In celebration of the 2006 Australia-Japan Year of Exchange, the Japan Foundation, Sydney presents a drumming tour de force featuring the return of Japan’s premier solo taiko player, Eitetsu Hayashi.

A founding member of the legendary taiko group, Sado-Ondekoza (Demon Drummers of Japan) and one of the most progressive musicians in the world, EITETSU HAYASHI’s performances have been credited with bringing musical fulfilment that can surpass that of a full orchestra – the sound ranging from serene tranquillity to the rhythmic, roaring thunder of his powerful 300kg Odaiko (Grand Drum).

Eitetsu has performed to packed venues in Australia, and around the world, as soloist for premier orchestras including the Boston Symphony and the Sydney Symphony in 2002. He debuted at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony and received a standing ovation from a 20,000 strong audience while performing with the Berlin Philharmonic in 2000, under the baton of the great Japanese conductor, Kent Nagano.

Inspired by the traditional folk festivals and Japanese Buddhist practices, Eitetsu’s music is also fused with contemporary compositional techniques and experimental endeavours. His breathtaking preciseness, extreme power and speed, beauty of sound and depth of expression delivers a stunningly powerful performance bridging East and West, old and new.

Eitetsu wowed audiences and critics alike with his Australian debut at the opening of the 2000 Sydney Festival where he performed with TAIKOZ, Australia’s acclaimed taiko ensemble and shakuhachi flute Grand Master, RILEY LEE. TaikOz, hailed by critics as the “even samurai of drumming”, and Lee are regular collaborators with some of the greatest names in Japanese music, as well as Australia’s premier symphony orchestras and Festivals.

These stunning musicians will perform one concert only in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra to open the 2006 Australia - Japan year of Exchange which commemorates the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship between our countries 30 years ago.

The rich and diverse programme features Eitetsu’s masterpiece, The Wings of Flightless Birds, used in the genre-breaking anime soundtrack Samurai 7 and compositions from the visceral TaikOz repertoire. They will be joined onstage by MATTHEW DOYLE, one of Australia’s foremost didgeridoo artists and FU-UN NO KAI, a young ensemble of taiko players who, supporting Eitetsu, have created a sensation all over Japan.