An Exploration of Shakuhachi Master Neptune & Indian Giridhar Udupa Fusion | Roots & Rhythm California Tour | July 30–August 1
CALIFORNIA — More than two decades after sharing the stage, shakuhachi master John Kaizan Neptune and Grammy-winning ghatam virtuoso Giridhar Udupa reunite for a rare series of California performances. Roots & Rhythm: Shakuhachi & Ghatam in Dialogue marks the first time the two artists will perform together in the United States, bringing audiences a rare musical encounter shaped by decades of friendship, collaboration, and artistic exploration.
For David Neptune, who joins the ensemble on Takeda percussion, the project carries special meaning.
“For years my father spoke about returning to the stage with Udupa,” says Neptune. “Helping bring these performances together feels deeply personal—a continuation of a musical friendship that has shaped our family for decades.”
Featuring primarily original compositions by John Kaizan Neptune, the program draws from jazz, Latin rhythms, Indian and African percussion, and Japanese melodic influences, woven together into a distinctive contemporary sound.
Joined by David Neptune on Takeda percussion—an original bamboo percussion instrument developed by the Neptune family—the ensemble creates an immersive musical journey guided by improvisation, listening, and connection.
Bringing together distinctive musical voices, the project explores the meeting points between Japanese, Indian, Latin, and jazz influences. At the center of the performance is the dialogue between the expressive sound of the shakuhachi and the remarkable rhythmic language of the ghatam, creating music that is intimate, adventurous, and alive in the moment.
“Some music simply has to be experienced live,” David Neptune concludes. Roots & Rhythm California Tour • July 30–August 1 • rootsandrhythm.live
Tour Dates:
- Thursday, July 30, 2026 – 7:30 PM, First Presbyterian Church, Santa Monica, CA
- Friday, July 31, 2026 – 8 PM, NAMBA Arts Center, Ventura, CA
- Saturday, August 1, 2026 – 6:00 PM, Peace Resource Center, San Diego, CA
Presented independently by the Neptune family and Muditā Agency, Roots & Rhythm celebrates the power of live performance, artistic friendship, and the creative possibilities of musical dialogue.
Tickets & Information: tickets.rootsandrhythm.live / rootsandrhythm.live