Taku Hirano

Takuya Hirano (平野 琢也, Hirano Takuya) (born October 22, 1973, stylized as Taku Hirano) is a Japanese percussionist and recording artist. He has performed as a solo artist and as one half of the duo Tao Of Sound. He has toured with Fleetwood Mac and Whitney Houston as a percussionist.

Taku Hirano
Birth nameTakuya Hirano
Born (1973-10-22) October 22, 1973
Osaka, Japan
Occupation(s)percussionist, record producer, recording artist
Instrument(s)Percussion
Years active1996–present
LabelsRopeadope Records
Websitetaku.ninja

Biography

Takuya "Taku" Hirano was born in Osaka, and grew up in Fresno, California and Hong Kong. He attended Hong Kong International School[1] and graduated from Roosevelt School of the Arts at Theodore Roosevelt High School (Fresno), where he studied orchestral percussion, jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz, and salsa music. He then attended Berklee College of Music, studying under Giovanni Hidalgo and Jamey Haddad, graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Music as the college's first Hand Percussion principal.[2] He has also studied drum set with Alan Dawson and Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, as well as in Havana, Cuba with Changuito.[3]

As a percussionist, Hirano has toured with Fleetwood Mac,[4] Whitney Houston,[5] Bette Midler,[6] Stevie Nicks,[7] Lionel Richie,[8] Isaac Hayes, Dr. John, Lindsey Buckingham,[9] John Mayer,[10] A.R. Rahman,[11][12] Hikaru Utada,[13] and with Cirque du Soleil on Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour.[14][15]

Hirano has recorded with Dr. Dre[16] on 2001,[17] Fleetwood Mac, Whitney Houston, The Temptations, Hikaru Utada, Stevie Nicks, LeAnn Rimes, Josh Groban, Chromeo, Ziggy Marley, Emmanuel Jal, Nelly Furtado and Lionel Richie, in addition to working on major motion picture soundtracks.[18][19][20]

As co-founder of the production duo Tao Of Sound, he has worked as a producer and programmer of commercial sound libraries,[21] and remixer for artists such as Kanye West,[22] Kitaro,[23] and The Ahn Trio.[24] Tao of Sound has released four albums under the record label Domo Records: Metro (2010) [25][26] Ronin- Extended Play (2012),[27][28] Ronin (2013),[29] and These Times (2016).[30]

Hirano is a columnist for Drum! magazine,[31][32][33] a contributor for Modern Drummer magazine[34][35] a drum clinician, and has served as an artist-in-residence at Carnegie Mellon University, as a teacher at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and as a guest lecturer at Loyola University New Orleans College of Music and Fine Arts and New York University Steinhardt. He is a regular visiting artist at Hugh Hodgson School of Music at University of Georgia, and an ongoing regular guest artist, speaker and panelist at his alma mater, Berklee College of Music.[36]

Hirano was listed in Modern Drummer 's Reader's Poll 2014, 2013, and 2012,[37][38][39] and Drum!'s Drummies awards 2015 Percussionist of the Year (runner up), 2015 Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop Percussionist (runner-up), 2013 Studio Percussionist (runner-up), 2013 Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop Percussionist (runner-up), 2012 Studio Percussionist (runner-up), 2012 World Percussionist (runner-up), 2011 Percussionist of the Year (runner-up), 2011 Studio Percussionist (runner-up), 2011 Jazz/Fusion Percussionist (runner-up), 2011 Live Performer (runner-up), 2011 Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year (runner-up), 2010 Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year, 2009 Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year, 2008 Percussionist of the Year (runner-up), 2008 Best Worldbeat Percussionist (runner-up), and 2007 Percussion Rising Star.[40]

In 2018 and 2019, Hirano toured with Fleetwood Mac on their An Evening with Fleetwood Mac World Tour. He also served as the percussionist in the house bands for the Fox television shows Showtime at the Apollo and The Four: Battle for Stardom.

Hirano endorses Meinl percussion instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Remo drum heads, Vater Percussion drum sticks, Drum Workshop drums and hardware, and Roland Corporation electronic percussion.

