Andrew MacGregor

Andrew MacGregor first heard the sound of the shakuhachi on a '70s rock & roll recording by Leon Russell, and was captivated by its strong sound and the depth of feeling it conveyed. He started shakuhachi training with Grand Master Riley Lee in 1985, and became passionately interested in the music handed down through the Zen Buddhist tradition. In 1993 MacGregor traveled to Japan where he spent an intensive period as a "home student" with teacher and great master Tadashi Tajima and during which time he appeared in many concerts. He recorded Nesting of the Cranes, traditional duets for shakuhachi, with Riley Lee in 1994 and Music for Guitar & Shakuhachi — Album One with classical guitarist Marion Schaap in 1998. Four Shakuhachi Meditations released in 1999 combines the power of Zen meditations with instruments such as clarinet, cello, harmonic singing, voice, keyboards, and textures. MacGregor released the CD Ren-Men, a collaboration with award-winning koto player Miho Yamaji from Japan. He has also appeared on recordings by Concordia Mandolin & Guitar Ensemble (Eclectic Collection), as well as on recordings, television commercials, language tapes, and travel guides. An experienced performer, MacGregor lives in Lilydale, Victoria. He also conducts workshops and teaches the shakuhachi.