Smoke and Thunda' in the Rotunda Tues Feb 26

SANTA FE—During this year’s International District-Asian-American Day at the New Mexico Legislature Roundhouse Rotunda, a festival of folk and fine arts will flourish during the Noon hour. Smokin’ Bachi Taiko’s contribution is a performance of Hachijo Island style drumming, beginning at 12:23 PM. Hachijo Island is located in Japan’s Tokyo Prefecture, 200 miles south of Tokyo city. The event is Tuesday February 26.
“Political prisoners”, were banished to the lava island hundreds of years ago.
They fished in order to eat. They sang to remember their homes and families on the mainland. They drummed to keep up their samurai warrior skills.
On Hachijo Island today, the style is informal and found on the roadsides, in the markets, and mixed with beer and sake in local pubs. The taiko (fat drum) is placed horizontally on a stand so both heads can be played. One player relays a backbeat that is repeated by the other player. Then, standard rhythmic phrases are mixed with heavy doses of improvisation. The music is also fueled by the alcohol.
Smokin’ Bachi Taiko members have intensely studied this form on Hachijo Island, and at the 2012 Rocky Mountain Taiko Summit. Our drums are hand made of wine barrels from New Mexico vineyards. Hachijo style drumming will open the 2013 Matsuri Japanese Cultural Festival, Satuday, April 20. Matsuri is produced by the Santa Fe JIN (Japanese Intercultural Network).