The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Toyota may be one of the world’s leading car brands but, in Japan, it is one of the country’s most popular surnames. Kozo Toyota is a talented flute-player and founder of the Toyota Ceílí Band in Tokyo. The band was founded in June 2011, in response to an increasing demand for regular céilís in Japan. The band is the first céilí band comprised of Japanese musicians, who host these dances on a regular basis. The members are keen to explore the best way to play for set dancing and have also learned to dance some sets themselves. In September 2015, they won the first prize for the unofficial céilí band competition, organised by Comhaltas Japan. In June of this year, they were awarded first place in the céilí band category of the competitions during the first Féile Tokyo and qualified to enter Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis. The nine members of the band play a range of instruments, including two flutes, three fiddles, button accordion, …
Read More »