The first event in the ACF Philadelphia series will take place at 7:00 PM on February 21st, featuring the shakuhachi master and composer Akikazu Nakamura. Mr. Nakamura is an ideal first guest for the series, in that his musical universe encompasses a range of styles that may seem very unusual. He is a highly regarded master of the Shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) but also studied classical and jazz music in the USA at Berklee College of Music. In his unique style, many musical elements are combined in new and fresh ways. 

The evening will feature Mr. Nakamura in conversation with ACF Philadelphia director Gene Coleman. The conversation will explore Nakamura's evolution as a performer and composer, with an emphasis on his Zen Music project. The Zen Music project was supported by Denon Japan and brought Nakamura to over a dozen Zen temples, where he studied and documented their unique music. This work is represented in a highly regarded series of CDs on the Denon label. The conversation will be followed by a short solo performance by Nakamura and a reception. 

This event is free and open to all. It may be of special interest to those looking to know more about Japanese music and its relationship to contemporary Western music and the practice of Zen Buddhism. 

Please RSVP to Gene Coleman at: gene@acfphiladelphia.org

You can learn more about Akikazu Nakamurahere: http://www.komuso.com/people/people.pl?person=327