On Ensemble : Masato Baba, Kristofer Bergstrom, Shoji Kameda and Kelvin Underwood » Kelvin’s Blog

Latest News

kelvin — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:19:42 +0000

Last weekend was a blast working with the Dancing People Company here in Ashland, Oregon. We had four performances at the historic Armory performance hall for DPC’s annual winter solstice celebration concert “Call Back the Sun”. This time I didn’t collaborate with them using taiko; instead, I used berimbau, cajon and dumbek. It was a slight challenge writing the music for their dance piece “Grassfire” and I’ve realized my potential for alternative percussion set ups. I hope to post some footage of the performance soon.

What else? I currently have 5 taiko students that are showing lots of progress. One in particular, Megan Janssen, is amazing me with how quickly she learns. This is very, very inspiring. I’m planning next year’s Meidoko Green shows which will this time incorporate more students. If all goes well these shows will definitely be something for you all to see.

Tatanka Benefit

kelvin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 03:15:37 +0000

Here’s some footage of my recent collaboration with Phoenix Sigalove last Friday evening at the Tatanka benefit concert. Here’s the link below:

More Teaching

kelvin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:50:04 +0000

Last Saturday I led a follow up to an introduction to Taiko workshop. Things are going well and I’ll be meeting with some excited Taiko students one more time this month before heading down to Los Angeles for more On Ensemble work.

Meidoko Plays La Clinica

kelvin — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 21:24:04 +0000

Meidoko plays La Clinica (Affordable Healthcare Excellence for All):

Join us for Raise Your Heart for Health, our annual late-summer fundraiser. Enjoy fine foods and wine and top-notch entertainment in an extraordinarily fun event that benefits uninsured and low-income residents of our community.

Come to our third annual event, which is planned from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, again at Voorhies Mansion, 2310 Voorhies Road, the home of EdenVale Winery.

Ashland taiko workshop

kelvin — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:42:27 +0000

Yesterday’s introduction to taiko workshop was a success! I managed to get eight participants, and that’s a lot for Ashland. There will be a follow up workshop this Saturday September 16th.

kelvin — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:18:44 +0000

Meidoko had its second Green Show last Tuesday evening and what a success! I can’t wait for our next opportunity to play. This Saturday I’ll be giving an introductory Taiko workshop at Studio Z here in Ashland, Oregon from 1PM-3PM. I’m excited from the response of our Green Show and the interest that it has generated for this weekend’s workshop.

More Meidoko Rehearsals

kelvin — Sat, 14 May 2011 06:56:27 +0000

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.

Meidoko in Rehearsal

kelvin — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:38:20 +0000

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.

Meidoko Green Shows

kelvin — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:08:32 +0000

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 Was A Success!

kelvin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:51:30 +0000

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.