Hermit Jazz: Solo Bass Shakuhachi & Nature Blues

Cornelius Boots

Music, Solo Show

What if what you knew about flutes was only part of the story? In the very old days, fluting had heft. These intentional, slow-crafted compositions reconnect to this elemental power. Return to the root through solo woodwind adventures, dark green Zen and forgotten breathing methods.

"It's like solo Jethro Tull ... on Dagobah." [Chauncey B., discogs]

Featuring original compositions plus the occasional Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix or John Coltrane arrangement, this is an intentional presentation of the soul-shifting tone of a rare low-pitched, root-end bamboo flute. At the crossroads of solo recital, porch blues, spiritualist séance and cave ritual, we will shift to an elemental perception and participate in a breath-powered odyssey that is both rustic and virtuosic – earthy and ethereal. It will engage subtle-perception and transmit the range of vital energies that saturate primeval nature.

The Cornelius Boots YouTube channel has over 500 videos of shakuhachi being performed in venues and various natural settings around the world since 2011, and it gives you a sense of the elemental nature music you will be experiencing up close in one of Philadelphia's historic spaces. In 2026, Boots is celebrating 25 years of studying, practicing, teaching and conjuring a new voice for this ancient instrument. The program will include about 9 selections from his growing catalog (about 57 originals and 12 arrangements) of compositions written specifically for this rare woodwind instrument, contextualized by green man folklore, breathing secrets and tales from his variegated woodwinding life.

Details

Run Time: 85 mins

Ticket Price: $25

Venue: Philadelphia Ethical Society
Dates: September 20, 2026

Buy Tickets

September 20, 2026 7.00pm

1906 Rittenhouse Square

General Admission: $25

About the Artist

Cornelius Boots is an internationally active composer-performer, lifelong woodwind innovator and the inventor of chthonic breathing. He is a licensed grandmaster of Zen shakuhachi, creator of progressive rock, jazz and blues styles and repertoire, and a former bass clarinet pioneer. As Philadelphia’s premiere rustic virtuoso, Boots’ purpose is to transmit the spirit of primeval nature through the rigorous artistry and unique tone of the bass shakuhachi flute, honoring the dual regional lineages of John Coltrane (cosmically creative musicianship) and the Wissahickon hermits (devotional nature spirituality).

The founder of Black Earth Shakuhachi School, Boots grew up in Yardley where he started playing the clarinet in 1983. His first professional gig was subbing into the Mummers Parade on alto sax in 1988, then he spent 32 years living elsewhere, and now resides in Wyndmoor. In addition to grants, awards, commissions and many recordings, Boots was a featured performer and lecturer at World Shakuhachi Festivals 2016 (Prague), 2018 (London) and 2025 (Texas), World Bamboo Congress 2018 (Mexico), Clarinetfests 2008, 2011 and 2013 and his Sony E3 2018 Ghost of Tsushima live performance has over 6 million views on YouTube.

A three-time graduate of the renowned Jacobs School of Music (BM Classical Clarinet ’97, BS Audio Recording ’97, MM Jazz Studies ’99), Boots’ training and work experience is deep and diverse: jazz saxophonist, swing clarinetist, symphony bass clarinetist, funk and progressive rock bandleader and founder/composer of the world’s only composing bass clarinet quartet, Cornelius continues to develop Hermit Jazz & Nature Blues: a robust, cross-cultural solo style utilizing rare breath-defying techniques and maximum panstylistic prowess.

In 2013, Boots was given the shakuhachi name 深禅 "Shinzen" (depth Zen or deep Zen). In 2022, he was awarded a Dai Shihan (grandmaster) certificate in for his contributions and innovations.

Dr. ArchetypeSpiritual Advisorrecalcitrantcookie@yahoo.com

Accessibility & Content Considerations

Contact the Fringe Festival Box Office for up to date accessibility information.

This event is appropriate for ages 7+

Covid-19 Safety policy

This event does not require masks to be worn