A little bit about me. . .
Born June 24, 1987 in a small town outside of Richmond, VA. Jason has always been reminisce of the arts. Primal beats, pleasureful sights, tangible works that capture nature in its most precious form -- all of which captivate his emotion and imagination. Music has been an integral part of Jason's life since he was a boy. Without it, he would be a much different person today.
Nearly ten years ago, Jason began a journey to learn the traditional art known as Taiko. Since then, he has been so humbled to have the opportunities to study, perform, and teach taiko to others. Sensei Takemasa Ishikura of Matsuriza in Orlando, FL has harbored and selflessly taught Jason the ways of taiko drumming and the Sukeroku style of playing. Today, Jason has developed a new mission in life. His aspirations are to continue learning from the many resources both in the United States as well as in Japan and to one day open a school for taiko drumming in New Hampshire. The mission is to help spread the joys of taiko drumming to others and create value through education and performance. Recently, Jason was asked, "why do you play taiko?" Here is what he had to say; "There are many reasons as to why I play taiko. The first and foremost reason is simply because of my passion for music, the arts, and my passion for Japanese culture and history. While there are many ways to combine the two, taiko drumming always seemed to attract me the most. The second reason why I started playing taiko is because of its physicality and need for mental acuity. Taiko drumming, for me, combines the heart, spirit, mind, and body as one. When I play the drum, I connect with the world that surrounds me. To me, the drum is alive. Carved from trees that are hundreds of years old, skinned by cows who graciously roam the land, and kept into place by metal forged for the Earth. Finally, the drum is brought to life with the waves of sound moving through the air within the taiko. All of these elements come together in a manner that represents the most primal rhythm in life. When I play taiko, I am more alive than ever. That is why I play taiko." |