Andreas Vollenweider

It's amazing how many fans from different backgrounds Swiss harpist Andreas Vollenweider has attracted -- a fact probably due to his entrancing combination of jazz, classical, world and new age playing. Early albums such as Caverna Magica combine spacey, effect-laden noises with light Funk rhythms and Vollenweider's jazzy playing. His more recent works have continued to focus on ethereal new age compositions, along with a wide range of ethnic influences -- it's remarkable how similar Vollenweider's harp at times sounds like a Japanese koto. His unique sound is due in part to the innovative alterations he's made on his harp: by adding mutes, he can play in a precise, rhythmic style, and by electrifying the instrument, he's expanded its range of sounds.