On July 16, 2021, Hirano released his debut single on Ropeadope Records, "Come And Get It" featuring jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold. On October 1, 2021, Hirano released his debut album "Blu York - Live in NYC" on Ropeadope Records, recorded live at the Nublu Club in New York City in 2020.[41]

Awards

  • ORIGIN Magazine – 100 Top Creatives (2015)
  • Modern Drummer Magazine Reader's Poll 2015 – Best Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Modern Drummer Magazine Reader's Poll 2013 – Best Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Modern Drummer Magazine Reader's Poll 2012 – Best Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2015 – Percussionist of the Year (Runner-up); Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2013 – Studio Percussionist (Runner-up); Rock/Pop/Hip-Hop Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2012 – Studio Percussionist (Runner-up); World Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2011 – Percussionist of the Year (Runner-up); Studio Percussionist (Runner-up); Jazz/Fusion Percussionist (Runner-up); Live Performer (Runner-up); Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2010 – Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2009 – Rock/Pop Percussionist of the Year
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2008 – Percussionist of the Year (Runner-up); Worldbeat Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Drum! Magazine Drummies 2007 – Percussion Rising Star of the Year; Rock/Pop Percussionist (Runner-up)
  • Louis Armstrong award
  • Musikmesse Frankfurt International Press Awards (M.I.P.A.) 2010 – Best Percussion Instrument Design: Meinl Percussion Taku Hirano Signature Handbale

Discography

As leader

With Tao Of Sound

Other artists/projects

Touring credits

Taku has been a percussionist on many tours since the late 1990s.[48]

ArtistTour NameDate
LeAnn Rimesthe story... so far Tour - North America TourJanuary 2023 - September 2023
LeAnn RimesJoy: The Holiday Show Tour - North America TourDecember 2022
LeAnn Rimesthe story... so far Tour - North America TourMay 2022 - September 2022
Jake ShimabukuroChristmas In Hawaii Tour - North America / Hawaiian islands TourNovember 2021 - December 2021
Fleetwood MacAn Evening with Fleetwood Mac - North America TourOctober 2019 - November 2019
Fleetwood MacAn Evening with Fleetwood Mac - Australia / New Zealand TourAugust 2019 - September 2019
Fleetwood MacAn Evening with Fleetwood Mac - Europe / UK TourJune 2019
Fleetwood MacAn Evening with Fleetwood Mac - North America TourSeptember 2018 - April 2019
Les NubiansUp Close & Personal Tour - North AmericaJune 2017 - July 2017
Dr. JohnLive Dates - North America; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalApril 2017 - December 2017
Bette MidlerDivine Intervention Tour - UKJuly 2015
Bette MidlerDivine Intervention Tour - North AmericaMay 2015 - June 2015
Iggy AzaleaThe New Classic Promo Dates and AppearancesNovember 2014
Cirque du SoleilMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - JapanJune 2013
John MayerBorn and Raised Promo; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalApril 2013 - May 2013
Cirque du SoleilMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - UKOctober 2012 – May 2013
Cirque du SoleilMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - MexicoAugust 2012 – September 2012
Cirque du SoleilMichael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - North AmericaOctober 2011 – August 2012
A.R. RahmanA. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - SingaporeMarch 2011
Josh GrobanIlluminations (Josh Groban album) Promo Dates and AppearancesOctober 2010 – February 2011
A.R. RahmanA. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - South AfricaNovember 2010
A.R. RahmanA. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - North AmericaSeptember 2010
Stevie NicksNorth American TourAugust 2010
A.R. RahmanA. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - UKJuly 2010
A.R. RahmanA. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - North AmericaJune 2010
ShakiraShe Wolf Promo Dates and AppearancesApril 2010
Hikaru UtadaUtada: In the Flesh 2010 U.S./U.K. TourJanuary 2010 – February 2010
Bette MidlerThe Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas ResidencyJanuary 2008 – January 2010
Stevie NicksCrystal Visions North America TourFebruary 2007 – March 2007
Lindsey BuckinghamUnder The Skin North America Tour; Live at the Bass Performance HallOctober 2006 – February 2007
Hikaru UtadaUtada United 2006 Japan TourJuly 2006 – August 2006
Stevie NicksGold Dust North America TourJune 2006 – August 2006
Stevie NicksTwo Voices North America Tour (with Don Henley)June 2006
GiorgiaUnplugged Session TourNovember 2005 – January 2006
Stevie NicksAustralia Tour; Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (Live recording with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra)February 2006 – March 2006
Bette MidlerFrom the Big Apple to the Big EasySeptember 2005
Bette MidlerKiss My Brass Australia TourApril 2005 – May 2005
Bette MidlerKiss My Brass North America TourSeptember 2004 – December 2004
Fleetwood MacSay You Will Tour - North AmericaMay 2004 – September 2004
Lionel RichieJust For You European Promo Dates and AppearancesMarch 2004
Fleetwood MacSay You Will Tour - AustraliaFebruary 2004 – March 2004
Fleetwood MacSay You Will Tour - EuropeNovember 2003 – December 2003
Fleetwood MacSay You Will Tour - North America; Fleetwood Mac: Live in BostonMay 2003 – October 2003
Fleetwood MacSay You Will Promo Dates and AppearancesFebruary 2003 – April 2003
Lionel RichiePromo Dates and AppearancesDecember 2002 – February 2002
LeAnn RimesPromo Dates and Appearances, Jingle BallDecember 2002
Hikaru UtadaJapan Promo Appearances, MTV UnpluggedJuly 2001
Lionel RichieRenaissance Europe TourApril 2001 – May 2001
Lionel RichieEuropean Tour; Montreux Jazz FestivalJuly 2000
Lionel RichieTina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour - EuropeJuly 2000
Lionel RichieTina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour - North AmericaMarch 2000 – June 2000
Whitney HoustonMy Love Is Your Love World Tour - EuropeAugust 1999 – November 1999
Whitney HoustonMy Love Is Your Love World Tour - North AmericaJune 1999 – July 1999
Isaac HayesPromo Dates and AppearancesOctober 1998 – April 1999
Kenny LattimoreSouth Africa TourJuly 1998
Kenny LattimoreFrom The Soul Of Man North America TourJune 1998
Jonathan ButlerDo You Love Me? Promo Dates and AppearancesOctober 1997 – April 1998
Puff DaddyNo Way Out Promo Dates and AppearancesAugust 1997
Kenny LattimoreFor You (Kenny Lattimore song) TourMay 1997 – September 1997
Tevin CampbellBack to the World Japan Tour; South Africa TourNovember – December 1996
Tevin CampbellBack to the World Promo Dates and AppearancesSeptember 1996

