Ronnie Nyogetsu Reishin Seldin
1947 - 5/30/2017
Shakuhachi
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Ronnie Nyogetsu studied shakuhachi in Kyoto, Japan with Kurahashi Yodo Sensei, who was a disciple of Jin Nyodo. There, in 1975, he received the name Nyogetsu and a teaching certificate at the level of Jun Shi-han in the Kinko school of shakuhachi. After his return to New York, Nyogetsu was awarded the rank of Shi-han (Master) in 1978, as a result of his efforts to spread the teaching of this instrument in America. In 1980, he received his Dai Shi-han, or Grand Master's license. In 2001 he received Koku-An Dai-Shihan (Grand Master's license at the level of Kyu-Dan, or 9th level) from Japan's Living National Treasure in shakuhachi, Aoki Reibo. Ronnie was also given the name Reishin (Heart/Mind of the Bell) at that time. He performed in numerous concerts, lectures, and demonstrations in the metropolitan area as well as in many other places on the East coast and in the Midwest. He not only toured Japan many times, he was also interviewed on radio and television both here and in Japan, and performed on the sound tracks of several documentary films including the academy award nominated documentary "A Family Gathering" (1989) for which he also co-composed the sound track. Ronnie Nyogetsu released several recordings of shakuhachi music; including cassettes, LPs, and compact discs. Mr Seldin was the founder of Ki-Sui-An shakuhachi dojo with branches in Queens, Manhattan, Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore. In addition to teaching privately, Mr. Seldin was also part of the Japanese Music Program at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York where he gave lectures on and demonstrations of the shakuhachi. Ronnie Nyogetsu taught via cassette, as well, to students in 26 states, and to 6 foreign countries. The KiSuiAn Shakuhachi Dojo became the largest and most active Shakuhachi Dojo in the world outside of Japan. Nyogetsu had possibly the largest collection of traditionally made Shakuhachi in the world for sale, ranging in size from 1.3 to 3.1 Shakuhachi.
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Teachers Students
Bob Seigetsu Avstreih Steven Nyoyu Belenko Marco Burmester Cynthia Nyoen Chaffee Ian Evelyn Cullen 1944 - David Duncavage Philip Gelb 1965 - David Nyoso Gillette John Nyoshu Goodman Robert Nyosei Kline Jeffrey Nyofu Lependorf 1962 - Michael REIGETSU Müller 1959 - Michael Reigetsu Müller Ken Nyoken Norcross Barbara Nyoi Krooss Jamie Hogetsu Orfanella 1966 - Brian Purdy 1974 - Lauren Nagaryû Rubin Ph.D.
James Nyoraku 如楽 Schlefer 1956 - |
Albums
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Empty Bowl For the first time, other than Jin-Sensei's own recordings, a CD has been recorded of Jin Nyodo's version of Kinko-Ryu repertoire. Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin has recorded this repertoire on his second Sparkling Beatnik release, which differs from the more-often recorded Tokyo-style Kinko-Ryu pieces, in that they are more simple and meditative in nature. |
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Heart of Bamboo, The Meian style honkyoku. |
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Heart of Zen - Simplicity This CD is a mix of traditional and original compositions performed solo by Nyogetsu. They are all meditative in nature, and are performed on the 1.8 Shakuhachi. You will find these pieces evoke a very warm and yet accessible feeling. |
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Ichi on Buttsu - One sound Enlightenment His first Lyrichord CD, Nyogetsu Seldin sumptuously plays seven traditional, and one original composition on several shakuhachis of different lengths. Ichi On Buttsu is a peerless collection of traditional shakuhachi performance, a disc which quite possibly demonstrates the most profound link between music and the ancient Eastern journey toward enlightenment. |
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Ki-Sui-An Honkyoku Vol 1 Solo Shakuhachi. |
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Ki-Sui-An Honkyoku Vol 2 Solo Shakuhachi. |
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Komuso - the Healing Art of Zen Shakuhachi The healing art of zen shakuhachi Solo CD of Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. Now released !!! In his latest CD, Nyogetsu makes use of very long Shakuhachi. No less then 7 of the 9 tracks are on Shakuhachi 2.4 or longer (including tracks on 2.8 and 3.0). |
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Kyomono Series Vol 1 Matsuura Kengyo - NY Sankyoku Kai Henry Horaku Burnett - Sangen and Vocal. Keiko Kanogawa - Koto. Contains the compositions "Wakana" and "Sato No Akatsuki". This is available on LP (yes vinyl!) and cassette only. |
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Makoto Shinjitsu - with a heart of true sincerity Original compositions, healing honkyoku and "neo-honkyoku". A collection of serene solo pieces from Shakuhachi master Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. This is the follow up to "Ichi On Buttsu", viewed as landmark achievement in Shakuhachi performance. Nyogetsu Seldin is one of the most widely sought Shakuhachi masters in the world today, and on Makoto Shinjitsu, the absolute mastery he exhibits is immediately apparent. |
