A bamboo flute beside CDs and a candle in warm low light

Cloud Hands Music

Music — Recordings by Peter Ross

Peter Ross is a natural improviser. His recordings range from collections of traditional Japanese folk melodies to global music that weaves the shakuhachi together with the instruments of the Middle East, India and Asia.

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Each recording is available on CD, and several are suitable for listening, massage therapy, tai chi and yoga. Select a title below for details and track listings.

Bamboo Spirit

Peter's first recording, Bamboo Spirit, is a collection of beautiful Japanese folk melodies and meditative improvisations played on the shakuhachi — the flute known for its haunting sound and serene qualities. It is well suited to massage therapy, tai chi and yoga.

  1. Theme for Seven (4:45)
  2. Kojo-No-Tsuki (1:42)
  3. Theme for Sensei Nagao (3:30)
  4. Komoriuta (2:26)
  5. Tan-Ko-Bushi (1:43)
  6. Osaka-Bon-Komoriuta (1:42)
  7. Hietsuki Bushi (2:48)
  8. Defune (2:22)
  9. Itsugi-No-Komoriuta (4:52)
  10. Komori-Jishi (5:37)
  11. Arabian Theme (4:06)
  12. Deep Water Theme (4:47)
  13. Balinese Theme (1:35)

The View From Here

The View From Here grew out of Peter's travels through Asia, his lifelong love of jazz improvisation, and years of studying the shakuhachi. The music is global — a blues tune, Japanese folk songs, an Arabian love song, and free interpretations of music from Bali and South India. Peter made three of the seven flutes played on the recording, including the Arabian shakuhachi he invented by blending the breathy quality of the Japanese flute with the Arabian scale. He is joined by Dick Cady (piano), Dean Schmidt (fretless bass), Will Dowd (drums and percussion) and Hana Eady (vocal and oud).

  1. River (9:04)
  2. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat — Charles Mingus (6:26)
  3. Kojo-No-Tsuki — traditional (4:44)
  4. Habibati Bel-Alwan — Hussein Muhanna (7:09)
  5. Mango Chutney Groove — Peter Ross (4:41)
  6. Ubud Village — Peter Ross & Will Dowd (8:06)
  7. Kariboshi Kiriuta — traditional (3:09)

The Space Between Thoughts — A Journey East

The Space Between Thoughts… A Journey East is a deeply meditative recording of shakuhachi and bamboo flutes played alongside ethnic instruments of the Middle East, India and Asia — an eclectic combination that rewards quiet, attentive listening.

Primitive Heart

Primitive Heart continues Peter's exploration of world music and improvisation on bamboo flutes. It has drawn warm praise from fellow musicians and broadcasters; read some of their words on the press and praise page.

To learn more about the music of Japan and the wider world, the Smithsonian Folkways archive is an excellent resource. When you are ready to order a recording, see the order page.