World-class artist Kenny Endo celebrates 45 years in taiko, his adventurous spirit at the vanguard of the genre. As a jazz percussionist and early innovator in Japanese taiko, he was the first non-Japanese national honored with a natori (stage name & master’s license) in classical Japanese drumming. With roots firmly grounded in tradition, he takes taiko in new directions by incorporating influences like funk, jazz, Afro-Cuban & Hawaiian, as he leads his ensemble –drums, vibes, ‘ukulele, flute, strings (koto, shamisen) — in performances that are nuanced, evocative, brilliant!