Roots and Rhythm

Between bamboo and clay

John Kaizan Neptune

Shakuhachi virtuoso, Japan

Giridhar Udupa,

Master of South Indian ghatam

A musical friendship carried across decades, cultures, and generations.

For years my father spoke about returning to the stage with Giridhar. Helping bring these performances together feels deeply personal — a continuation of a musical friendship that has shaped our family for decades.

It’s an honor to finally share this dream with audiences and connect with people who care deeply about music, tradition, and cultural exchange.

Japan and India both carry profound musical traditions, histories, and philosophies, and creating spaces where these sounds can resonate across cultures is part of what gives this collaboration so much meaning to us.

Beyond words, beyond genres — some music simply has to be experienced live.

We’re deeply grateful for the warmth, encouragement, and support this project has already received, and we look forward to sharing these magical moments with many of you in the months ahead.

— David Neptune

The dreamlike sound of the Shakuhachi meets the earthy resonance of South Indian clay percussion.

A limited series of intimate performances exploring the meeting point between Japanese shakuhachi and South Indian ghatam traditions.

Summer 2026

Experience it live

Rare performances across Southern California

To go further

More about the Shakuhachi with John

Words Can't Go There trailer

Indian percussion with Giridhar