Album Notes

The gorgeous music recorded for this project embraces numerous Asian musical styles woven together by an enormously talented group of musicians.

The lyrical oboe and tenor saxophone playing of Paul McCandless, who some of you will recognize from the group Oregon, soars with Smith Dobson's vibraphone and Kit Walker's keyboards and synthesizers. Peter Barshay's brilliant exotic bass riffs and the astonishing rhythms of renowned percussionist George Marsh provide solid and responsive support. The performances by Phillip Gelb on shakuhachi and Shoko Hikage on koto utterly enrapture. The shakuhachi is an expressive Japanese end-blown flute made from a length of bamboo. The koto, a kind of zither with 13 strings and 13 moveable bridges, is one of the main instruments of Japanese traditional music.

Pan Asia includes 16 recipe cards for Asian appetizers, drinks, and family-style dishes. The recipe cards feature beautiful food photos, cook’s tips, shopping lists, and travel easily from the kitchen to the grocery store.

Pan Asia is the fourteenth title in Sharon O'Connor's collectible MusicCooks series. Sharon O’Connor travels the world collaborating with great chefs and musicians, bringing together food, art, music, and travel to create Menus and Music® and MusicCooks®, her two best-selling series.

Paul McCandless, oboe, soprano sax, tenor sax; Smith Dobson V, vibraphone; Shoko Hikage, koto; Philip Gelb, shakuhachi; Kit Walker, keyboards; Peter Barshay, bass; George Marsh, percussion

“Music may or may not be the food of love, but Sharon O'Connor has built a
thriving business by combining a love of both food and music. ”
SF Gate