boite home >> | welcome | info | artist list | events | search | join | login

Information/Bio:
ANDREW MACGREGOR, has played shakuhachi for about 25 years following intense interest in Aikido and also shiatsu. He first heard the sound of the shakuhachi on a 70’s 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 “There’s So Much More to Life then Sex & Money” 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.

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

Recently, Andrew’s 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, the Perth Festival and a smash success at the 2008 Sydney Festival.

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

An experienced performer, Andrew lives in Lilydale, Victoria. He teaches shakuhachi in and around Melbourne at Victorian College of the Arts and The University of Melbourne.


more info: http://www.shakuhachiflutes.com/