Philip Gelb

I am a shakuhachi player and teacher and a vegan chef.



Although i play a very old instrument from Japan, i tend to focus on modern music; improvised and composed; collaborating with many composers and performers to premier numerous works. As much as i enjoy studying (and teaching) honkyoku, the traditional music for shakuhachi, i am very interested in working with composers and improvisors, bringing the instrument into the immediate, contemporary world. I perform in a variety of contexts from solo concerts to concertos for shakuhachi and orchestra and have collaborated with numerous dancers; Eri Majima, June Watanabe, Anna Halprin and Koichi Tamano.



Some of my favorite musicians to perform with are: Jie Ma, Tim Perkis, Chris Brown, Shoko Hikage, Alex Cline, Jane Rigler, Dana Reason, Pauline Oliveros, Gino Robair, Tetsu Saitoh .



Freelancing in various collaborations in numerous genres is something i greatly enjoy!

Some ensembles i play with:



Natto Quartet: w/ Shoko Hikage - koto, Tim Perkis - computer, Chris Brown - piano.

We have played together since 2002 and have released 2 CDs, "headlands" and "Thousand Oaks", both of which recieved rave reviews.

a trio with Alex Cline - percussion and Dana Reason - piano



Recently started a duet project with pipa player, Jie Ma



Besides teaching at my home in Oakland, i am on the performance faculty at Mills College and at the Lark Music Camp. And i prepare food everywhere i go :)



http://philipgelb.com phil@philipgelb.com



Meridian Gallery



duet with Jie Ma (pipa), March 2008