Free listening

Hi J.

I like the nontraditional direction you are taking in these recordings. I especially liked, Unspoken Meeting and Chimes & Shakuhachi because they are alternate takes on the manner in which one plays the shakuhachi. Or perhaps it would be better to say, "flavors the shakuhachi"? After all, it's voice is magical no matter what the score.

Your tone is awesome and I enjoy your creative interpretation of this majestic instrument. You sound like you've definitely had some formal training, to say the very least, but your approach is fresh, unique and most inspiring. My overall favorite was 04 honshirabe yelapa but no surprise there, as I'm a big fan of the traditional sounds and compositions of the Japanese bamboo flute. Thanks so much for sharing your fascinating art!!!

Sincerely, Jon

Thank you Jon! Yes, I've been playing for over thirty years and lived in Japan for three, but at this point I don't subscribe to any school. I'll be posting more Honkyoku, but I just uploaded a couple of more pieces that you may enjoy too. If you click on the song you get to see the short explanations. Some of these are part of documentary soundtracks I've done over the years.

Wow... I really like the lively quality of Madly riding the heavenly horse. This one highlights your technical dexterity quite well. Nice subtle touches, throughout. Even some peppery staccato which almost suggests a touch of Rahsaan Roland Kirk in the wind?

I guess my favorite tune of them all is Improvisation in the jungle (Mexico). This one took me away, as in totally GONE (which is a good thing). You express a very clear, clean Zen vibe in this lovely piece, J. Danza. Very empty and quite serene. Your tone is feathery light, yet deep as the mystery which eternally surrounds us. It makes me feel like I am melting into the formless insubstantiality of the void, from which all of existence is birthed. Thanks again, for sharing your musical gift.

Wow Jon... you must be a poet Very much appreciated and quotable feedback. I'm glad you enjoyed! Soon I'll get a paid account in Soundcloud so I can make some of these downloadable.
Keep in touch...

Hey Jon (and friends)... I made the "Improv. in the Jungle" track downloadable. I'm pretty new at this so let me know if it doesn't work.

The download worked for me. Those tracks are great! Are there any other musicians involved or are you playing all the instruments? Thanks for these, they make for very good listening.

A lot of the tracks is me on all instruments, but if you want more information about it or want to leave a comment just click on the title track and it takes you to the track page.
I'll keep posting downloadable tracks every two weeks or so...

Hi J thanks for posting on my site its great to hear your'e music your more than welcome to put all your'e tracks it would be nice to build it up a bit. I make my music with a home made
shakuhachi it dosn't play second register very well yet anyway but have a listen it's a bit experimental

by the way you make your'e tracks downloadable in the licensing options

[Flash unavailable] <span>improv yelapa 2 by jdanza</span>

A little improv. in the Mexican jungle I just added to the Soundcloud page... the flute is a 2.4 David Brown, my favorite traveling flute...

lovely sound three registers by the sound of it am I right in thinking David Brown builds hardwood flutes

Yes Andy... his flutes are very beautiful and wonderful quality. It lacks the "wild" quality of the jinashi I love to play, but it makes up with an incredible ease of playability, sweetness and fullness of tone. It's my main travel flute, but depending on the character of the piece, I have chosen it for performance often.

Beautiful flow...

A very lovely and powerful expression of the human soul's journey, through the dynamic of natural spontaneity and the endless possibilities that lay within the eternal moment. The shakuhachi is such a lovely vehicle for this very kind of music. Kudos for such a creative exploration of that magic, which is the fusion of human wind and flute (be it: bamboo, bone, wood, ceramic or silver).