Nickname: “Kiwi”, “Pineapple”, or other fruits or edible things
Instrument Played: Alto Sax
Other Instruments Played: Piano, drums
Years played: 6
Age: 15
Favorite Word: hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliaphobia: Fear of long words
Present School: La Jolla High School
Hobbies: Latin Language, the Internet, quantum physics and all things epic. “Music is not a hobby, it is life”
Future plans: “Not entirely sure, though they involve a relatively good college and music in some form.”
Favorite Music, groups, composers, artists: Cannonball Adderley, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Joe Hisaishi, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Oscar Peterson, Michel Petrucciani, Hiromi Uehara.
Astrological sign: Leo

When asked what he likes about big band, Taiki says its the sheer energy and intensity that you get from 17 people unified in a single musical thought, and yet in a way that allows self-expression to each one. He plans to go to Carnegie Mellon or Stanford after graduation. Taiki enjoys associating with the “geek” culture, but feels he walks a strange line because of his involvement in and dedication to music. Taiki also loves witnessing or participating in anything that can remotely labeled “epic”, though as to what constitutes “Epic ness” he is not sure. “I don’t like participating in anything that doesn’t excite me” Taiki thanks his band director in middle school, Mr. Philip Marcus, for helping him realize that it is more fun to make good music than it is to spend all his time screwing around.

Taiki’s advice to another young musician just starting out is: “Practice with, listen to, and play music with as may people as you possibly can. Feel the music in your soul! (Somewhat cliché, but useful advice none the less!)

“Without music, life would be a mistake” Friedrich Nietzsche.

This young artist is creative and thoughtful. Watch for him to grow with the Jazz Ensemble and make his name known in all things musical.

Taiki Kim Alto Sax

Taiki Kim
Alto Sax