References

  1. "Taku Hirano '91". Hong Kong International School. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  2. "Taku Hirano | Berklee College of Music". Berklee.edu. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  3. "About Remo - News". Remo. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  4. Gordon, Bob (9 August 2019). "Fleetwood Mac: Australian tour opens with emotional first night". TheGuardian.com. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  5. "The Beat Goes On for Whitney Houston | Modern Drummer MagazineModern Drummer Magazine". Moderndrummer.com. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  6. "Taku Hirano on Tour with Bette Midler - MEINL Percussion : News". MEINL Percussion. 2015-04-29. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  7. "Taku Hirano to Re-join Stevie Nicks in May... One Night Only". Fleetwood Mac News. 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  8. "Rhythm Interviews". Steviemorrison.co.uk. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  9. "Buckingham Readies One Album, Finishing Another". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  10. "Performing on percussion with John Mayer: "Vultures" (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2013)". YouTube. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  11. "Mike Dolbear DRUMS | Interview With Taku Hirano". Mikedolbear.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  12. "A.R. RAHMAN JAI HO CONCERT : THE JOURNEY HOME WORLD TOUR" (PDF). Nassaucoliseum.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  13. "Taku Hirano Interview". J-Pop World. 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  14. "Taku Hirano | Grover Pro Percussion® - Found in the world's finest concert halls™". Groverpro.com. 2011-10-31. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
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  22. "Kanye West - Heartless(Tao of Sound Remix) №165324 - mp3 скачать бесплатно | Скачать бесплатно музыку, скачать mp3". MP3.cc. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
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