Presented by Nagata Shachu as Part of the 13th Annual Small World Asian Music Series

For the first time in 20 years, two masters in the Toronto world music scene – artistic director Kiyoshi Nagata (of premier Japanese taiko group Nagata Shachu) and artistic director Ritesh Das (Juno nominated Toronto Tabla Ensemble) – join their groups together as never before in an evening of thrilling rhythms and joyous percussion. The sounds of Japan and India will converge at this highly anticipated concert, the second of three presented by Nagata Shachu as part of their 2014/2015 season.

Nagata Shachu taiko and music group performs traditional and rearranged compositions on Japanese drums, percussion, bamboo flutes and shamisen. Combining forces with the multi-tabla lineup of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble opens up a wide range of exciting rhythmic possibilities."Collaborations have become an important component of Nagata Shachu’s three-concert season, and after 20 years it’s great to again be working with Ritesh and the Toronto Tabla Ensemble. I feel that the primal and thunderous sounds of the taiko are a perfect compliment to the subtle and intricate rhythms of the tabla. Ritesh and I feel a certain connection, both musically and in terms of how we were trained in our respective traditions." — Kiyoshi Nagata