Philip Gelb

by ryokan. ~ Bruno DeschenesPhilip Gelb is one of a handful of shakuhachi players focusing on new music. He has studied shakuhachi with Kurahashi Yoshio, Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin, and Dale Olsen Bai-o. He has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Japan as a soloist and in various ensembles, premiering numerous new works for shakuhachi solo and in varied ensembles. His recordings have been released on Deep Listening, Leo, Sparkling Beatnik, New World/Countercurrents, 482music, Ryokan, Abray, Cultural Labyrinth, and Limited Sedition. He has received awards from the Florida Arts Council, Meet the Composer, and the Knight Rider Foundation. His current projects include the Space Between with Pauline Oliveros and Dana Reason, duets with interactive computer composer Chris Brown, Trio Natto with koto master Shoko Hikage and electronic musician Tim Perkis, collaborations with dancer Eri Majima, and Trio Alphaville with saxophonists Jon Raskin and Phillip Greenlief. In addition, he has an active freelance career including several guest soloist appearances with the Seattle Creative Orchestra. He holds a bachelor's in anthropology from the University of Florida and attended graduate studies in ethnomusicology at the Florida State University School of Music. He currently lives and teaches in the Bay Area and maintains a web page at www.value.net/