#183 Kaoru Watanabe- Percussionist, Flautist, Educator, Writer and More!
The photo of Kaoru is taken by Max Whittaker.
Composer and musician Kaoru Watanabe grounds his performance in traditional Japanese music while inhabiting a startling combination of musical worlds. He is renowned for his ability to collaborate with a diverse array of visionary international artists: Jason Moran, Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad, Spanish flamenco dancer Eva Yerbabuena, visual artists Simone Leigh and Alyson Shotz, calligrapher Koji Kakinuma, Japanese National Living Treasure Bando Tamasaburo, vocalists Alicia Hall Moran and Imani Uzuri, tap dancers Tamango and Kazunori Kumagai, Galician bagpiper Carlos Nuñez, So Percussion, Semba Kiyohiko, Reigakusha, Brooklyn Raga Massive, Adam Rudolph and Go:Organic Orchestra, the Aizuri and Parker String Quartets and pipa virtuoso Wu Man. In 2018, Watanabe debuted as an orchestral soloist and composer with the Sydney Symphony at the Sydney Opera House. He is an advisor, composer and featured musician on the Oscar-nominated score of Wes Anderson’s film Isle of Dogs and was a guest artist on the Silkroad's Grammy Award-winning album Sing Me Home.
Born to Japanese parents who were both members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Watanabe started playing Western Classical music at an early age, then graduated from the Manhattan School of Music as a jazz flute and saxophonist, followed by a decade in Japan performing with and eventually directing the internationally acclaimed Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble Kodo. Watanabe returned to New York City to continue developing his ever-evolving musical voice, specializing on transverse bamboo flutes such as the shinobue, noh kan and ryuteki and various Japanese percussion. Watanabe has performed his compositions at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Boston Symphony Hall, The Kennedy Center, and Kabukiza and in all 47 prefectures in Japan. Watanabe continues to perform regularly across the North, Central and South Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. As a passionate educator, Watanabe has taught at such prestigious institutions as Princeton and Wesleyan University and the Tanglewood Music Festival.
Gig Alerts
July 29th, you can catch Kaoru performing at Tanglewood in Massachusetts as part of their Recitals from the World Stage series. Kaoru will be performing with the Silkroad ensemble with special guest Rhiannon Giddens.
The Miami Dolphins have converted their Hard Rock Stadium into a drive-in movie theater to safely entertain fans amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.
Happy 80th Birthday Ringo!!!
Social Soundbyte
As mentioned last week, Charlie Hunter and (friend of the show) Carter McLean have recorded a new play along album . This was recorded with Luna, in their home studios with the intention of other musicians playing along WITH IT. A great practice tool. Guitars, keys, horns, percussion, etc. It’s also a fun groove record to just listen to!!! ONLY available directly from Carter. To order email: cartermclean@gmail.com.
You can hear Damon playing percussion over one of the tracks on the album below.
Educational Spotlights
After much consideration, the PAS Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to move PASIC 2020 to an online virtual event. Making this decision was not easy, but we believe it is the right decision for the safety of our staff, artists, members, students, volunteers, industry partners, and general attendees. Damon will be getting an exclusive interview with Joshua Simonds soon to talk about what to expect for this year, as well as going forward.
Here’s an article to help you get some ideas on how to survive the pandemic as a musician. If you’re self isolating at home, with all your shows cancelled and you’re figuring out ways to make ends meet - here are some solutions/ideas for you.
A rapidly changing music industry and technology-driven consumer preferences have forced a great deal of new skills on today’s independent musician. It’s been over a decade since record labels, PR reps and managers could help the average indie artist find and reach their audience. Today’s indie music artist needs to understand branding and marketing, community building, live video streaming, home-recording, digital distribution and entrepreneurship. This on top of staying creative and delivering a great product. Here are six skills you should have under your hands to be successful.
Product Reviews
iRig Stream makes it easier than ever to share, letting you connect instruments, mixers and more to your iPhone, iPad, Android device and Mac/PC, with convenient features designed just for use on today’s most popular platforms. Whether it’s mono or stereo, live playing or an existing mix, iRig Stream gets you connected to all your favorite apps, so you can start connecting with listeners instantly.
Following on the footsteps of our West Coast and British colleagues, we are launching today the NYC EDITION - A RAFFLE BY DRUMMERS FOR EQUALITY!
Seven NYC drummers getting together to raise donations for three amazing organizations. Please spread the word, this goes all the way from now until Friday July 3rd at 8pm EST. Let’s do our best to unite the music community for more good causes!!!!
RULES:
-Donate in multiples of $20 to any of these organizations:
NAACP @naacp • G.L.I.T.S. @glits_inc • The Bail Project @bailproject •
-1 entry for $20, 2 entries for $40, etc... No limit to entries! (Donation to each of the 3 organizations encouraged - up your odds!)
