RILEY Lee’s reputation has gone from strength to strength since he took part in the first Maleny Folk Festival, the origin of the internationally regarded Woodford Folk Festival where he played the Shakuhachi many times.

Later, he became the first non-Japanese master of the Shakuhachi flute in the world, and he returns to Maleny direct from the Sydney Opera House, where he will be playing in a concert with Taikoz, an international ensemble including Japanese drums he helped establish in 1997.

Riley Lee is returning to present a concert at St Georges Anglican Church Walker Drive, on October 29 at 2pm, the third in this year’s regular concert series. Tickets may be obtained at www.trybooking.com, by phoning Susan on 5494 3062 or may be purchased at the door where there is eftpos available. Cost is $25 & includes light refreshments after the concert.

The Shakuhachi is a Japanese bamboo woodwind derived from the Chinese thirteen centuries ago, and only a ‘master’ can play it with real authority. His international concerts include with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Berlind Theatre Princeton, as well as in Australia with the Melbourne and Sydney Symphony Orchestras.

Riley Lee has a PhD in ethnomusicology from Sydney University and has taught courses at Princeton University. Born in the USA and spending teenage years in Hawaii, Riley now lives with his wife, Patricia, in Sydney.

Concert committee Chair Michele Rechtslag is delighted he can spare the time to return to St Georges for this concert.

“Riley has a very busy international schedule, and it says a great deal that he enjoyed playing to our niche audience so much last year that he can spare the time to present a special concert Musical Musings for us.

“The program will include traditional 16th century Japanese melodies, contemporary international pieces as well as his own interpretations of the music of Hildegard von Bingen the 12th century Benedictine abbess whose beautiful plainsong melodies are very popular today,” said Michele.