About

About One World Taiko

One World Taiko presents a contemporary style of Japanese drumming that incorporates dynamic and fluid movement as well as heart pounding percussion. One World Taiko's music is drawn from Japan's lively festival drumming taught to them by Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and their own creative rhythms, arrangements and choreography, showcased in their live performances. Their repertoire includes taiko pieces from Japan and their own original compositions that feature a blend of traditional, contemporary and world music stylings. They perform on traditional Japanese drums such as odaiko (large), chudaiko (medium), shimedaiko (small, rope-tied drum) and incorporate the shinobue (bamboo flute) and various Japanese percussion.

One World Taiko, founded in 1990 in San Francisco, California, is led by founding members Gary Tsujimoto and Nancy Ozaki. Gary was a founding member and former artistic director and lead drummer for San Jose Taiko. Gary also performed with the professional Japanese group, Ondekoza, as a guest artist during their USA tour in 1986. Nancy began her taiko career as a member of Denver Taiko and performed as a member with Ondekoza during their tours of Japan, Europe and the USA in 1987.

One World Taiko has performed full time at the Epcot Center's Japan Pavilion at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida for 4 years, SE Alaska State Fair in Haines, AL, Boston's First Night Celebration for the 2000 Millennium, the International Taiko Festival in Berkeley, CA, San Francisco’s Cherry Blossom Festival, the Project to Cure Paralysis in Miami, FL, the Sun and Stars Festival of Japanese Arts in Dallas, TX, the Colorado Performing Arts Festival in Denver, CO, the Grand Opening of the Exploris Museum in Raleigh, NC and numerous other venues throughout the United States and Japan. They have also performed at several large corporate events such as the McCaw Hall Opera House grand opening, Seattle's Main Library grand opening, the Jackson Hole Film Festival Opening Gala in Jackson Hole, WY, Healing Journeys in Greenville, SC, the Sony Corporation’s Annual Awards Convention in Las Vegas, NV, the National Council on Education in Ceramic Arts Convention, Janus Funds Holiday Party in Denver, CO, the Midwest US-Japan Association Annual Convention in Omaha, NE, the Kawasaki Motors Corporation USA Holiday Party in Lincoln, NE and the Genetech Corporation Holiday Party in San Francisco, CA. Internationally, One World Taiko has performed in Japan and in Dubai, United Arab Emirates where they had a 5 week engagement at the Global Village. It was a great experience as we met many people from the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

From 2014, One World Taiko was hired by the Bureau of Lectures and Concert Artists for 4 national U.S. Tours lasting up to 9 months each year performing as a duo at schools, colleges and art centers in almost every state of the contiguous United States. Gary and Nancy were proud share their "Art of Taiko" and Japanese cultural heritage with students and communities throughout the U.S.

One World Taiko's Past Performance Highlights

You may have seen One World Taiko performing regularly in different parts of the country at one time or another. From mid 2001 to late 2014, we were based in Seattle, Washington. From mid 1997 to mid 2001 we were based in Denver, Colorado. From mid 1993 to mid 1997, we were living in Orlando, Florida and performing at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center. From 1990 to mid 1993, we were located in San Francisco, California. 

One World Taiko performed at the Battlestar Galatica Exhibition in Seattle, WA

at the Experience Music Project (now called the Museum of Pop Culture).

One World Taiko's Former Seattle and guest performers

Garrett Nakawatase, Tyrone Nakawatase, Marcia Takamura, Esther Sugai, Emily Wang, Robin Early, Kyobi Hinami, Kyoka Hinami, Munehisa Yabuki, Souma Yabuki, Barb Yasui, Donna Zumoto, Stephen Soule, Marinda Chen, Griffin Joko-Fujimoto

One World Taiko performed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates at the Global Village Entertainment and Theme Park in 2010

for a 5 week engagement.

One World Taiko performed at the 2007 North American Taiko Conference's Taiko Jam at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, WA.

This was the featured performance program at the 2007 NATC Conference.

One World Taiko performed at the San Francisco Taiko Dojo 1998 International Taiko Festival

at Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA

One World Taiko's Former Denver Main Performers

Meg Ozaki Graves, Keiko Ozaki, Shannon Umetani, Courtney Ozaki, June Kurobane, Lisa Ku

One World Taiko at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center 1993-1997
Back in the day, Nancy and Gary performed full time as a duo at the Epcot Center's Japan Pavilion
at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Here is a Walt Disney World poster of One World Taiko

One World Taiko in San Francisco, CA 1990-1993

Way back in the day, Sensei Seiichi Tanaka of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo invited Gary and Nancy to perform at their International Taiko Festival at Zellerbach Hall  by in Berkeley, CA in 1990, 1991 and 1992. One World Taiko performed as a duo at these concerts.

One World Taiko performed at the "Bolting On" ceremony with a group of Master Drummers from several different cultural groups for the Yerba Buena Performing Arts Center in San Francisco, CA. Gary was selected as one of the Master Drummers.

One World Taiko also performed in a jazz quartet led by Mark Izu and Francis Wong.

Quartet East performed at Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA.