Gary Stroutsos
// composer, flutist & cultural storytellerGARY STROUTSOS is a composer, world flute master, and cultural storyteller from Seattle, Washington. “Distant Shores” (1996), “Winds Of Honor” (1996), and “The Native Heart” (1997) are all available from Makoche Records, “Hidden World” (2000), with Jonn Serrie, is available from Narada Records, “Pacific Moon” (2001) is available from Four Winds, “Oru: The Natural Order” (2002) is available from Paras Recording, “Spirit Of Place: Napa Valley” (2003) is available from Earthwalk Music, “Quiet Fire: Zen Moods For The Spa Experience” (2004), with Will Clipman and William Eaton, is available from White Swan Records, “Spirit Romance” (2005), with David Lanz, is available from Narada Records, “Sacred Clay” (2006), with Will Clipman, is available from Ko Ko Arts, and “Living Temples” (2008), with David Lanz, is available from Moon Boy Music.
Website: www.garystroutsos.com
Photo: Gary Stroutsos / GaryStroutsos.com
Interview:
The spiritual significance of music comes from deep traditions not our own and we need to show respect and dignity to the many generations of music from all over the world. To be able to compose and perform what is called spiritual music is not something everyone can do without a long journey of practice and studies of various world cultures that I believe are the foundations for true spiritual music.
As a world flutist I have studied many cultures to find the spiritual inside my own music through the enduring legacy of American Jazz, Afro Cuban, American Indian, and Far East Pan-Global sounds that are such an important part of ancient flutes. The solo sounds of world flutes have played a significant role in spiritual music with innovators like Paul Horn who created the space as a musical collaborator to reach new heights in what we call spiritual world music. This music can transcend cultures and break down barriers or what I like to call “music without borders”.
One has to be very humble in their approach to spiritual music and be able to create the spirit from the stage or the recording studio. We need more artists to step back and have a better understanding of what the spirit of music really means and how to share it with the world. The great Jazz masters like Miles Davis or John Coltrane had the ability and the awareness to create beyond just good music they had the “spiritual inside their phrases”. One must always play up to the music for it takes a long time to sound like yourself and transcend the spiritual. We also must remember how important music is to various cultures around the world.
“We need more artists to step back and have a better understanding of what the spirit of music really means and how to share it with the world.”
– Gary Stroutsos, composer, flutist, and cultural storyteller
