Shoji Kameda
Encyclopedia
Shoji Kameda is a fourth-generation Japanese American
musician and composer, and leading player of North American taiko
.
He is a founder and member of On Ensemble, a contemporary taiko quartet,
and a member of the jazz fusion group Hiroshima
.
. He grew up in Mt. Shasta, California and attended Mt. Shasta High School. He graduated from Stanford University
in 1999 with a B.A. in History and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Emi Yoshimura.
and members of San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Kameda and friend, Masato Baba, were two of the original members of Shasta Taiko, one of North America's earliest children's taiko groups. Both Kameda and Baba were featured in the video documentary, "Shasta Taiko", winner of the 16th annual National Cable ACE Award in cultural affairs.
Soon after enrolling at Stanford in the fall of 1994, Kameda joined Stanford Taiko where he was a member from 1994 to 1996 and 1997 to 1999, taking a gap year during the 1996/1997 academic year to study with Kenny Endo in Honolulu, Hawai’i and perform with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. Once back at Stanford, he served as artistic director and composer for Stanford Taiko. In 1998, Kameda was a driving force behind the group’s ability to present their first concert of all original compositions.
Following his graduation from Stanford, Kameda played briefly with San Jose Taiko, then moved to Japan in 2000 for two years to study traditional Japanese music. While there he studied hogaku hayashi with Saburo Mochitsuki, edo bayashi with Kyosuke Suzuki, and played kumidaiko with Nihon Taiko Dojo.
While in Japan, Kameda, Masato Baba, and Kris Bergstrom
performed in Hakodate on August 2001, planting the seed that was to become On Ensemble, the group currently composed of Kameda, Baba, Bergstrom, and Kelvin Underwood. In 2005, Kameda produced the ensemble's first CD, Dust and Sand which was met with critical acclaim. In 2009, he produced Ume in the Middle, a recording noted for its "boundless imagination" with "truly interesting and innovative" tracks
.
Since 2004 Kameda has toured and recorded with the jazz fusion group Hiroshima
. Their latest release, Legacy, was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award
.
Kameda has been active in a number of other projects as well. He was a charter member and musical director of TaikoProject, touring with the re(generation) show, and composing Omiyage, one of the first open source compositions gifted to the taiko community.
In 2008, Kameda appeared with Stevie Wonder
at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
. In 2009, he worked with Khoomei Taiko Ensemble, appearing at the Kennedy Center
and at the Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle
and Lisa Coleman
and Calling All Dawns, produced by Christopher Tin
.
.
In 2010, he partnered with Sam Hale on the film Yamasong, produced by Heather Henson and shown at the Florida Film Festival; the film garnered awards for Best Fantasy Short Film and Best Animated Film at the 2010 Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival.
In 2009 Kameda was again recognized by the Center for Intercultural Performance and chosen to be a U.S. Fellow to Indonesia
Japanese American
are American people of Japanese heritage. Japanese Americans have historically been among the three largest Asian American communities, but in recent decades have become the sixth largest group at roughly 1,204,205, including those of mixed-race or mixed-ethnicity...
musician and composer, and leading player of North American taiko
Taiko
means "drum" in Japanese . Outside Japan, the word is often used to refer to any of the various Japanese drums and to the relatively recent art-form of ensemble taiko drumming...
.
He is a founder and member of On Ensemble, a contemporary taiko quartet,
and a member of the jazz fusion group Hiroshima
Hiroshima (band)
Hiroshima is an American jazz fusion/smooth jazz band formed in 1974 by Sansei Japanese American Dan Kuramoto , Peter Hata , June Kuramoto , Johnny Mori , Dave Iwataki and Danny Yamamoto...
.
Personal life
Kameda was born on May 1, 1976 in San Jose, CaliforniaSan Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
. He grew up in Mt. Shasta, California and attended Mt. Shasta High School. He graduated from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
in 1999 with a B.A. in History and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Emi Yoshimura.
Taiko
Kameda started playing taiko when he was 8 years-old. His first teachers were Russell Baba and Jeanne Mercer, former students of Seiichi TanakaSeiichi Tanaka
Seiichi Tanaka is the first Japan-trained teacher of kumidaiko, or taiko, in the United States and largely regarded as the father of the art form in North America...
and members of San Francisco Taiko Dojo. Kameda and friend, Masato Baba, were two of the original members of Shasta Taiko, one of North America's earliest children's taiko groups. Both Kameda and Baba were featured in the video documentary, "Shasta Taiko", winner of the 16th annual National Cable ACE Award in cultural affairs.
Soon after enrolling at Stanford in the fall of 1994, Kameda joined Stanford Taiko where he was a member from 1994 to 1996 and 1997 to 1999, taking a gap year during the 1996/1997 academic year to study with Kenny Endo in Honolulu, Hawai’i and perform with the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble. Once back at Stanford, he served as artistic director and composer for Stanford Taiko. In 1998, Kameda was a driving force behind the group’s ability to present their first concert of all original compositions.
