An Exploration of Shakuhachi Master Neptune & Indian Giridhar Udupa Fusion | Roots & Rhythm | Santa Monica | July 30
SANTA MONICA, CA — On Thursday, July 30, First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica will host the California premiere of Roots & Rhythm: Shakuhachi & Ghatam in Dialogue, a rare musical encounter featuring shakuhachi master John Kaizan Neptune and Grammy-winning ghatam virtuoso Giridhar Udupa.
More than two decades after sharing the stage, Neptune and Udupa reunite for a special California tour, marking the first time the two artists will perform together in the United States.
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.
At the heart of the performance is the musical 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.
Presented at First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica, the California premiere offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience these master musicians in an intimate listening environment.
“Some music simply has to be experienced live,” David Neptune concludes. Roots & Rhythm California Tour • July 30–August 1 • rootsandrhythm.live
Event Details
Thursday, July 30, 2026 – 7:30 PM
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica 1220 Second Street Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tickets here & more information available on rootsandrhythm.live
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.