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Taku Hirano

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Taku Hirano
Birth nameTakuya Hirano
Born (1973-10-22) October 22, 1973 (age 51)
Osaka, Japan
Occupation(s)percussionist, record producer, recording artist
InstrumentPercussion
Years active1996–present
LabelsRopeadope Records
Websitetaku.ninja

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.

Biography

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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

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  • 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

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As leader

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With Tao Of Sound

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Other artists/projects

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Touring credits

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

Artist Tour Name Date
LeAnn Rimes the story... so far Tour - North America Tour January 2023 - September 2023
LeAnn Rimes Joy: The Holiday Show Tour - North America Tour December 2022
LeAnn Rimes the story... so far Tour - North America Tour May 2022 - September 2022
Jake Shimabukuro Christmas In Hawaii Tour - North America / Hawaiian islands Tour November 2021 - December 2021
Fleetwood Mac An Evening with Fleetwood Mac - North America Tour October 2019 - November 2019
Fleetwood Mac An Evening with Fleetwood Mac - Australia / New Zealand Tour August 2019 - September 2019
Fleetwood Mac An Evening with Fleetwood Mac - Europe / UK Tour June 2019
Fleetwood Mac An Evening with Fleetwood Mac - North America Tour September 2018 - April 2019
Les Nubians Up Close & Personal Tour - North America June 2017 - July 2017
Dr. John Live Dates - North America; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival April 2017 - December 2017
Bette Midler Divine Intervention Tour - UK July 2015
Bette Midler Divine Intervention Tour - North America May 2015 - June 2015
Iggy Azalea The New Classic Promo Dates and Appearances November 2014
Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - Japan June 2013
John Mayer Born and Raised Promo; New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival April 2013 - May 2013
Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - UK October 2012 – May 2013
Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - Mexico August 2012 – September 2012
Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour - North America October 2011 – August 2012
A.R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - Singapore March 2011
Josh Groban Illuminations (Josh Groban album) Promo Dates and Appearances October 2010 – February 2011
A.R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - South Africa November 2010
A.R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - North America September 2010
Stevie Nicks North American Tour August 2010
A.R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - UK July 2010
A.R. Rahman A. R. Rahman Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour - North America June 2010
Shakira She Wolf Promo Dates and Appearances April 2010
Hikaru Utada Utada: In the Flesh 2010 U.S./U.K. Tour January 2010 – February 2010
Bette Midler The Showgirl Must Go On Las Vegas Residency January 2008 – January 2010
Stevie Nicks Crystal Visions North America Tour February 2007 – March 2007
Lindsey Buckingham Under The Skin North America Tour; Live at the Bass Performance Hall October 2006 – February 2007
Hikaru Utada Utada United 2006 Japan Tour July 2006 – August 2006
Stevie Nicks Gold Dust North America Tour June 2006 – August 2006
Stevie Nicks Two Voices North America Tour (with Don Henley) June 2006
Giorgia Unplugged Session Tour November 2005 – January 2006
Stevie Nicks Australia Tour; Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks (Live recording with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra) February 2006 – March 2006
Bette Midler From the Big Apple to the Big Easy September 2005
Bette Midler Kiss My Brass Australia Tour April 2005 – May 2005
Bette Midler Kiss My Brass North America Tour September 2004 – December 2004
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will Tour - North America May 2004 – September 2004
Lionel Richie Just For You European Promo Dates and Appearances March 2004
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will Tour - Australia February 2004 – March 2004
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will Tour - Europe November 2003 – December 2003
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will Tour - North America; Fleetwood Mac: Live in Boston May 2003 – October 2003
Fleetwood Mac Say You Will Promo Dates and Appearances February 2003 – April 2003
Lionel Richie Promo Dates and Appearances December 2002 – February 2002
LeAnn Rimes Promo Dates and Appearances, Jingle Ball December 2002
Hikaru Utada Japan Promo Appearances, MTV Unplugged July 2001
Lionel Richie Renaissance Europe Tour April 2001 – May 2001
Lionel Richie European Tour; Montreux Jazz Festival July 2000
Lionel Richie Tina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour - Europe July 2000
Lionel Richie Tina Turner Twenty Four Seven Tour - North America March 2000 – June 2000
Whitney Houston My Love Is Your Love World Tour - Europe August 1999 – November 1999
Whitney Houston My Love Is Your Love World Tour - North America June 1999 – July 1999
Isaac Hayes Promo Dates and Appearances October 1998 – April 1999
Kenny Lattimore South Africa Tour July 1998
Kenny Lattimore From The Soul Of Man North America Tour June 1998
Jonathan Butler Do You Love Me? Promo Dates and Appearances October 1997 – April 1998
Puff Daddy No Way Out Promo Dates and Appearances August 1997
Kenny Lattimore For You (Kenny Lattimore song) Tour May 1997 – September 1997
Tevin Campbell Back to the World Japan Tour; South Africa Tour November – December 1996
Tevin Campbell Back to the World Promo Dates and Appearances September 1996
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References

