Brian Ritchie studied shakuhachi for seven years in New York City with James Nyoraku Schlefer. Ritchie achieved the rank of Jun Shihan (teaching license) in March of 2003. Along with the license he received the professional name “Tairaku” which means “Big Music”. Although he has been playing shakuhachi for a comparatively short period of time, Brian has already released two CD’s of shakuhachi music, “Purple Field” (Honkyoku) and “Shakuhachi Club NYC” (World Jazz).

Aside from his shakuhachi activities, Brian tours and records with Violent Femmes, a band he started in 1981. The Femmes have played in over 40 countries. Their accomplishments include sold out performances at Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Woodstock ’94 and the northernmost rock concert in history at the magnetic north pole. They have numerous gold and platinum records to their name.

Website: http://www.brianritchie.com
email: nemo2000@att.net