Since 1997 Taikoz has developed an international reputation for vibrant performances that couple explosive energy and extreme dynamism with refinement and grace. From the most delicate melodies of the shakuhachi to the thunderous impact of the odaiko, Taikoz is at once meditative and free-spirited, primal and dramatic.

Taikoz perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, as well having performed in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide including in Japan, Paris, Bangkok, Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, The USA where Taikoz gave a series of performances on the West Coast, culminating in headline appearances in the Taiko Nation concerts at the 2014 World Taiko Gathering in Los Angeles and most recently India, where Taikoz presented Chi Udaka, their collaboration with Lingalayam Dance Company, to critical acclaim.

The group regularly appears in the theatres of regional Australia, having undertaken eight Australia-wide tours. Taikoz has composed over thirty original works for wadaiko including several in combination with instruments such as shakuhachi, koto, marimba, saxophone, cello, drum set and didgeridoo. Distinguished composers Lachlan Skipworth, Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino, Michael Askill, David Pye, Graeme Koehne and Timothy Constable have also written works for the ensemble.

Taikoz has collaborated with artists and companies as diverse as John Bell and the Bell Shakespeare Company, taiko greats Yoshikazu Fujimoto and Yoko Fujimoto, Eitetsu Hayashi, Chieko Kojima, Kenny Endo and Kaoru Watanabe, as well as distinguished choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. In 2012, Taikoz collaborated with Kodo on a nation-wide tour of Australia. The group has also appeared in concerto works with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. In February 2018, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a newly commissioned work by Lachlan Skipworth called The Breath Of Thunder.

In 2016, Co-founders Ian Cleworth and Riley Leewere individually awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for contribution towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan.

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A brief overview of Taikoz' history:

• Over thirty original works by ensemble members for taiko, often featuring such instruments as shakuhachi, shinobue, nohkan, koto, voice, percussion, marimba, drum set, saxophone, guitar and didgeridoo
• New works for taiko and other instruments by composers Lachlan Skipworth, Sandy Evans, Michael Askill, Gerard Brophy, Timothy Constable, Graeme Koehne, Andrea Molino, David Pye, Philip South

Major collaborations:

• Phoenix (Judith Nielson Foundation) in Toward The Rain (short film) (2019)
• Lachlan Skipworth in The Breath Of Thunder with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee & Kaoru Watanabe (2018)
• Chieko Kojima in The Beauty Of 8 (2015, 2017, 2019)
• Sandy Evans in Sky, Let The Rain Fall in 20: Land, Sea, Sky, Home (2017)
• Anandavalli and Lingalayam in Chi Udaka | Sydney Festival, 2014 (World Premiere Work), Australia and India (2016), Melbourne (2020)
• Kaoru Watanabe in Future Directions (2014)
• Satsuki Odamura in Crimson Sky (2014, 2013, 2012)
• Kodo in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert Australian Tour (2012)
• 150 taiko players, drummers and percussionists in Fireworks | Sydney Festival First Night (2010)
• John Bell and The Bell Shakespeare Company in William Shakespeare's Pericles (2009)
• Senior members of Kodo Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Yoko Fujimoto, Motofumi Yamaguchi and Eiichi Saito in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert (2009)
• Director and choreographer Meryl Tankard in Kaidan: A Ghost Story –  a dance, music, theatre work | Sydney Festival at the Sydney Opera House (2007) (World Premiere Work)
• Eitetsu Hayashi and Fuun no Kai in Australia and Japan (2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008)
• Wadaiko Matsumura-gumi in Australia and Japan (2004, 2005)

International performances:

• Chi Udaka, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Mumbai (2016)
• Womad, New Plymouth, New Zealand (2015)
• World Taiko Gathering, Los Angeles USA (2014)
• Abu Dhabi, UAE (2013)
• Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan, Taiwan (2011)
• Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri, Japan (2010)
• National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo, Japan (2008)
• Winners, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2006)
• Hibike Festival, Echizen, Japan (2005)
• Bangkok International Music Festival, Thailand (2004)
• Kaikyōsai Festival, Kobe, Japan (2001)

Performances with orchestra:

• The Breath Of Thunder by Lachlan Skipworth with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Solonga (2018)
• Mono-Prism by Maki Ishii with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and conductors Hiroyuki Iwaki, Ryusuke Numajiri and David Porcilijn (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2009, 2010)
• Book Of Clouds by Gerard Brophy with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi and Synergy Percussion conducted by Tadaaki Otaka (2008) (World Premiere Work)
• Winners by Andrea Molino and the Queensland Symphony at the Brisbane Festival, and Dresden Sinfoniker at the Pompidou Centre, Paris, conducted by the composer (2006) (World Premiere Work)

Major tours of regional Australia:

• The Beauty Of 8 (2019)
• Taikoz 4-tet Live! (2019)
• Chi Udaka (2016)
• Crimson Sky (2014)
• Shifting Sand (2012)
• Blessings Of The Earth (2010)
• The Gathering (2008)
• Da Ha-Pounding Wave (2006)

 Awards: 

• Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for contribution towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan – Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee (2016)
• Limelight ‘Best New Composition Award’ for Kaidan (2007)
• Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in recognition of TaikOz's commitment to Australian music (2006)
• Drover Award for regional touring and education (2005)