Uncommon Time: Taiko, Tabla & Timbale with Kenny Endo, Abhijit Banerjee & John Santos

Three World Premieres!

Move to an entirely new beat! Master percussionists blend the sounds of Japanese taiko, Indian tabla and Latin timbale into a unique and exciting rhythm.

This collaboration calls for three percussionists from three different musical traditions to come together to each compose a new work, based in the composer’s own aesthetic but “orchestrating” to incorporate all three musicians’ styles and instrumentations. Each of the musicians has achieved mastery in his own genre-- Kenny Endo in taiko, Abhijit Banerjee on tabla, and John Santos on Latin percussion. Each is an experienced composer, and they all share a passion for exploring musical collaborations across genres and cultural backgrounds. Their sophisticated and complex percussion rhythms take the drum to center stage. Unlike other percussion exchanges that most often resemble virtuosic jam sessions, the goal of this project is to create three new and integrated works, each referencing its roots but creating a synthesis that embraces them all.

Kenny Endo: “I propose to bring three percussionists together (tabla, Latin percussion, taiko) for a world rhythm collaboration which would include a commission to compose, a rehearsal period, and performance tour. Each of the three artists will compose a new work for the three percussionists, resulting in three new works, each with a different aesthetic base while integrating the three diverse percussion styles. The three artists receive equal billing, equal compensation, and make equal contributions to the project.”

The performance will consist of the three artists playing as a group, in duets, and as soloists. In addition to the new works, the artists will bring in other pieces (solo or group) to complete a full evening show. In addition to performances, the tour will offer presenters lecture-demonstrations, workshops, and master classes by the artists.

Unlike other percussion collaborations and rhythm exchanges that most often resemble virtuosic jam sessions, the goal of this project is to create three completely new and integrated works, with roots in three distinctly different drum styles, sounds, and rhythms but with a synthesis that embraces them all. Because each of the artists is experienced at teaching and giving workshops, the tour will include the opportunity for education services.