Athletic Fireworks
“The physical intensity of their performance, as well as their mechanical efficiency and almost inhuman rhythmic accuracy, was unstoppable. That it could be done with such unique grace of movement and confidence is wholly unbelievable; athletic fireworks stippling the Elora Festival’s worthy closing ceremony.”
Dawn Stevenson, Guelph Mercury
City’s musical treasures
“Nagata Shachu is one of our city’s musical treasures… I’ve seen the group, led by Canadian-born taiko master Kiyoshi Nagata, several times over its history and its performances are invariably filled with a high level of ensemble musicianship coupled with mental and corporeal discipline.”
Andrew Timar , Whole Note
Unforgettable Experience
“Nagata Shachu primal drum concert an unforgettable experience.” Full Review.
Ken Keaton, Palm Beach Daily News
Music in These Drums
Feature article in the Hamilton Spectator. (Nov 15, 2006)
Leonard Turnevicius, Hamilton Spectator
Spectrum of sound and rhythm
“…an extremely varied and nuanced spectrum of sound and rhythm” Full review.
Karen Ages, The Wholenote (on the CD ‘Kiro’)
Marching to his own beat
Feature article in the Toronto Sun. (Oct 9, 2006)
Nicolas Davis, Toronto Sun
An echoing soundscape
Review of Nagata Shachu’s production IROHA in Ottawa in Carleton University’s Charlatan
Carleton University’s Charlatan
Women March to a Taiko Beat
Feature article in the Globe and Mail. (Oct 13, 2006)
Tamara Bernstein, Globe and Mail
Heartbeat of Japan
Preview of Nagata Shachu’s production IROHA in the Nov 5 edition of the Toronto Sun
Errol Nazareth, Toronto Sun
Rhythmic intricacy
“Employing fourteen different types of drums, bells, gongs as well as Shinobue (Japanese Folk Flute) Nagata’s studio album, Tenkai, combines wonderfully spare moments of rhythmic intricacy with the loud forcefulness of deep drumbeats. Because taiko drumming is so unique when played live, the album isn’t attempting to reproduce that sound onto disc. By employing the flute and stressing the subtleties of taiko drumming, Tenkai, produces a sound that will seep into your brain when you think you’re paying attention to something else and produce a relaxing sensation.”
Max Ritts, The U of T Varsity (on the CD ‘Tenkai’)
Every pulse is packed with subtle inflection
“Their attitude of meticulous care and pride is striking. It is what captivates the audience from the moment the musicians walk on stage to perform. Power sweetened by restraint is magnetic. …Every pulse is packed with subtle inflection. Each drummer seems to be speaking in a very specific way through his or her drum. It’s like listening to a story. The rhythm builds as one cycle of sound is superimposed upon another. There’s a natural yet highly organized structure to what we’re hearing. The kind of structure you hear in a thunderstorm, or see in a sunrise.”
Kristen John, U of T Underground
An electrifying surprise
“The compositions and expert playing made for an evening of revelatory music; tourniquet-tight story telling on various Japanese drums properly known as Taiko….the various solos performed throughout the show by all the members were focused and tight, leaving the audience cheering throughout the numbers much as with a jazz show audience. And this is important, as there is a degree of improvisation in the numbers. Whereas some compositions for percussion [and jazz] can fall into alienating self-indulgence, each performance by the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble was an electrifying surprise; edge of your seat stuff.”
R. Glenn Curry, CityGigs.com
Powerful music, beautiful in its simplicity
“Gone is the melody and the beat, but the memory lives on… If you were part of the wall-to-wall audience who crammed the Mill Race Amphitheater, watching the river run by and listening to the sensational Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, you’ll know what I mean. They’re one of the few groups in North America who own and play on a full set of authentic taiko (Japanese drum). And what a sound they produce. The Ensemble gave us powerful music, beautiful in it’s simplicity, with relentless, energetic rhythms that hypnotized the audience. Well, at least enthralled and entranced us. The Festival couldn’t have ended more dramatically.”