-Forward donation receipt/ screenshot to nycdrumraffle@gmail.com
-U.S. entries only
-Raffle Ends July 3rd, 8pm est.
-10 Winners announced July 6th
The winners of the UK Raffle have been announced HERE. Congrats to them for raising £3.1k.
Iconic Recording
"Before I Let Go" is a song performed by American R&B band Maze, issued as the second single from the band's fifth album and first live album Live in New Orleans. Although Live in New Orleans is a live album, "Before I Let Go" appears on the album as a studio recording. Written and produced by lead singer Frankie Beverly, the song peaked at #13 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1981. Roame Lowry, one of two remaining original members of the band Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, is also playing percussion on this track.
The two playlists Damon mentioned are the Backyard BBQ Bangers for your 4th of July celebrations
and
Music News
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact all of us, and artists have been hit especially hard as tours and shows are canceled for the foreseeable future. With such a major revenue stream drying up almost entirely, finding ways to continue supporting artists in the coming months is an urgent priority for anyone who cares about music and the artists who create it. On March 20, 2020, Bandcamp waived their revenue share in order to help artists and labels impacted by the pandemic. They have continued to do that the first Friday of each month and will do so this Friday July 3rd. Damon mentions he has an album on Bandcamp.
Yesterday, the SBA clarified that if you’re self-employed, a freelancer or independent contractor you can get a PPP loan with forgiveness. It was previously thought that the PPP program was only for companies with W2’d employees on payroll. But now the SBA clarified that self-employed individuals can apply for this program as well. - Article
Instagram has expanded access to Instagram Shopping to more businesses, including musicians and other reators who want to sell merchandise starting on July 9th. Instagram says eligible accounts must also demonstrate a “trustworthiness.” That includes having an authentic and established presence on the site with a “sufficient follower base.” The requirements also forbid misleading pricing and availability information and require a clearly stated refund policy. - Article
Less than one week after unveiling a controversial memo featuring revamped artist-compensation specifics for the 2021 concert season, Live Nation has walked back some of the proposed terms. Thanks to the ARA (Artist Rights Alliance) for helping lead the fight against unfair practices. - Article
Here is the petition you can sign to align with the ARA.
Minnesotans are signing a new petition to replace a statue of Christopher Columbus – with Prince. The petition has already received over 10,000 signatures from Minnesotans who want to see the statue gone. Petitioners argue that Prince is someone who represents Minnesota values, and “Columbus does not.” -Article
The song leading into the interview is called Bloodlines by Kaoru Watanabe.
Kaoru Watanabe Interview
Kaoru’s first introduction to music was through his parents. His father (a violinist) and his mother (a harpist) were members of the St. Louis Symphony.
Kaoru started as a flute player. He started with classical music and eventually moved to jazz before picking up the shinobue flute. At 11, Kaoru got into Taiko drumming when master drummer, Daihachi Oguchi, came to St. Louis.
Some of the flute players Damon and Kaoru bring up are Dave Valentin, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, and Eric Dolphy. Kaoru studied with Robert Dick as well and also mentions the African Fulani Flute.
Damon and Kaoru briefly talk about when it is appropriate to spin your sticks while drumming.
Before college, Kaoru attended the Interlochen Arts Academy.
It was at the Manhattan School of Music where he made the decision to trace his roots back to Japan and study Taiko drumming.
Kaoru talks about the group Kodo getting inspiration from the group Ondekoza. He also talks about his experience doing the apprenticeship program.
Damon talks about dozing off during the big drum solo during the Kodo performance he saw.
Kaoru talks about living on the island of Sado and the Kodo Village.
After touring with Kodo for years, he returned to NYC and learned how to venture out with a career of his own.
Kaoru has taken a hiatus from teaching, but you can study at his studio with his protoge, Fumi Tanakadate.
Kaoru is also a composer and does some work performing with Silkroad and also some writing for them. One project he was involved in was with the Flamenco artist Eva Yerbabuena.
Damon talks about the gig triangle and the M’s that go with it. The three M’s are Music, Mates and Money. You should have at least two of the three to accept a gig. The fourth wild card that could sway your decision is the Milieu. That means a person's social environment (or gig location).
The post Damon refers to came after two country artists had large outdoor concerts with zero social distancing and no masks in Tennessee. The post was made by other musicians who were angry at these musicians holding the concerts when so many others are struggling and not able to tour.
Kaoru graciously receives the support of the preeminent taiko maker Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten of Tokyo and master shinobue flute maker Ranjo of Chiba Prefecture.
You can follow Kaoru on his Website, His Studio’s Website, Facebook and Instagram.
The song leading out of the interview is “Sengoku” by Kaoru Watanabe.
