The Kenny Endo Contemporary Ensemble is a multi-instrumental ensemble featuring master taiko artist, Kenny Endo. The Ensemble performs original works combining taiko with melodic and other instruments such as koto (Japanese zither), shinobue or shakuhachi (bamboo flutes), vibraphones, viola, tsugaru shamisen, saxophone, violin, guitar, and djembe (type of African drum). Featured guest artists have included: Keola Beamer, Kiyohiko Semba, Kaoru Watanabe, Bobby McFerrin, Rene McLean, Noel Okimoto, Brad Dutz, Eitetsu Hayashi, Leonard Eto, Abe Lagrimas, Eien Hunter, Shoko Hikage, Masayo Ishigure, Paul Jackson, Yoshinori Nomi, Hitoshi Hamada, Hideaki Kuribayashi, Hiros Nakagawa, Akikazu Nakamura, Masakazu Yoshizawa, Kazumi Watanabe, Stuart Chafetz, Abhijit Banerjee and others.
Contemporary Ensemble:
Kenny Endo, odaiko, taiko set, percussion
Kaoru Watanabe, Japanese bamboo flutes (nohkan, ryuteki, shinobue), Western flute, taiko
Sumie Kaneko, Japanese koto, shamisen
Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, vibraphones, taiko, percussion
Chizuko Endo, taiko, percussion