$10 / 7:30pm doors / 7:45 start

The Persistent Fools are excited to host two amazing Japanese musicians, composer Makoto Nomura and percussionist Takeo Niikura. Both are improvisers who love the power of community music, and are very excited to share music with the musicians they meet here. It is in that spirit that we perform together. It doesn’t matter that Takeo, who has Down’s Syndrome, doesn’t share our spoken language, because Music is his language. As we play improvised music together, you will see what we mean.

Takeo Niikura has always loved music, and socially interacts with people through the power of music. Having attempted several instruments through his development, Takeo had found a love for African drumming. He got noticed for his African drum performances and began giving concerts in 1998. In 2008 he achieved his long-held dream of visiting Senegal, the home of African drums. Takeo’s enthusiasm for music is inspirational, and his journey unforgettable.

Makoto Nomura, born in Nagoya in 1968, is one of the most active Japanese composers. He has worked not only in the field of music but also in the fields of visual art, performing arts, community arts, and whatever he likes. His works are also diverse, such as concert music, exhibition, site-specific project, theater piece, historical research, etc. He loves collaborations and has collaborated with animals, children, dancers and even vegetables. He is the director of creative participation for Japan Century Symphony Orchestra, the director of Senju Pun-filled Music Festival, and co-founder of Japan Association of Composers for Sumo Hearing Arts. His works have been performed by many orchestras and musicians across the globe. He is also known as a pioneer of melodica performance.