Leonard Eto Guitar solo on Blendrums
Tap on Blendrums
Born in New York, 1963, Leonard joined the Japanese Taiko drum group, KODO in 1984, for which he served as the principal player, organizer, music director as well as composer. In 1992, Leonard left KODO to pursue a solo career, and thereafter produced his own projects such as the Planet "Leo", which incorporates string quartet and his improvisational performances in "Blendrums".
One of the unique qualities that defines Leonard’s artistic character is his exchanges with international artists which have taken him to over 35 countries. 1994 was a special year for Leonard for he won high acclaim for his performance with such greats as Bob Dylan, Michael Kamen (composer), Bon Jovi, The Chieftains, INXS, Ray Cooper, and Roger Taylor (Queen) at "The Great Music Experience" at Todaiji, the temple of the Great Budda, in Nara, Japan. Through his participation in the "MEGADRUMS" Europe tours (1990, 93, 99) as well as a variety of festivals and recording sessions, he performed with such world-renowned artists as Zakir Hussain (tabla), Andreas Vollenweider (harp), Milton Cardona (per.), Doudou Ndiaye Rose (per.), Max Roach (ds.), Michael Shrieve (SANTANA), Siouxsie Sioux, The Creatures and others.
2004 became yet another year of expedition for Leonard: he joined Siouxsie Sioux’s U.S. tour and London concerts as special guest and earned much recognition; furthermore, he toured South Africa, Madagascar, Bahrain, and Kuwait with his Taiko ensemble, Leopro.
Yet another feature to Leonard's unique make up is the originality of his musical creations. His original works have been featured in such Hollywood film productions as "JFK", "The Lion King", "The Hunted" and "The Thin Red Line", and they have also been used in ballet performances by Nina Ananiashvili, with whom he performed in 1998 and Patrick Dupond, as well as for the figure skating performances of Elvis Stojko.
"Tsu-Ku-Tsu", a work specially commissioned by PILOBOLUS, the renowned American modern dance company, has quickly become one of Leonard's representative works. "Tsu-Ku-Tsu" premiered in Boston in May 2000 and opened to critical acclaim and enthusiastic audiences in New York at the Joyce Theater in June 2000, where it enjoyed a three week run. A.J Hewat of the New York Times raves, "He's got rhythm, They've got moves: It's a fit".
The greatest influence on Leonard's music has been the environment in which he grew up. His father, Kimio Eto is the founder of the Ikuta Eto school of Koto playing, and he had performed with such eminent artists as the conductor, Leopold Stokowski and Harry Belafonte, among others. His eldest brother is a recording director, and the elder is the percussionist, Steve Eto.
Eto Bros. at Asivi in Amami Eto Bros. at Asivi in Amami
thanks for adding me back! and thank you again for the great show in Düsseldorf last week, it was amazing, we had so much fun! hope you enjoyed it, too! please come back soon <3 have a good day~
1. Intro Beam Vs. Cyrus 2:17 2. All Over The World Beam Vs. Cyrus 3:22 3. Lifestyle Beam Vs. Cyrus 3:15 4. Take This Sound (Out Of My Head) Beam Vs. Cyrus 3:18 5. Global Evolution Beam Vs. Cyrus 7:02 6. Launch In Progress Beam Vs. Cyrus & The Joker 3:52 7. Thunder In Paradise Beam Vs. Cyrus 3:12 8. Mission Started Beam Vs. Cyrus 7:23 9. Lifestyle Beam Vs. Cyrus 7:44 10. All Over The World Beam Vs. Cyrus 7:11 11. Hard Stuff Beam Vs. Cyrus 6:29 12. Thunder In Paradise Beam Vs. Cyrus 9:30 13. Outro Beam Vs. Cyrus 2:09
Kia ora (hello), Thank you for adding us! We are fans of your music, to us you are a legend. We are very happy to be connected with you :) Best wishes to you from Aotearoa/New Zealand! Doumo arigato gozaimasu :)
Thank you so much for adding me as your friend. It's really good to see you through this my space. how are you doing thesedays? I sometimes miss your taiko sound.
