Meet the Artists Behind Roots & Rhythm

John Kaizan Neptune

A pioneering shakuhachi master whose work has redefined the possibilities of the traditional Japanese bamboo flute for over five decades.

Born in Southern California and later initiated into the Tozan tradition in Japan, Kaizan became the first non-Japanese artist to receive Japan’s prestigious Album of the Year award from the Ministry of Education for Bamboo — a landmark recording that helped bring the shakuhachi into contemporary and global musical dialogue.

Across a career spanning more than 24 albums, his music has moved fluidly between Japanese tradition, Indian classical music, jazz, and world fusion, while always remaining deeply rooted in the meditative spirit of the shakuhachi.

For Roots & Rhythm, he is joined by longtime collaborator Giridhar Udupa in a rare encounter between Japanese melody and South Indian rhythm.

In 2019, his son David Neptune dedicated the documentary Words Can’t Go There to his life and artistic journey.

Ghatam Giridhar Udupa

Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading ghatam players, Giridhar Udupa has spent decades expanding the reach of South Indian classical percussion across continents and musical traditions.

Born into a musical family in Karnataka, India, he began performing at the age of four and has since appeared on stages including Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, the Kennedy Center, and the United Nations.

Deeply rooted in Carnatic tradition while open to jazz, fusion, and contemporary experimentation, Udupa has collaborated with artists such as Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.

For Roots & Rhythm, he joins John Kaizan Neptune in a rare dialogue between rhythm and breath, tradition and improvisation.

More about Udupa

Roots & Rhythm

For the first time on North American soil, John Kaizan Neptune and Giridhar Udupa reunite after more than two decades of musical collaboration and friendship.

Joined by percussionist David Neptune, guitarist Christophe Ambrosino, and bassist Spencer Hinkle, the quintet brings together original compositions inspired by Japanese melodies, South Indian rhythm, jazz improvisation, and musical influences from around the world.

Together, the ensemble creates a sound that is at once intimate, adventurous, and entirely its own.

ORIGINAL COMPOSITIONS. GLOBAL INFLUENCES. ONE UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.