Mayumi Shara adds Taiko drumming to New Orleans’ rhythms

Once she was playing with top bands in Japan, she decided to move to the United States for more opportunities. She first went to New York City, where she has friends. After listening to a lot of live jazz, she decided to visit New Orleans in 1998.

“It was totally different!” she exclaimed. “I liked the groove, and realized this is the place where I wanted to be.”

Although she didn’t know anyone in New Orleans, she had rented a room from a woman who introduced her to piano player Mari Watanabe.