EU-Japan Year of People to People Exchanges

Shuichi Hidano(Left) / Akira Jimbo(Right)

The Japanese taiko and drum collaboration unit "Hida Jimbo" performs in Eastern Europe
The unit "Hida Jinbo," made up of two of Japan's leading percussionists, the Japanese taiko drum performer Shuichi Hidano and drummer Akira Jimbo, will give a performance tour through four East European countries beginning on August 16. (Organized by The Japan Foundation)

Using their exceptional drumming techniques to create a unique new form of percussion that combines Eastern and Western drum traditions, this duo has won international acclaim through performances at Britain’s largest drum festival “Rhythm Sticks” (2002) and a tour of the U.S. in 2003.

This time they will participate in the Sziget Festival in Hungary, the Hodokvas festival in Slovakia, the Trutnov Open Air Music Festival in the Czech Republic and the Opole Jazz Rock Meeting in Poland.

About HidaJimbo
HidaJimbo is a “dynamic duo” made up of Akira Jimbo (Western drums), the most renowned drummer to come out of Japan, and Shuichi Hidano (Taiko Player / Producer / Composer), a former member of the Taiko group KODO, who is currently attempting novel and exciting expressions in the world of Japanese drumming.

The interplay between the classical Taiko drumset (Hidano’s own creation, consisting of 11 Taiko drums arrayed in a drumming setup) and Jimbo`s DTX Drum Trigger System (drums incorporating synthesizers -- a Jimbo innovation in collaboration with Yamaha) create a fusion of Japanese tradition, Western culture, and the latest digital technology -- a manifestation of Japanese culture in condensed form.