Action Research 82

Action Research 82:

Tatsuya Nakatani
(solo)
(Easton, PA)
http://www.hhproduction.org/all-otherinfo.html

--intermission--

Nakatani Gong Orchestra
(Tatsuya Nakatani leading an ensemble comprised of Felici Asteinza, John David Eriksen, Jason Gottfried, Shara Lunon, Mark McGee, and Zach Randall)
http://www.hhproduction.org/NGO.html

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TATSUYA NAKATANI
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Tatsuya Nakatani (percussion) is originally from Osaka, Japan. In 2006 he performed in 80 cities in 7 countries and collaborated with 163 artists worldwide. In the past 10 years he has released nearly 50 recordings on CD.

He has created his own instrumentation, effectively inventing many instruments and extended techniques. He utilizes drumset, bowed gongs, cymbals, singing bowls, metal objects, bells, and various sticks and bows to create an intense, organic music that defies category or genre. His music is based in improvised/ experimental music, jazz, free jazz, rock, and noise, yet retains the sense of space and beauty found in traditional Japanese folk music.

In addition to live solo and ensemble performances he works as a sound designer for film and television. He also teaches Masterclasses and Workshops at the University level. He also heads H&H Production, an independent record label and recording studio based in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was selected as a performing artist for the Pennsylvania Performing Artist on Tour (PennPat) roster as well as a Bronx Arts Council Individual Artist grant.

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NAKATANI GONG ORCHESTRA
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The unconventional, uncontrollable, and uncertain qualities of gong sounds are percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani’s passion. Having played bowed gongs for over ten years, he has toured and performed all over the U.S. and internationally with the instruments in his van, many of which he created himself. While on tour, Nakatani enjoys collaborating with local orchestra crews from the cities he visits.

Nakatani has recently launched the N.G.O. (Nakatani Gong Orchestra), a bold, new project born out of Nakatani's ten years of solo percussionist experience. As a solo performer, both of his hands are occupied by bow or mallet, limiting him to just two gongs. But imagine the wall of sound of ten hands playing ten gongs. That’s the sonic power of N.G.O.

An N.G.O. performance starts with five people on five gong kits, usually 8-10 gongs onstage with Nakatani as the ensemble's conductor. All stands, bows and mallets are assembled or hand-made by Nakatani as an important phase of the composing process of N.G.O. and its music.

The music of N.G.O. creates a metallic temple of deep harmonies. The gongs are bowed and softly struck by mallets to produce sounds that defy musical categorization. A 40-inch large gong creates extreme low-frequency wave forms that cross-vibrate with the tones of the other gongs of varying sizes. The result is a sound which emanates from the deepest frequency pool and is felt in the very depths of the body.

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N.G.O. PLAYERS
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Felici Asteinza is a painter who mainly works intuitively; she is
primarily interested in color and is working towards an MFA degree at
University of South Florida.

John David Eriksen is a musician, software developer, and prison
outreach volunteer living in Gainesville, Florida.

Shara Lunon is a graduating ethnomusicology and vocal perfomance
major, specializing in Brazilian modernism and progressive rock from
the 70's.

Mark McGee is a multi-faceted percussionist specializing in a wide
variety of experimental and world music styles.

Zach Randall is a drummer currently living in Gainesville and is
getting a masters degree in biology.

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Saturday, February 18, 2012
8:30 pm doors
9:00 sharp start time

The Church of Holy Colors
11 SE 5th Ave.
Gainesville, FL

$5