nspired by the natural beauty of their home on remote Sado Island in the Sea of Japan, the ensemble Kodo has both preserved and re-interpreted the rhythms of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, for three decades. The ancient instrument, with a primal sound said to resemble a mother's heartbeat as felt in the womb, is the keystone of Kodo's virtuoso drum, vocal and dance performances, which also feature a showstopping giant drum - the nearly 900-pound o-daiko.

>> Kodo performs at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St. $39-$49. (480) 994-2787 or scottsdaleperformingarts.org.