019)
• Chieko Kojima and Riley Lee in The Beauty Of 8 (2019, 2017, 2015)
• Lachlan Skipworth, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe in The  Breath Of Thunder (2018)
• Kaoru Watanabe in Future Directions (2014)
• Satsuki Odamura in Crimson Sky (2014, 2013, 2012)
• Kodo in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert Australian Tour (2012)
• 150 taiko players, drummers and percussionists in Fireworks / Sydney Festival First Night (2010)
• John Bell and The Bell Shakespeare Company in William Shakespeare’s Pericles (2009)
• Senior members of Kodo – Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Yoko Fujimoto, Motofumi Yamaguchi and Eiichi Saito – in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert (2009)
• Eitetsu Hayashi and Fuun no Kai (Japan 2008, Australia 2006, 2002, 2001, 2000) 
• Director and choreographer Meryl Tankard in Kaidan: A Ghost Story– a dance, music, theatre work / Sydney Festival at the Sydney Opera House (2007) (World Premiere Work)
• Wadaiko Matsumura-gumi in Australia and Japan (2005, 2004)

International performances:

• Chi Udaka, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Mumbai (2016)
• Womad, New Plymouth, New Zealand (2015)
• World Taiko Gathering, Los Angeles USA (2014)
• Abu Dhabi, UAE (2013)
• Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan, Taiwan (2011)
• Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri, Japan (2010)
• National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo, Japan (2008)
• Winners, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2006)
• Hibike Festival, Echizen, Japan (2005)
• Bangkok International Music Festival, Thailand (2004)
• Kaikyōsai Festival, Kobe, Japan (2001)

Performances with orchestra:

• Breath Of Thunder by Lachlan Skipworth with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi, Kaoru Watanabe, shinobue, and conductor Gerard Solonga (2018)
• Mono-Prism by Maki Ishii with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and conductors Hiroyuki Iwaki, Ryusuke Numajiri and David Porcilijn (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2009, 2010)
• Book Of Clouds by Gerard Brophy with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi and Synergy Percussion conducted by Tadaaki Otaka (2008) (World Premiere Work)
• Winners by Andrea Molino and the Queensland Symphony at the Brisbane Festival, and Dresden Sinfoniker at the Pompidou Centre, Paris, conducted by the composer (2006) (World Premiere Work)

Major tours of regional Australia:

• The Beauty Of 8 (2019)
• Chi Udaka (2016)
• Crimson Sky (2014)
• Shifting Sand (2012)
• Blessings Of The Earth (2010)
• The Gathering (2008)
• Da Ha-Pounding Wave (2006)

Awards:

• Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for contribution towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan / Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee (2016)
• Limelight ‘Best New Composition Award’ for Kaidan (2007)
• Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in recognition of TaikOz’s commitment to Australian music (2006)
• Drover Award for regional touring and education (2005)