San Jose TaikO (SJT)
Rhythm SPirit concert 2025 (RS25) press kit

TALKING POINTS

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Talking points:

1. San José Taiko was founded in 1973 in San Jose Japantown by young by Asian American activists searching for cultural identity. Their original music reflects a mosaic of influences, representative of the diverse voices and experiences of many generations of performers.

2. Since its inception in 1973, San José Taiko has captivated global audiences and critics alike with the powerful, spellbinding, and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum.

3. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to connect people through cultural understanding, creative expression, and rhythmic heartbeat.

4. San José Taiko is a world-class ensemble, performing extensively both nationally and internationally, reaching more than 55,000 audience members each year.  

5. As part of a global arts community, San José Taiko works with world-renowned artists to create a contemporary Asian American voice. San José Taiko has broadened and embellished this historical art form into a distinct performance style that blends the traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with contemporary influences.

6. San José Taiko performers use the power and beauty of taiko to transcend cultural barriers and foster a greater understanding of Japanese American culture.

7. San José Taiko is acknowledged as one of the premier taiko ensembles in the world, whose artistry, philosophy, and unique organizational structure are emulated by many arts groups throughout the U.S. and Japan. 

8.  San José Taiko has been a significant influencer in the development of the taiko art form around the world and is a leader in helping to form, nurture, and develop the taiko community.

9. San José Taiko is one of the first ensembles in the genre to integrate movement and choreography to create contemporary expressions of a traditional style.

For media inquiries please contact San Jose Taiko Business Manager Emma Valentine at emma(at)taiko(dot)org.