Waves of Harmony: World Shamisen Fusion Project

Kyle Abbott is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Welcome to the mesmerizing world of Shamisen Fusion

Dear friends, music lovers, and cultural explorers! My name is Kyle Abbott, and I've been dedicated to shamisen for the past 20 years. I am thrilled to present to you an incredible and unique musical odyssey that I've poured my heart and soul into: Waves of Harmony - a groundbreaking 40-track shamisen fusion album that transcends the boundaries of genre, culture, and time.

The main members of the Waves of Harmony project

( Right to left: Joel Mankey, Steve Uccello, Kyle Abbott, Shawn Head, Edwin Itoh)

"Waves of Harmony" unites the unparalleled talents of dozens of virtuoso musicians, creating a symphony of breathtaking melodies and harmonious collaborations. I invite you to join us in bringing these albums to life while not only sharing our passion for the beautiful art of shamisen, but celebrating the incredible collaborative magic that only comes from the connection of generous, down-to-earth souls!

Sumie Kaneko (guest artist)

The Masterful Maestros Behind the Music

Imagine a gathering of the world's most skilled and professional musicians, each one handpicked for their passion and mastery of their respective crafts. Our stellar lineup includes legendary shamisen players, internationally-acclaimed vocalists, and renowned instrumentalists from every corner of the globe. With their collective genius, they've woven together an exquisite tapestry of sound, blending traditional Japanese shamisen style with world folk music, as well as some Pop and Metal covers. Find all their names below!

Tom Delany (guest artist)

Help Us Recover Our Production Costs

As a life-long musician with a deep passion for world music, I am fortunate to have connected with so many talented and professional musicians to make this dream a reality. The 40 songs are mostly complete and almost half are ready to be shared with the world, but there is just one more hurdle we need to overcome: covering the production expenses that exceed $30,000. This is where we need YOUR support!

Toshihiro Yanagawa (guest artist)

To be clear, the production expenses exclusively consist of fair artist honorariums and mixing/mastering fees. My goal is to not profit from crowdfunding (because the experience of working with these incredible artists was compensation enough!) but simply recover the costs of producing the works. In this digital age, independent artists like us need to receive the support of our communities to thrive and continue creating.

Yvette Holzwarth (guest artist)

By contributing to our GoFundMe campaign, you'll not only be helping us recover our production costs but also become a part of a movement that bridges cultural gaps and unites people through the power of music. Your generous donations will enable these brilliant musicians to receive the recognition they deserve and share their exceptional artistry with the world.

James Waterman (guest artist)

Every donation counts!

No matter how big or small, every contribution will bring us closer to our goal and make a difference. As a token of our gratitude, our backers will receive exclusive rewards and experiences that will immerse them in the beauty and magic of "Waves of Harmony." Your support today will ensure the legacy of this extraordinary shamisen fusion album and help celebrate the masterful musicians who have made it a reality.

So join us on this unforgettable musical adventure and let the enchanting strains of "Waves of Harmony" resonate in the hearts of people everywhere. Together, we can make this dream come true! ✨

Annie Staninec (guest artist)

Expressing Our Gratitude with Exclusive Rewards

We are incredibly grateful for the support you provide in helping us recover our production costs. To show our appreciation, we've curated a range of unique and heartfelt rewards that we hope you will treasure. When you donate, you'll be part of a community that believes in the power of music and the talents of our amazing musicians.

Isaku Kageyama (Taiko)

1. Donor Mention on Kyle Abbott's website: $10 - Your name is proudly displayed on our donor list, acknowledging your valuable support.

2. Personal Shoutouts: $30 - Receive special shoutouts on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook (public or private).

3. Bachido Button & Patch: $50 - Wear your passion with a free Bachido button and patch.

4. Thank You Card: $100 - A special thank you card featuring a collage of all the talented artists on the album.

5. Two Posters/Thank You Cards: $200 - Limited edition 2016 ShamiCamp and Monsters of Shamisen Stellar album posters.

6. Signed Physical Album Set: $200 - A collection of previous albums, personally signed by the artists.

7. Album Set & 2 Posters/Thank You Cards: $300 - Get both the signed physical album set and limited edition posters.

8. Zoom Lesson: $400 - Hone your skills with a personalized Zoom lesson from album artist of your choice. (Subject to artist availability)

9. Two Song Notations: $500 - Receive notations for two songs of your choice.

10. Personalized Short Shamisen Performance Video: $1,000 - Played by Kyle Abbott and Mike Penny!

11. Zoom Meeting with Album Artist: $2,000 - A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with an album artist of your choice via Zoom. (Subject to artist availability)

Rick Walker (guest artist)

By donating to our campaign, you'll be rewarded with these exclusive and heartfelt tokens of appreciation that reflect the passion and dedication behind "Waves of Harmony." Your support will make a lasting impact on the continuation of collaboration with these exceptional musicians and help bring their artistry to a global audience. Let's make this dream a reality! ✨