“Yamoto: The Drummers of Japan” to perform at the Phillips Center on Nov. 18

November 7, 2007

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Yamato: The Drummers of Japan are bringing the ancient art of taiko drumming to the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

The performance called “ShinOn: Heartbeat” blends thunderous rhythms with delicate Japanese music in a celebration of Japan’s rich cultural traditions. Yamato believes that the drumbeat, like the heartbeat, is the very pulse of life.

While the word taiko means “great” or “wide drum” in the Japanese language, outside of Japan it has come to mean any style or type of Japanese drum. The historical development of taiko drumming is not fully known, although it is certain that the drums were used on the battlefields of ancient Japan. Because of Japan’s humid climate, taiko drums normally have a high amount of tension on the drum heads which helps to create a high pitch relative to body size.

Yamato will perform at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18. A pre-performance discussion begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets cost $20-$35.

Tickets are available at the Phillips Center Box Office, University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union and all Ticketmaster outlets. On the Web, go to www.ticketmaster.com. Anyone interested also can call 392-ARTS (2787) or toll free in Florida at 800-905-ARTS.