Relaxing, uplifting and meditative sound of the Zen Shakuhachi with keyboards, harmonic singing, cello, clarinets.

4 MP3 Songs in this album (64:27) !
Related styles: WORLD: Japanese traditional, NEW AGE: Ambient

People who are interested in Riley Lee Yokoyama Katsuya Tajima Tadashi should consider this download.


Details:
ANDREW MACGREGOR, has played shakuhachi since the late 70's following intense interest in Aikido and also shiatsu. He first heard the sound of the shakuhachi on a 70âs rock and roll recording by Leon Russell, and was captivated by its strong sound and the depth of feeling it conveyed. Andrew became passionately interested in the music handed down through the Zen Buddhist tradition. In 1993 Andrew changed the course of his life and travelled to Japan where he spent an intensive study period. This brief passage from his life is described in the book âThereâs So Much More to Life then Sex & Moneyâ by Sue Calwell and Daniel Johnson.

He recorded "Nesting of the Cranes", traditional duets for shakuhachi, with Riley Lee in 1994 and "Music for Guitar & Shakuhachi - Album One" with classical guitarist Marion Schaap in 1998. "Four Shakuhachi Mediations" released in 1999 combines the power of Zen meditations with instruments such as clarinet, cello, harmonic singing, voice, keyboards and textures.

Andrewâs 2001 CD release, "Ren-Men", is collaboration with award winning koto player Miho Yamaji from Okayama, Japan. The CD âMizuhoâ released in 2003 sees the shakuhachi taken firmly into the realm of classical music. Andrewâs shakuhachi is combined with 21 string koto player Haruko Watanabe from Shikoku, Japan.

Recently, Andrewâs shakuhachi has been heard in the new composition Becoming by award winning composer Johanna Selleck and as part of the Pitjantjatjara theatre Ngapartji Ngapartji a sell out hit at the Melbourne International Arts Festival, just completed a season at the Perth Festival and in June this year will be at the Sydney Opera House.

Andrew MacGregor was selected to appear in the finals of the 2003 all-Japan National Music (Hõgaku) Competition (for Traditional instruments).

An experienced international performer, Andrew lives in Lilydale, Victoria. He teaches shakuhachi in and around Melbourne.