Margaret Hitchcock, Old Chestnuts Song Circle Newsletter
Thrilling rhythms
“Thrilling rhythms from a freestyle Japanese drum solo backed by flute and bass drum beat by the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble opened the evening (Dancers for Life at the Hummingbird Centre).”
Janice Mawhinney, Toronto Star
Nagata invests in his art
“The thoughtfulness Nagata invests in his art isn’t just evidenced in how gongs, flutes, shakers and Japanese cymbals perfectly compliment the ensemble’s battery of drums. It’s also in how he titles his albums. Koku, by the way, means ’empty sky’.”
Errol Nazareth, Eye Weekly (on the CD ‘Koku’)
Reverberated through the soles of feet
“The beat of the traditional Japanese drums reverberated through the soles of feet, massaged backs, and changed the rhythms of hearts…”
Sarah Bissonette, Parry Sound North Star
Energetic and powerful artistry
“Particularly commanding was the performance by internationally renowned drummers Kiyoshi Nagata Taiko Ensemble. Such energetic and powerful artistry was a treasure to experience.”
Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia
Rhythm-driven sound
“The focus of the ensemble is to rejuvenate this ancient art form with modern interpretations. The result is rhythm-driven sound with an exciting visual component. The musicians are also athletes. Playing the over-sized drums through a series of choreographed movements that look like synchronized martial arts. It’s possible that Nagata composes the soundtrack to a good ass kicking”
Alli Marshall, Mountain Xpress North Carolina
Simplicity and precision was riveting
“The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble took the audience by surprise with their Japanese taiko drumming and flawlessly choreographed performance. Kiyoshi’s simplicity and precision was riveting, especially during Aki Takahashi’s spotlight on vocals and the three-stringed shamisen.”
Anna Ash, Michigan Daily
Spiritual perfection
“To say they played with mechanical precision would sound too sterile; while meter perfect, their minimalist style spoke more of humanity’s quest for spiritual perfection.”
Tim McCloskey, The Lance
Amazing to eye and ear
“Worthy of special mention from Friday’s sets [Ann Arbor Folk Festival]…folk-drumming troupe Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, whose athletic performance was amazing to eye and ear.”
Roger Lelievre, Ann Arbor News
The exciting Japanese percussion group
“…the exciting Japanese percussion group, the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, made its first gala visit (Dancers For Life at the Hummingbird Centre). Nagata’s group is both multicultural and cross-gender, and it was wonderful to see a young woman take on the huge taiko drum.”
Paula Citron, Globe and Mail
Flawless execution
“…even with the name change, it was hard not to identify the distinctive sound of the group, and moreover, their flawless execution of complicated sets like that of their recent performance.”
Kimberly Fu, Scene and Heard
Jaw-dropping precision
“…packed with intricate costume designs, mesmerizing rhythms and jaw-dropping precision.”
Kimberly Fu, Scene and Heard
Emotional and exhilarating
“An emotional and exhilarating two hours of thunderous and hypnotic drumming.” See Full Review
Tammy Wilson, Bancroft Times
Tremendous passion and discipline
“…Nagata’s tremendous passion and discipline constantly manifests itself in mesmerizing performances.”
Errol Nazareth, Toronto Sun
Majestic synchronized movements
“As the five-member taiko group took to the stage, the powerful sounds the slight drummers generated were astounding. At times, arms moved so quickly they were but a blur, and then they slowed, becoming majestic synchronized movements – perfect percolating percussion.”
Olga Boutsis Herrmann, Scarborough Mirror
One of the world’s most Interesting Japanese taiko drumming ensembles
“It’s another credit to this cosmopolitan city that one of the world’s most interesting Japanese taiko drumming ensembles hails from Toronto. Since 1998, the nine-person group, headed by Kiyoshi Nagata has consistently added new layers of invention to the traditional drumming-and-dancing repertoire.”