Another day of Meidoko rehearsals for our upcoming Green Shows here in Ashland, OR set for July 24th and September 6th. It’s the second rehearsal with local bassist Michael Moellan. He has the right attitude, chops and musicality for what we’re doing. It’s a great pleasure to work with this guy.
It was our third rehearsal today for upcoming Meidoko Green Shows scheduled for July 24th and September 6th here in Ashland, Oregon
. This rehearsal process is loads of fun. The sound and power of the taiko is blending quite nicely with Phoenix’s earthy Rock sound.
I’m pleased to announce that my group Meidoko has two performances at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show this year. We will be performing on Sunday July 24th 7:15PM and Tuesday September 6th 6:45PM. It’s gonna be a stone gas. We’ll be joined by my good friend, awesome guitarist and vocalist Phoenix Sigalove, plus local great Jazz saxophonist Steve Davidson. If you or any of your friends happen to be in the area please come by. Green Shows are free to the public.
15 South Pioneer St. Ashland, Oregon 97520
Today’s workshop at Southern Oregon University was a real success! A lot of students attended and took part in the workshop. Mainly we focused on basic kuchishoga, rhythms and kata based off of Miyake. I had a lot of fun and the Director of Percussion Studies at SOU, Terry Longshore , really enjoyed it as well. Although we’re only at a talking stage right now, we’re both really excited about developing SOU’s first taiko group this fall. 
I’ll be giving a taiko workshop at Southern Oregon University on Wednesday afternoon. It’s for Director of Percussion Studies Terry Longshore’s world music class. If you happen to be in the area, stop by.
On 1/11/11 my wife Rosie successfully gave birth to Ruby Ellen Underwood. She was born at our home. The plan was to have her in a birthing tub, but before the tub was full she decided to come out in our living room. She weighed 6lbs. 8oz. and is totally healthy. I’m so glad that everything went well, especially since I was away on the road with On Ensemble at the time she was born. I was able to see her, Rosie and Blaise on Skype shortly after she was born. I’m really looking forward to getting back home.
All good things must come to an end. What a wonderful experience, and not a dull moment. I’m really going to miss working with the outstanding cast of “Ruined”. I hope we told the stories of the people in the Congo well and that we’ve helped raise awareness of the devastating events that plague central Africa. Also, I’d like to thank Kris, Maz and Shoji for their patience and flexibility during the last eight months.
The cast of Ruined
Yesterday’s concert was a success!!! We performed three selections. The first and second piece are my original compositions “Oteo Machete” which features capoeira movement and Yoruba rhythms, and an untitled modal Jazz piece that features taiko + tenor saxophone. The third piece was an oldy but goodie “Miyake”. We had a lot of fun. My student Suzee Grilley did a fabulous job and was a real pleasure working with Sax master Steve Davidson.