Leonard Eto - 2026
We are delighted to announce that on October 10th 2026 Leonard Eto is going to be joining us with Iori Tadokoro to perform their latest show “Cheetaland”.
Leonard will also be leading workshops on Sunday 11th October for you to get involved in and learn from this inspirational musician.
Leonard Eto is one of the most accomplished and innovative contemporary taiko players, whose vision and creativity have deeply influenced the way taiko is performed and viewed in the world today. The distinctive hallmarks of his playing are the fluidity and luminous, dance-like quality; the coexistence of power and effortlessness, and the immense joy expressed in his music and performance. In 1984, Leonard joined the Japanese taiko drum group Kodo and soon became the principal player, organizer, musical director and composer. In 1992, Leonard left Kodo to pursue a solo career. His collaborative activities include working with Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, The Chieftains, INXS, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Roger Taylor from Queen, as well as world music artists and travelling to perform in over 55 countries. His original compositions have been featured in films such as The Lion King, JFK and The Hunted.
Iori Tadokoro is one of the few dancers who can fuse the aesthetic sense of Japanese drumming with the expression of ballet. Iori Tadokoro studied abroad in France under Daini Kudo for a period of time, performing in the production starring Marie-Claude Pietragalla. She is a main cast member of Leonard Eto's "Kemono Michi" and also featured in the tours of Italy, Germany and Belgium.
Cheetaland
Leonard Eto, one of the world's most accomplished and innovative contemporary taiko players and ex Artistic Director of Kodo drummers, returns to the UK with "Cheetaland". This follows the tour of his internationally award-winning collaboration "Kemono Michi" with classically trained ballerina lori Tadokoro in their performance fusing the tranquility and power of the forest with the uniquely Japanese aesthetic concept of "Ma" (negative space).
As well as a path trodden by animals in the wild, “Kemono Michi” means to choose a different way of life. From "Kemono Michi," a work born from the forest experience that forms the concept of the piece, a new imaginative world called "Cheetaland" is born.
Let the sound of the Japanese drums lead you on a new journey.
Cheetaland has been made possible thanks to funding from the Japan Foundation.
Supporting acts will be Yamabiko from Leicester Taiko, and Konjaku Daiko from Taiko West.
Yamabiko is Leicester Taiko’s small but elite performance group, focusing on providing varied and dynamic performances. Fresh from their recent stage shows, they are incredibly excited to be sharing the stage with Leonard and Iori.
As the performing group of Taiko West, Konjaku Daiko have developed a repertoire that balances traditional and modern Taiko music. Regularly incorporating bamboo flute and other authentic Japanese instruments, time-honoured repertoire from Hiroshima is performed alongside fresh compositions to create a unique Taiko experience.
Workshops
Kemono Michi Workshop
11th October, 13:30-16:30
£40
“Kemono Michi means a path made by wild animals, but it can also be used metaphorically to mean a way of living that is different from the peaceful life of ordinary people. Technique, theory and harmony are very important in music, but trusting ones sensibilities and intuition is even more important. The aim of this workshop is to help you bring that intuition and sensibility into your ensemble playing” - Leonard Eto
This workshop will be played in our usual upright style.
Katsugi Technique
11th October, 17:00-19:00
£30
Katsugi is a style of drumming that requires carrying the drum over one shoulder whilst playing. Leonard Eto is one of the primary innovators and developers of this style of drumming. The content of this workshop will be to give you an understanding of katsugi technique and how to control the drum to become one with it.
If you are able to bring your own katsugi okedo, please let us know as that may allow for more people to take part in the workshop.
Booking for the workshops will go live at 19:00 on September 14th
This occasion has been organised in collaboration between
