Top: Members of the ON Ensemble. Bottom: Members of Shasta Taiko.

MT. SHASTA — Taiko is gaining popularity worldwide and has found its way to Mt. Shasta. Musicians Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer founded Shasta Taiko 23 years ago, and their taiko program has had a direct impact on the development of American taiko.

On Saturday, July 26, at the base of majestic Mt. Shasta, the fourth annual ShastaYama Festival will once again entertain and inspire audiences with a spectacle of Japanese drumming, dance, and music. Last year’s festival attracted over 1,000 concert-goers, who experienced world-class artistry in the dramatic venue of Mt. Shasta’s Shastice Park.

Past ShastaYama guest artists have included San Jose Taiko in 2005, Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 2006, and American taiko master Kenny Endo in 2007.

ShastaYama 2008’s featured guest artists are the ON Ensemble from Los Angeles, taiko and dance artist Michelle Fujii, and Shasta Taiko, led by taiko pioneers Baba and Mercer.

Preceding the 7:30 p.m. main show, the audience will be entertained by popular area groups Kazango Jazz and Allison & Victor.

Adding to the festivities will be food and refreshments by Sengthong’s, Wild Thyme Café, Red’s Cajun Cooking, Brown Trout Café, Food Arts, and more.

Two members of ON Ensemble started training as children with Shasta Taiko: Masato Baba, the son of Russel and Jeanne, and Shoji Kameda, who later became a member of the band Hiroshima. Both are regarded as among the most respected taiko artists and composers in America.

The talents of Kristofer Bergstrom and Kelvin Underwood add to ON’s creative blend of taiko, percussion, flute, drum kit, koto, and throat singing. Modern Drummer Magazine calls them “an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums.”

Former ON member Fujii is known for her innovative fusion of taiko and dance and is a leader in the American taiko movement.

Shasta Taiko, according to the Anchorage Daily News, “pushed the bounds of traditional music, bringing a new creativity that will carry taiko into the next generation ... fashioning a new cultural and artistic tradition.”

“Organizing ShastaYama takes a lot of time and energy,” says Russel Baba, “but the precious, wonderful hours of the festival are magical, making it worth the effort. The audience, artists, and all involved are inspired and moved by ShastaYama. I believe anyone who experiences ShastaYama will want to come again. Jeanne and I recognize a special treasure is here to nurture and grow.”

Mercer adds, “There are many who contribute to the success of ShastaYama, and we are grateful to Mario Rubino and Shasta Mountain Playhouse, Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce, Mt. Shasta Recreation District, area businesses, and family and friends for their support over the years.”

ShastaYama 2008 will be held at Shastice Park (Rockfellow and Adams Drive). Tickets are $20 (age 13 and up), $15 (age 5 to 12), and free for age 4 and under. Tickets may be purchased at Village Books and at Soul Connections in Mt. Shasta, Bogbeans Books and Music in Redding, Yreka Chamber of Commerce, and at the gate. For credit card purchases, call (800) 926-4865 ext. 203 or visit www.shastayama.org.

The gate opens at 5:30 p.m. for the pre-concert show and food sales. Bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating on the grass. Warm clothes and a flashlight are advised for after sunset.
For more information, call (530) 859-8686 or check out the website.