TaikOz comes to Cairns Civic Theatre on Tuesday 3 July at 7.30pm. Tickets are available by calling 1300 855 835 or online at www.ticketlink.com.au. Adults $42, Concession, $37.

What can you tell me about taiko drumming?

Taiko drumming originally hails from Japan where, for centuries, the instruments have been used in Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, the classical nõ theatre and the popular kabuki theatre.

However, modern taiko performance has grown out of the folk tradition of “matsuridaiko” or festival drumming: ancient rhythms, melodies and styles of playing have migrated out of their localised contexts and been transformed into modern concert hall pieces.

With the onset of international travel and collaboration, groups like TaikOz have also added their voice to the tradition, too.

Taiko performance is by nature physically active and exciting: it’s almost dance-like in its approach, where one can’t separate movement from sound. This has to do with the story telling roots of festival drumming and the use of taiko as a vehicle for celebration and ritual.

There are over 8,000 groups around the world, ranging from traditional regional groups to amateur “kumidaiko” (mixed instrument) ensembles and professional, contemporary concert hall groups. While TaikOz comes out of this tradition, it definitely sees itself as an Australian ensemble, not an imitation of a Japanese one.

Is movement a part of the performance?

Yes, movement is a big part of the performance - from the smallest ritualistic movements like walking on stage, picking up the drum-sticks, standing & sitting, to the dance-like movements of playing the taiko.

Even the pieces that don’t have specific dances associated with the taiko rhythm radiate movement – it’s a very exciting aspect of our performance.