Name:

Reo KITABAYASHI

Date of Birth:

June 29, 1994

Birthplace:

Yokohama, Kanagawa

Profile

Reo Kitabayashi began playing taiko during his fourth year at elementary school. He entered the Kodo Apprentice Centre in 2013 and became a Kodo member in 2016. On stage, Kitabayashi is mainly featured on taiko drums. Kitabayashi is a determined, genuine performer who is known for his beaming smile. For Kodo’s 40th anniversary, the ensemble created two works based on its name: “Tsuzumi” (2020) took its name and theme from the drum character, and “Warabe” (2021) from the child element. In Tsuzumi, Kitabayashi appeared center stage as a soloist in Dyu-Ha and Zoku—both coveted positions that were double-cast with Mizuki Yoneyama. In Warabe, he performed a solo piece on katsugi okedo daiko, a barrel taiko drum carried on a shoulder strap. Kitabayashi plays a wide range of taiko sizes and styles with dexterity and grace, from the base rhythm played on the back of the mighty o-daiko to support the soloist to portable drums and taiko kits.

Photo Gallery