Kelvin Underwood facts for kids

Kelvin Underwood was born on March 22, 1975. He is an American musician who plays the drum set and taiko. Taiko is the art of Japanese drumming.

When he was 19, Kelvin joined a Japanese taiko group called Ondekoza. Four years later, he came back to the United States. He wanted to become a professional drummer. Today, he is a member of On Ensemble, a taiko group in Los Angeles. He also works with many other artists. Kelvin lives in Ashland, Oregon with his two children.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Kelvin Underwood was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He was the youngest of six children. Some of his older brothers and sisters enjoyed music and art in school. But Kelvin is the only one who became a professional musician. His family always encouraged him to perform.

His father was in the United States Army. For three years, when Kelvin was in elementary school, his family lived in Munich, Germany. When he was nine, he danced to "Billie Jean" in his school's talent show. He was even filmed! Before he played music, Kelvin loved to dance. He was inspired by Michael Jackson and breakdancing.

Discovering Drums

Kelvin first got into drumming when his older brother gave him a toy drum set. At first, he wasn't very serious about playing music. Later, he watched MTV and started "air drumming." He used drumsticks given to him by a family friend. That's when he really "caught the drumming bug."

When Kelvin was 13, his brother and father bought him his first real drum set. He still plays it today! In high school, Kelvin taught himself how to play. He learned by watching music videos and listening to songs. He never had a private teacher. He joined an alternative rock band and his school's jazz band.

Journey into Taiko Drumming

First Experience with Taiko

In 1990, the Japanese taiko group Ondekoza started a tour around the United States. They began in New York City. While in North Carolina, the group performed at Kelvin's high school. This was Kelvin's first time seeing kumidaiko, which is ensemble taiko drumming.

After the show, the group let audience members try playing an okedo drum. Kelvin had never played taiko before. But he tried it, using rhythms he had seen and his drum set skills. The leader of Ondekoza, Tagayasu Den, was impressed. He invited Kelvin to play with the group at a festival in Fayetteville.

Joining a Japanese Group

At the festival, Kelvin played a drum on the group's parade float. He played whatever he wanted while the group played yatai-bayashi. This was his first taiko performance. Afterward, Den invited him to join the group and perform on stage.

Kelvin was still in high school and wanted to study music in college. So, he said no at first. But he stayed in touch with Ondekoza. He went to North Carolina A&T for a year. He wasn't happy with the music program there. So, he accepted Den's offer to move to Japan and join Ondekoza.

Life with Ondekoza

Kelvin's parents supported his decision. He met Ondekoza in New York City after their long tour. He started as a trainee, helping with drums and selling things. But Den quickly had Kelvin performing on stage. This was much faster than usual for new members.

Kelvin didn't have a formal teacher. He learned taiko by watching and listening to other players. He also learned some Japanese to get by. Living in Japan and with Ondekoza was a big change for 19-year-old Kelvin. He had to learn to live in a new country and adapt to their unique group lifestyle. He learned a lot about discipline and growing up.

Becoming a Featured Performer

Kelvin first joined Ondekoza hoping to learn for about six months. He didn't plan to stay for years. But he quickly learned their style and songs. He soon became a featured performer. He played in almost every piece, including odaiko and yatai bayashi, and often played solos.

He became a sort of "frontman" for the group. His picture appeared on posters. He also spoke for the group when they traveled to English-speaking countries. Between 1994 and 1998, Ondekoza traveled a lot. They visited Asia, Europe, and North America.

Moving On from Ondekoza

Kelvin never got the formal training he wanted when he joined Ondekoza. After four years, he wanted to improve his drumming skills. He wanted to keep playing the drum set and grow as an artist. He was great at the Ondekoza style of taiko. But he wanted to explore other ways of playing.

Ondekoza focused on strength and discipline. Kelvin wanted to try new things and experiment. So, in 1998, he and Den decided to go their separate ways.

Back in the United States

College and New Beginnings

After leaving Ondekoza, Kelvin went back to school. He went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. At Berklee, he found the formal education and chance to explore music that he had missed in Japan. He focused on the drum set and didn't play taiko much from 1999 to 2003. At that time, he thought he was "done with taiko."

While in Boston, Kelvin met his wife, Rosie Dunaway. After college, he didn't want to stay in Boston or go back to North Carolina. So, they moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. They settled in Berkeley, California. Kelvin found work playing in jazz, alternative rock, and jam bands. He enjoyed the music, but he felt something was missing. He missed the strong focus he found in Ondekoza.

Joining On Ensemble

In early 2004, Kelvin saw a performance by On Ensemble. This taiko group is based in Los Angeles. He was very impressed by their new and original style. He noticed how they used movement and melody. They used instruments not usually found in taiko music, like Koto and Tuvan throat singing.

Kelvin realized he could play taiko and explore his own musical ideas. He could grow as a musician and take taiko in new directions. At first, he didn't plan to join On Ensemble. But he later met group members Shoji Kameda and Kris Bergstrom. They knew about him from his time in Ondekoza and wanted to work with him.

For the next year, Kelvin traveled from the Bay Area to Los Angeles. He collaborated and performed with the group. At first, he only played drum set. But after another member left, Kelvin wanted to play more taiko. He slowly became a main member of the group, playing more instruments as new songs were created around his skills.

Life in Ashland

Kelvin and his wife thought about moving to Los Angeles to be closer to On Ensemble. But after their son, Blaise, was born, they decided to move to Rosie's hometown in Ashland, Oregon.

In Ashland, Kelvin has worked with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He performed as a drummer in their 2009, 2010, and 2012 seasons. He also works with other artists, like Ashland's Dancing People Company and the Southern Oregon University Percussion Ensemble. It's challenging to be part of On Ensemble from a distance. But Kelvin travels a lot between Ashland and Los Angeles for practice and tours. He is also developing his own music project called "Meidoko." It uses taiko and other instruments he has learned about.

Works

Discography

• “Songs For A ... In Winter” by Space Challenger (2021)
• “Fool’s Gold” (Single) by Space Challenger (2021)

Video

• Fujiyama, Ondekoza, 1997.
• NEIRO, On Ensemble, 2006.
• Live at the Cerritos Center, On Ensemble, 2007.