Taiwan's leading percussion ensemble, Ju Percussion (
Founded by one-time principal percussionist of the Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, Ju Tzong-ching (朱宗慶), the group consists of 11 musicians and one resident composer. The ensemble's innovative takes on traditional Chinese percussion and its ability to combine Oriental and Western instrumentation and drumming have gained the group worldwide recognition since it was established in 1986.
While the group performs an average of 100 concerts a year throughout Taiwan, the combo's repertoire always remains surprisingly fresh. Be it jazz, re-workings of classical Western or Chinese tunes, folk songs, popular music or music for children, Ju Percussion's creativity never ceases to delight its audiences.
For its latest production the group has taken it one step further and gone all out to both delight and amaze with a show that combines percussion with multi-media performances for the first time. Thrill Show is a far cry from the group's hugely popular classical recital oriented shows at the National Theatre and other such conventional venues.
"Although we've never stopped developing new ways in which to capture the original and distinctive essences of percussion our shows have been, and are mostly performed in traditional ways at conservative venues," said Ju.
Ju Percussion's Thrill Show (狂Fun部落) will premier at the Nankang 101 (台北南港101) at 7:30pm this evening. On Saturday and Sunday the group will perform a matinee at 2:30pm and evening performances will begin at 7:30pm. Nankang 101 is located at 71, Xingnan Rd., Nankang District, Taipei (台北市南港區興南路71號).
Tickets cost NT$500 or NT800 and are available from Acer Ticketing Outlets nationwide or direct from Ju Percussion's ticket office. Call (02) 2890 8616 for ticketing availability.
"Thrill Show is very different. Not only have we decided to perform at a less traditional venue but we've also branched out and incorporated multi-media aspects into the production."
Donned in gaudy customs and with the help of dance club-styled lighting techniques and illuminations, Thrill Show takes audiences on a colorful and pulsating percussion-loaded trip. The group's standard percussive beats are intermingled with doses of electronica and offbeat sound effects, all of which are accompanied by back drops of random and dreamlike projected imagery.
Adding even more originality to this thumping and colorful spectacle is Ju Percussion's employment of four huge drum kits, on which it performs a series of synchronized John Bonham-style drum solos. By far the most unique aspect of the show, though, is the group's utilization of a Volvo XC90, which appears on the stage, kicks into gear and, as if possessed by some demon driver, quite literally takes over and becomes part of the show.
"It's a performance that sees us combining projected images with electronic music, special effects and even a car," Ju continued. "I'm sure the show will give audiences a new perspective both on us and the way in which we can perform. It's our most unique productions to date.
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