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  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.
  15. ^ "Taku(Tao Of Sound) on Tour for "Michael Jackson The Immortal" | Domo Blog". Domomusicgroup.com. 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  16. ^ "Dr. Dre – 2001 [Credits] Lyrics". Genius. 1999-11-16. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  17. ^ "Dr. Dre News and Information, Lyrics, Pictures". Dr-dre.com. 1999-11-16. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  18. ^ "Taku Hirano Discography at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  19. ^ "Takuya "Taku" Hirano | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  20. ^ "Taku Hirano | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  21. ^ "Rare Grooves - An infusion of soul, R&B, smooth jazz, and some funk, all in Rare Grooves". Big Fish Audio. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  22. ^ "Kanye West - Heartless(Tao of Sound Remix) №165324 - mp3 скачать бесплатно | Скачать бесплатно музыку, скачать mp3". MP3.cc. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  23. ^ "Tao Of Sound - The Field (feat. Kitaro) from Metro". YouTube. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  24. ^ "Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac (Tao Of Sound Remix) - Ahn Trio Song Lyrics". Shazam. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  25. ^ "Metro - Tao of Sound | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  26. ^ "iTunes - Music - Metro by Tao of Sound". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-08-10. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  27. ^ "Ronin - Tao of Sound | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  28. ^ "iTunes - Music - Ronin - Extended Play - EP by Tao of Sound". Itunes.apple.com. 2012-12-18. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  29. ^ "iTunes - Music - Ronin by Tao of Sound". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-09-10. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  30. ^ "iTunes - Music - These Times by Tao of Sound". Itunes.apple.com. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2016-06-15.
  31. ^ Hirano, Taku. "Ideas For Acoustic/ Electronic Hybrid Setups - DRUM! Magazine - Play Better Faster". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  32. ^ Hirano, Taku. "Taku Hirano: Know Your Grooves - DRUM! Magazine - Play Better Faster". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  33. ^ Hirano, Taku. "Taku Hirano: Crispy Conga Tones - DRUM! Magazine - Play Better Faster". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  34. ^ "Percussionist Taku Hirano | Modern Drummer MagazineModern Drummer Magazine". Moderndrummer.com. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  35. ^ "Taku Hirano | Modern Drummer Magazine Modern Drummer Magazine". Moderndrummer.com. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  36. ^ "Zildjian Artists|Taku Hirano Artist Page". Zildjian.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  37. ^ "Modern Drummer 2014 Readers Poll". Zildjian.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  38. ^ "The Modern Drummer: Readers Poll - Modern Drummer : Md". Readperiodicals.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  39. ^ "MODERN DRUMMER 2012 READERS POLL Winners - Modern Drummer : MD". Readperiodicals.com. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  40. ^ "Artist Results - Drummies! Artist and Gear Awards". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
  41. ^ "NEW MUSIC | TAKU HIRANO". ropeadope.com. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  42. ^ "Blu York". www.moderniconrecordings.com. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Blu York". ropeadope.com. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  44. ^ "These Times". www.domomusicgroup.com. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  45. ^ "Ronin". allmusic.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  46. ^ "Ronin Extended Play". allmusic.com. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  47. ^ "Metro". allmusic.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  48. ^ "Taku Hirano - About". Facebook. Retrieved 2015-09-05.
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