EN is a duo bound to Japan, music, and each other, and specializes in sharing contemporary and classical music from Japan. John and Elizabeth met when they began studying Japanese in 1974. They fell in love with each other, then fell in love with Japan. Since then they have lived together in Japan for over a decade, studying Japanese music from master teachers. Their love for Japanese music and culture comes alive in their warm, intimate, inspired performances. John's shakuhachi flute and Elizabeth's koto create an elegant and meditative mood. Experience the interwoven textures and tones of EN! Performances include performing and recording with the Seattle Women's Chorus, playing original music for silent films, weddings, art openings, garden gatherings and festivals, as well as educational settings. More information is available at the EN website, www.duoen.com.

Koto World's Unique Mother-Son Duo, Wasabi! has released their first recording, and it received a "Hottest Product of 2004" Award from iParenting Media and the Parents' Choice Recommended Award.

Wasabi's release is "for all ages...and that means kids, too!" Brian has been playing koto since he was six. "He took to koto like a kid to a chocolate bar," Elizabeth recalls. Elizabeth and her son Brian have been performing together for over six years. The title piece, Chocolate Suite, is divided into three movements: Milk Chocolate, White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate. The CD includes several other duos by Falconer, including the evocative piece Midnight Rain and soft-textured Cloudscape, and a solo by Brian written by the Japanese composer Miyagi Michio. Delicious music that melts in your mind! Taste it and let us know what you think!

Through a series of far-fetched coincidences (you can read about them in the liner notes!) these three unique Pacific Northwest artists met and released a recording together, Island Dreams. True to Koto World style, it is uniquely inspired acoustic music, this time with hues of island sound brought to life by sanshin, guitar, koto, and ukulele. It received three national awards soon after its release. It combines musical traditions from Okinawa, Japan, Hawai'I and beyond with the individual approaches and creative arrangements of these three talented multicultural musicians. Sung in English, Okinawan, and Japanese (and a little Hawaiian and Tahitian!) the music is as uplifting and nurturing as an ocean breeze. Koto World is very excited about this recording, and invites you to experience the very special sound of Island Dreams.

Seattle-based singer Aiko Shimada and koto master Elizabeth Falconer collaborated on a new recording of old songs from Japan and received Gold Awards from both Parents' Choice and NAPPA. These are lullabies and age-old favorites that have been used to soothe children and adults alike for centuries. The two musicians provide fresh interpretations, bringing their unique cross-cultural experiences and innovative musical approaches to this lovingly conceived recording. Their new arrangements, compellingly understated, bring out the warmth of Aiko Shimada's voice and the ephemeral beauty of the 13-string koto. Besides well-known pieces such as "Red Dragonfly" and "Dreamy Moonlit Night," the CD includes three of their own compositions. The works are sung largely in Japanese, with some English lyrics artfully woven in to about a third of the 16 selections. Whether one understands Japanese or not, Aiko Shimada's voice is both intimate and nurturing, and the sounds of Elizabeth Falconer's koto add a nostalgic and romantic element to the songs. All in all, the music is as comforting as a goodnight hug.