| Mama's Lullaby This is a special collection of lullabies from different countries - Japan, Italy, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Israel and France among others. This CD embodies the richness and diversity of the world's cultures and transmits the beauty of a common love shared by mothers everywhere. Nyogetsu's contribution on this CD is "Shikararete", performed on 1.8 Shakuhachi with female vocalist Atsuko Yuma. | |
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One Sound Traditional Buddhist Music is a 64 page Book-CD with traditional Buddhist music from Tibet, China, Vietnam, Korea, Sri Lanka ,and Japan. It is the only compilation of this kind ever done. In addition to having a selection on the CD, Nyogetsu co-produced One Sound, and was responsible for compiling the material. |
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Perspectives of New Music Perspectives of New Music is the name of the well respected Journal of 20th Century music, that goes along with this CD. In the issue, for the first time, Japanese Music (modern and Traditional) was given a 200 page section, edited by Dr. Henry Burnett. There is also an excellent trio recorded live in Tokyo of Zangetsu, and a solo version of Reibo by Nyogetsu. |
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Planet Sleeps, The Everything about this CD, from its eye-popping cool packaging to its beautiful booklet, is wonderful, perhaps peerless. It's a study that spans 16 countries, catching paeans to childhood sleep from varied traditions. Beyond being a great collection of international music, this is probably the most interesting mix available of cultural voices approaching the issue of children sleeping. |
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Prayer for the Missing, A This very special CD is a collection of bamboo flute offerings performed by members of New York City's KiSuiAn Shakuhachi Dojo whose founder is Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. The traditional pieces on this CD were passed down through the ages to aid in healing and to provide safe passage of the spirit. All profits from the sale of this CD will be donated to non-profits responding to impacts of 9/11/01 and other crises in the NYC area. |
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Reibo - In memory of the bell This recording was Nyogetsu's first CD recording, and it is also his only international recording, published by the Japanese company Image Box. It contains all of Nyogetsu's favorite Honkyoku pieces, as at the time of the recordings, he wasn't aware that he ever would record another. |
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Samurai Spirit This recording features the unusual, but strong Komi-Buki technique has been released by Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin. This CD includes the entire repertoire for the Neza-Sa-Ha Honkyoku, as well as a new composition of Nyogetsu's, Nakagawa Yoshi-Sama. |
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Sound of Distant Deer This CD is a collection of songs combining shakuhachi and cello, in solos and duets, both traditional and modern. Nyogetsu plays shakuhachi with cellist Gideon Freudmann. There are four pieces composed for this CD using duets of these two instruments. There are also 3 improvisations between the two performers that they call "Cellohachi". |
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Sounds of Healing Sounds of Healing is an exceptional recording in which an oncologist, Dr. Mitch Gaynor, uses music to cure serious diseases (like cancer). In addition to his guided meditations, there are three ensemble pieces with Shakuhachi. Synthesizer, Gongs, Tibetan overtone singing (high voice, as well as low voice), Crystal Bowls, and Tibetan Bowls !! |
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Sui Zen - Blowing Meditation on the Shakuhachi - 01 The Jin Nyodo repertoire plus several modern pieces are presented on five compact disks. Legends of the music are related in the accompanying book. A bundle of incense is enclosed to help you relax and allow yourself to be filled with the spirit of Sui Zen. CONTENTS: Sui Zen book, five music CDs, incense. |
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Sui Zen - Blowing Meditation on the Shakuhachi - 02 |
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Sui Zen - Blowing Meditation on the Shakuhachi - 03 |
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Sui Zen - Blowing Meditation on the Shakuhachi - 04 |
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Sui Zen - Blowing Meditation on the Shakuhachi - 05 |
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Trance 3 This is the third of the best-selling series for Ellipsis Arts. On this recording, the first third is Japan, in which Ronnie Nyogetsu Seldin plays a Zen-Honkyoku. The second third is the African Mbira (thumb-piano), and the final third is the Sundaese chanting of West Java. |
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Wind in the Reeds Koten and Kinko honkyoku. |
Tracks Recorded
Composed or Arranged
| Shakuhachi Compositions | |||
| Title | Kanji | Year | Alternate Title |
| Makoto Shinjitsu | 1987 |
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| Omae | 1990 |
Special Angel | |
| Five Minutes More | 1991 |
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| San'ya (Ki Sui-An) | 三谷 |
1995 |
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| Shizukesa | 1996 |
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| Cellohachi - Part 1 | 1998 |
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| Cellohachi - Part 2 | 1998 |
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| Cellohachi - Part 3 | 1998 |