Following his graduation from Stanford, Kameda played briefly with San Jose Taiko, then moved to Japan in 2000 for two years to study traditional Japanese music. While there he studied hogaku hayashi with Saburo Mochitsuki, edo bayashi with Kyosuke Suzuki, and played kumidaiko with Nihon Taiko Dojo.
While in Japan, Kameda, Masato Baba, and Kris Bergstrom
Kris Bergstrom
Kristofer Bergstrom is a leading North American taiko player. He is a member of Los Angeles-based taiko quartet On Ensemble and of North American taiko group TAIKOPROJECT. In addition to taiko, Bergstrom plays the shamisen, koto, and turntable as a member of On Ensemble.-Personal life:Kristofer...
performed in Hakodate on August 2001, planting the seed that was to become On Ensemble, the group currently composed of Kameda, Baba, Bergstrom, and Kelvin Underwood. In 2005, Kameda produced the ensemble's first CD, Dust and Sand which was met with critical acclaim. In 2009, he produced Ume in the Middle, a recording noted for its "boundless imagination" with "truly interesting and innovative" tracks
.
Since 2004 Kameda has toured and recorded with the jazz fusion group Hiroshima
Hiroshima (band)
Hiroshima is an American jazz fusion/smooth jazz band formed in 1974 by Sansei Japanese American Dan Kuramoto , Peter Hata , June Kuramoto , Johnny Mori , Dave Iwataki and Danny Yamamoto...
. Their latest release, Legacy, was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
.
Kameda has been active in a number of other projects as well. He was a charter member and musical director of TaikoProject, touring with the re(generation) show, and composing Omiyage, one of the first open source compositions gifted to the taiko community.
In 2008, Kameda appeared with Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
at the 2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
The United States 2008 Democratic National Convention was a quadrennial presidential nominating convention of the Democratic Party where it adopted its national platform and officially nominated its candidates for President and Vice President of the United States. The convention was held in Denver,...
. In 2009, he worked with Khoomei Taiko Ensemble, appearing at the Kennedy Center
and at the Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle
Studio Work
Kameda's studio credits include Heroes Original Television Score, produced by Wendy MelvoinWendy Melvoin
Wendy Melvoin is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter, best known for her work with Prince as part of his backing band The Revolution, and for her collaboration with Lisa Coleman as one half of the duo Wendy & Lisa....
and Lisa Coleman
Lisa Coleman (musician)
Lisa Coleman is an American Emmy® Award winning musician and composer. Coleman plays piano and keyboards. She was a member of Prince's backing band The Revolution from 1980-1986. She is currently one half of the musical duo Wendy & Lisa, formed with Wendy Melvoin in 1986.-Early life:Coleman's...
and Calling All Dawns, produced by Christopher Tin
Christopher Tin
Christopher Tin is an American composer of Chinese descent whose work is primarily classical, with a world music influence. He won two Grammy Awards for his classical crossover album, Calling All Dawns. He is also a composer for films, video games and commercials...
.
Film Work
Kameda composed and performed the score for Abduction: The Megumi Yokota StoryAbduction: The Megumi Yokota Story
Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story is an American documentary about Megumi Yokota, a Japanese student who was abducted by a North Korean agent in 1977.The film made its world premiere at the 2006 Slamdance Film Festival and has won numerous awards...
.
In 2010, he partnered with Sam Hale on the film Yamasong, produced by Heather Henson and shown at the Florida Film Festival; the film garnered awards for Best Fantasy Short Film and Best Animated Film at the 2010 Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival.
Awards and honors
In 2006 Kameda was selected to participate in the Asia Pacific Performance Exchange (APPEX) at UCLA's Center for Intercultural Performance and appeared in "one of the most perfectly realized group pieces".In 2009 Kameda was again recognized by the Center for Intercultural Performance and chosen to be a U.S. Fellow to Indonesia
Works
- Yamasong, Sam Hale. 2010.
- Ume in the Middle, On Ensemble. Turtlefield Music, 2009.
- Calling All Dawns, Christopher Tin, 2009.
- Legacy, Hiroshima. Heads UpHeads Up InternationalHeads Up International is an independent jazz and contemporary instrumental label located in Cleveland, Ohio.Founded in 1990 by Dave Love, Heads Up International has gained international recognition for its contribution to the world of contemporary instrumental music...
, 2009. - Heroes Original Television Score. La-La Land Records, 2009.
- Little Tokyo, Hiroshima. Heads UpHeads Up InternationalHeads Up International is an independent jazz and contemporary instrumental label located in Cleveland, Ohio.Founded in 1990 by Dave Love, Heads Up International has gained international recognition for its contribution to the world of contemporary instrumental music...
, 2007. - Abduction: The Megumi Yokota Story. Safari Media, 2006.
- Dust and Sand, On Ensemble, 2005.
- Obon, Hiroshima. Heads UpHeads Up InternationalHeads Up International is an independent jazz and contemporary instrumental label located in Cleveland, Ohio.Founded in 1990 by Dave Love, Heads Up International has gained international recognition for its contribution to the world of contemporary instrumental music...
, 2005.