Taku Hirano Update

Taku Hirano recently performed on percussion for the final tapings of the Oprah Winfrey, held  in Chicago at the United Center in front of an audience of 15,000 people (airdate: May 23 and 24, 2011). With the house band, Taku backed up Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Patti Labelle, Usher, Jamie Foxx, Josh Groban, Kristen Chenoweth, and a comedy number by television personalities, Rosie O'Donnell, Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, and Nate Berkus.

Other guests included Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Jordan, Madonna, Halle Berry, Dakota Fanning, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Dr. Maya Angelou, Rascal Flatts, Dianne Sawyer, and Maria Shriver.

Taku also recently performed at the Modern Drummer Festival 2011, as a special guest to drum clinician Trevor Lawrence (Herbie Hancock).