Music for a Moving Village
For 40 years, John Genyo Sprague has been offering improvisational music for creative dance, contemplative listening, ceremony, and community building. John’s music inspires movement both inwardly and outwardly, as well as communally — a soundtrack for a “Moving Village”.
Musical Accompaniment and Concerts
I specialize in improvised music for movement, dance, and ceremony, as well as providing an atmospheric background at special events. I am ready to create musical magic at your event — including community dance jams, yoga classes, workshops, ceremonies, private parties, house concerts, and more.
Along with creating musical expressions and accompaniment tailored for your event, I also perform concerts for contemplative listening and inspiration, and am currently offering two different concert programs:
* Song of the Mystery — blending improvised music magic, with songs of transformation, healing, and mystic vision.
* Zen Wind: This performance features Genyo’s improvised music, interspersed with short passages of spoken word, and movement responses, offering a pure experience of the present moment.
John has released five albums of original music. Here are links and info about his albums:
Dancing Worlds and Moving Spaces: Two studio albums designed for creative movement, contemplative listening, and contemporary dance. From deep "shamanic" spaces, to tribal grooves, lyrical dances, and hypnotic meditations.
These albums are also available on Amazon
Selections from Moving Spaces
from Dancing Worlds:
Tao Jam: Greetings from the Other Side: John's jam band from the early millennium.
Tao Jam was an improv-rock band from Western Mass, following in the tradition of such artists as the Grateful Dead, Traffic, and the Allman Brothers. Tao Jam spun out jams from their original tunes, mostly composed by John, as well as covers of artists such as the Dead, Bruce Cockburn, and some jazz classics. "Greetings from the Other Side” was the band’s one CD.
Contemplation and Play (John and Miro Sprague) Musical accompaniment for a community dance jam with John and his inspired keyboardist son, Miro. “This is a live recording of music improvised for an evening movement experience. The atmosphere was informal, low key, and included children. From almost 2 hours of music we culled a chronological selection. It was a special joy to work with my talented and inspired son, Miro, then 21, and I hope you enjoy his marvelous keyboard playing as much as I do. ”
From Contemplation and Play:
“Searching for Peace” was John’s first album, released only on cassette. Songs and instrumentals on a theme of peace and spiritual inquiry. If you are interested please contact him.
Music Lessons: John is available for lessons, especially focused on the art of improvisation. Please inquire for more info.
PRAISE
“Your music is well loved in Thailand!. I used your CDs in my movement workshop, and afterwards everyone wanted to use the music again and all move together. So much joy and love and openness!”
Susan Bauer: dance educator, Oakland, CA
“Such lovely, wonderful music, I felt like I was being transported into a beautiful and mystical place full of miracles and magic. It made me soooooooooo happy, filling me with so much deep love and joy. At the point where you start singing I felt so much bliss and so safe....”
Nicki A: designer, Mill Valley, CA
“Thanks for the amazing music!” (After playing live via Zoom for the ABCD dance jam)
Moti Zemelman: contact improvisation teacher
“We have a multiple CD changer which we play in a random mode. Every time one of your pieces comes up, my wife says, "what is this, it's so beautiful?" And we go to look and inevitably it is from your CD. Moving Spaces is a great album.”
Don: civil engineer, western MA
“I’ve often put on your CD, Dancing Worlds, and danced around the house with my daughter. She requests it, saying: ‘mommy, mommy, play the one with the real drums!’”
Mom in Vermont.
“Moving Spaces on iPod on morning bus ride to work. Tuned in to your music again on the ride home.(Your piece) Sejal in Love made me smile and also brought tears. To me it's deeply joyful and sad both at once, as are many of your other tunes. Thank you again and again for the clear channel/creator of beauty and love that you are.”
Amita Jarmon: rabbi and physical therapist, Jerusalem, Israel
“John, it was lovely seeing you last evening & hearing you play the ocarina SO beautifully! Thank you so very much for the gorgeous CD. I played it this morning & was utterly entranced by its beauty. I shall always treasure this example of your great musicianship & deep spirituality. Thanks again. Love,”
Lynne Knudsen: English teacher, Easthampton, MA