Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Murasaki Ensemble blend acoustic instruments from around the globe to create a musical experience unlike any other -- elements of traditional Japanese music, Near Eastern rhythms and improvisational jazz converge, producing a sound that is extremely vibrant and innovative yet still manages to sound familiar.
The Murasaki Ensemble's sound is built upon excellent musicianship and a unique ability to combine traditional instruments in exciting ways. Intricate Near Eastern Percussion fuses with the jazzy sounds of upright bass and acoustic guitar, providing a framework for the group's musical explorations while koto and flute add texture, punctuating the rhythm with enticing melodies.
Blending old with new and East with West, the Murasaki Ensemble strives to present a new listening experience -- exploring traditions of the past with an ear towards the possibilities of the future.
"...Lively jazz highlighted by the sounds of the koto...The Murasaki Ensemble's acoustic tones combine Eastern and Western influences in a distinct and pleasing way..." (Leslie Katz, The Oakland Tribune, February 1999)