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Performance Reviews:

"ON Ensemble just simply tore up the second half of the show. This is one of the most innovative and musically fresh groups ever to take the stage in the big hall (Cerrios Center for the Performing Arts) ... The risky and totally avant-garde combining of turntable, western drum kit and taiko on “Turns” actually made for beautiful sounds and Shoji Kameda’s powerful throat singing on “After Rain” just expanded the now riveted audience’s musical consciousness. This is a very talented and unique group with the guts to take a centuries old art form to another level."
Glen Creason, CerritosInk - Review of SYTE/ON TAIKOX2
March 5, 2007

"Their work combines 21st century experimental sound with centuries-old Noh and Kabuki music... With the combination of ancient drum rhythm and the scratching on a turntable, the piece was a mix of old and new that took one from a primeval place to a contemporary dance floor. The combination was a great mix, technically precise, and the unique sound was delightful to hear."
Brenda Knepper, AllAboutJazz
October 19, 2005

CD Reviews for "Dust and Sand":

"Using traditional taiko (Japanese drum) music as a springboard for their contemporary world fusion mix, On Ensemble beautifully combines folk, jazz and rock into a tightly-woven fabric making full use of acoustic potential before adding tasteful electronic colors. Their music has a calm and meditative center about it- there is a steadiness, a wholesome, humble beauty that journeys inward for more variety as opposed to adding on ideas from the outside. Featuring both instrumental tracks and those with vocals, their innovative vocabulary bends and refreshes the imagination."
CD Baby August 1, 2005

"On Ensemble is an exciting taiko ensemble looking at new ways to apply traditional Japanese drums... Be it English lyrics, throat singing, melodically rhythmic koto passages, traditional flutes, or electronic manipulation, the exciting range of taiko drums solidly supports the pieces. From the deep tones of the largest taiko to the intricate patterns of the shime daiko the compositions are interesting with plenty of exciting drumming."
Martin Patmos, Modern Drummer Magazine
April 2006

"With their latest release, Dust and Sand, On Ensemble propel the art form into mesmerizing territory with a swirling amalgamation of flutes, koto, turntables, and Tuvan throat singing astride propulsive poly-rhythmic drum patterns. The result is an album that is completely original and brilliantly conceived..."
Brian Moore, TransformOnline
November 2005

"The self-produced Dust and Sand by the young Japanese drum group On Ensemble is an inventive, surprising recording. Incorporating Japanese flute, Tuvan throat singing, koto, and a variety of percussion instruments, the group finds endless ways to accompany their taiko, the drum core of On Ensemble’s sound... Getting lost in the rhythms of Dust and Sand is easy and enticing. If you play the album on your store stereo, customers will ask you about this unusual, innovative Eastern music."
Mara Applebaum, New Age Retailer Magazine
Spring 2006 Issue

"Their music incorporates the explosive drama of Japanese taiko drums, dazzling percussion, bristling electronics and World music themes. There are a number of surprising interpretive vocals on the album that keeps the music fresh and exciting... assures a standing ovation (at least from me) for the group."
RJ Lannan, New Age Reporter
December 30, 2005

Presenter Quotes:

"... it is my pleasure to recommend the On Ensemble's work to music presenters and festivals that you might approach for future collaboration and presentation. The project that we presented was extraordinary from start to finish... Congratulations, thanks again, and I highly recommend your work to those interested in hybrid New Music projects and Taiko drumming."
Richard Simas, Artistic Director
Theatre La Chapelle, Montreal, Canada

"On Ensemble's performances for the Music Center were a grand success! I wholeheartedly recommend the work of this exciting company an look forward to bringing them back for a return engagement."
Barbara Leonard, Artistic Dirctor
Music Center Education, Los Angeles, CA

"Students and teachers alike were energized by your outstanding presentation of traditional taiko drumming interwoven with world music sounds. Their enthusiasm carried over to a full audience turnout for our public performance. So many of our students brought their families to see and hear you again. This is the ultimate compliment to your wholehearted effort for our school assemblies."
Terry Yagura, Executive Director
Arts for the Schools, Tahoe Vista, CA

"... a young, Taiko-rooted ensemble that has gained considerable recognition through its work in our local Japanese-American community. For anyone considering presenting this ensemble, we can recommend them highly. They were very professional in their dealings with our promotion and production staff, were pleasant to work with during the performance and, most important, gave us a great show."
Michael Alexander, Executive/Artistic Director,
Grand Performances, Los Angeles, CA

"The standing ovations at the end of the finales together were truly well earned and reflected the visceral excitement that your work generated from the audiences. Your performance was truly a powerful vision of the future potential of taiko and you are four of the most talented young taiko performers in North America."
Rick Shiomi, Artistic Director Theater Mu, Minneapolis MN

"On Ensemble is an amazing group of artists who are performing some of the most innovative taiko compositions today."
Johnny Mori, Producing Director for Performing Arts
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, Los Angeles CA