Eric Paton
Assistant Professor
Department
- Music
Contact Information
- 614-236-6373
- epaton@capital.edu
- Conservatory Complex 6
Biography
World percussionist drawn to the intersection of movement and music, Eric Paton has accompanied Afro Caribbean, Haitian, Dunham and Ailey classes for April Berry and performed with Aretha Franklin, Tito Puente Jr., Sir Roland Hannah, Bobby Shew, Carmen Cavallaro, Mojoflo, Wande African Dance Company of Liberia, Waves de Aché, Milano La Scala (Italian National Opera – La Boheme - Japan Tour), and Eitetsu Hayashi.
In college, Eric was reintroduced to taiko by his twin brother Stuart (founder of Burlington Taiko). Subsequently Eric received a commission from Ballet Metropolitan to compose a 25-minute jazz ballet, including a kumi daiko (group taiko) inspired overture. In 2004, Eric began his study with Eitetsu Hayashi and Fuun No Kai members during the Eitetsu Hayashi International Ohio Taiko Project (Ohio and Dublin Arts Councils) at Capital University. Taiko continues to be an important facet of his performance.
Paton has presented for PASIC, MENC and Remo Inc, International Kodaly Conference, International Jazz Education Association, Ballet Metropolitan, Opera Columbus, Jazz Arts Group, CSO, Arts Midwest, numerous universities and festivals. He served on the PASIC World Planning Committee and hosted the OAC Eitetsu Hayashi Fu-un No Kai - Ohio Taiko Project (with extensive support from Dublin Arts Council) at Capital University in the World Music Lab.
Paton received instruction from Matsui sensei, Kuroda sensei, Inomata Takeshi R.C.C., Bob Breithaupt, Leonard Moses, Phil Shipley, John Amira, Stuart Paton, E. Kaikpai Paasewe, Richie Cajate Garcia, Fermin Nani – Escuela Nacional de Arte Havana, Cuba, Michael Spiro, Adetobi Onile Funso, Raymon Sylla, Ralph Irizarri, Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Eitetsu Hayashi, Alejandro Cavajal Guerra, Joseph Van Hassel and Roger Braun.
He studied in Cuba, Jamaica and Japan, is founder of Hiuchi Taiko, Sambateria, KataBomba Drummers, and directs Yumbambé Salsa Jazz.
A member of the Ohio Teaching Artist Roster, Paton has shared Taiko with 30,000+ K-12 students.