About
About Waves of Harmony
Since 2020, Waves of Harmony has pursued an East Meets West musical fusion, producing high quality albums reminiscent of the Silk Road Ensemble, but with more focus on traditional Japanese instruments.
Bringing together over 60 master musicians from Japan and the West, the project creates inventive works that connect cultures through collaboration. Its leader, Shamisen ambassador Kyle Abbott, self-funded the entire venture – covering all artist honorariums and engineering fees – and now asks for your donation to help share these unique sounds.
During the 2020 lockdown, when many musicians were confined to their homes, Kyle launched this groundbreaking project to unite and uplift artists worldwide. Initially a modest 7-song album focused on Wagakki (和楽器 – traditional Japanese instruments), it organically expanded into a 50-song collection featuring over 60 artists under the banner of Waves of Harmony.
The initiative united award-winning Japanese minyo singers, Shamisen players, and international musicians – from Irish Uilleann pipers to performers of instruments like the Harmonium and Hichiriki. Together, they revitalized centuries-old folk songs, blending Japanese minyo with Appalachian mountain music into a symphony of diverse yet harmonious artistry.
Remarkably, each artist recorded independently with minimal guidance. Kyle trusted the mastery and sensitivity of his collaborators, granting them full creative freedom, and their collective creativity forged an extraordinary cohesion, linking Japanese and Western folk traditions.
Watch
Waves of Harmony fosters cultural exchange, connecting artists from Japan and beyond to showcase their unique musical traditions. By exploring how Japanese folk instruments blend with global genres, this project not only inspires appreciation for Wagakki but also invites audiences to experience and experiment with them firsthand.
Help turn these songs into a five-album series
Your tax-deductible contribution will help expand the initiative, enabling even more master musicians worldwide to collaborate through Japanese traditional instruments and folk fusion.