NATC 2025 Phoenix

Jon Whitsell was fortunate to come from a family who always supported music. While the rest of his family sing in barbershop quartets or church choirs, Jon found his sacred space in basement and garage bands. He usually does the grabbing, but, taiko grabbed him years ago. Interested in groove, composition, and gear, and gear, and gear. I have always given credence to beginner’s mind. But, as a new grandparent, I have witnessed that joy and laughter are our first emotions to be expressed. If Labor Day is not removed as a federal holiday, I will be giving up time-and-a-half pay at Origami in the Garden to attend 2025 NATC. As of this writing, the last podcast I produced is about the Truth, Restoration and Education Commission’s Historic Loss Assessment Report which quantifies Colorado’s $1.17 trillion land theft from Native Nations displaced by US expansionism.You can talk to me about my AFIB journey and the Wolf Procedure. When asked if Torii Taiko performs house blessings, the answer is, "Yes!"