Presented in collaboration with Japan Foundation

From taiko to tap—this lively performance features two remarkable artists together in a rhythm showcase: Japan’s award-winning tap dancer Kazunori Kumagai and the innovative multi-instrumentalist and composer Kaoru Watanabe. Each artist will perform a solo before coming together at the end for a rhythmic explosion.

About the artists:

Kazunori Kumagai was born in Sendai City, Japan. He started tap dancing at the age of 15 and came to New York at the age of 19. He trained at Funk University, the training workshop for the hit Broadway musical Bring in da' Noise, Bring in 'da Funk. He studied with Ted Levy, Buster Brown, Gregory Hines, Barbara Duffy, and Derick K. Grant. Since then, he has performed in many New York City downtown clubs, such as The Knitting Factory, Tonic, and just recently he performed his solo show at the Blue Note NY. Since 2002, he has performed in Tony Waag’s Tap City, the New York City Tap Festival and was dubbed by The Village Voice as the "Japanese Gregory Hines." In 2006, he was selected as one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch." In 2014, He received the Flo-Bert Award, a prestigious award that honors tap dancers for outstanding achievements. 

In 2008, he opened his first tap dance studio, KAZ TAP STUDIO, in Japan, and has subsequently taught throughout Japan including in his hometown of Sendai City, site of severe damage in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Kazu currently lives in Brooklyn, NY and tours all over the world. He recently won the "Bessie Award 2016" as an "Outstanding Performer." 

Kaoru Watanabe is a Brooklyn based composer and musician, acclaimed for his innovative approach to powerful Japanese drums and the texturally rich melodies of the Japanese flutes with virtuosic, odd-meter improvisations. He has a passion for cross cultural and multi-disciplinary collaborations, working with such artists as National Living Treasure Bando Tamasaburo, Jason Moran, So Percussion, Adam Rudolph, directors Wes Anderson and Martin Scorsese and was a featured guest on Yo-Yo Ma's Grammy Award-winning album Sing Me Home. Watanabe was a performer and artistic director of the internationally acclaimed Japanese taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo for close to a decade.

Watanabe has performed his compositions at such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, Kabukiza and in Minamiza, has performed in all 47 prefectures in Japan as well as across the North, Central and South Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Presented as part of February’s First Friday Happy Hour.

First Friday is Asia Society’s unique happy hour from 6:00–9:00pm on the first Friday of the month, offering free museum admission, exhibition tours, refreshments, late night shopping at AsiaStore, and more.

Currently on view at the museum:

In Focus: An Assembly of Gods
Through March 25, 2018
This exhibition takes an in-depth look at a large Chinese pantheon painting from the early nineteenth century.

Masterpieces from the Asia Society Museum Collection
Through March 25, 2018
This exhibition features a selection of the finest artworks from the renowned Asia Society Museum Collection