Album Notes

"Peter Ross is a natural improviser who has the rare ability to get into a creative zone in the recording studio and play with great feeling and spontaneity." -Ray Brooks, Author of "Blowing Zen."

About "The Space Between Thoughts...a journey east

Perfect for Tai Chi, Yoga and meditaion this is a deeply meditative recording of Shakuhachi (Japanese Zen flute) and bamboo flutes played with ethnic instruments of Asia, India, and the Middle East.
This eclectic combination of flutes, harmonium, violin, and tambura transcends global boundaries. Peter uses drones, continuous long tones as the underlying basis for most of the songs, bringing a peaceful and calming feeling to the entire collection. Elegant vocals were also used on several of the pieces adding an hypnotic and exquisite backdrop to Peter's superb talent.

Peter Ross: Shakuhachi & Bamboo Flutes
Gary Haggerty: Oud, violin and Tar
Elizabeth Falconer: Twenty String Koto
Ed Pias: North Indian Pakhawaj
Arne Livingston: Bass
Garrett Fisher: Harmonium and Vocal
Jessica Kenney: Vocal



About Peter Ross:

Originally from New York City Peter Ross started out playing Jazz on the saxophone. Later, while living in Berkeley, California he heard the Zen flute of Japan; the Shakuhachi. He studied this hauntingly beautiful flute with three Japanese masters.

Peter spent three years traveling to over 30 countries collecting musical ideas and cultural influences. These experiences are reflected in his compositions and recordings.

From 1992 to 2003 Peter resided in Seattle, WA, where he was very active as a shakuhachi performer, teacher and flute maker. Peter currently resides in Costa Rica where he continues to perform and teach. He has produced 5 CD's of his original music and is in demand as a studio musician, teacher and performer. His recordings air weekly on NPR's "Echoes".

As a player, Peter brings his uniquely innovative style to the shakuhachi. He plays with great feeling and creativity. Strongly influenced by jazz, Peter uses his improvisational skills to transcend traditional shakuhachi playing styles.

A multi-instrumentalist, Peter plays many different sizes of Shakuhachi, as well as an Arabian flute he created, a South Indian flute (bansuri), various bamboo flutes and the bass silver flute. Experimentation for him is a given.

Besides playing the traditional flute music of Japan, Peter composes world music melodies for his CD's that combine his love of music from Africa, Bali, India, Japan and the Middle East.

He's very innovative and uses musicians and instruments from all over the world to great advantage.

For example he recently composed an African melody. He played it on a Japanese Shakuhachi, and was accompanied in the recording studio by an Indian tabla player, an African guitarist, a Jazz bassist and a Celtic viola player. And it works beautifully.

He uses the finest musicians from around the world to accompany him on his passionate and hypnotic recordings. His music has appeared on soundtracks for both film and television.

After you listen to any one of Peter Ross's five original recordings you'll agree that his is a unique and original talent worth listening to over and over again