Mother Nature is the greatest treasure-trove of creativity. Without nature providing us with materials and inspiration, we human beings won’t be able to create any masterpieces of art. World indigenous music is one of the greatest examples among all genres of art. Our ancestors were able to use all sorts of natural resources as the materials of musical instruments and started creating music by mimicking the essence of nature. The ability to create music from nature is deeply rooted in our inborn nature. But not many of us are aware of this precious gift.

Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival invites the “Coelacanth”, a group of local world indigenous musicians to present “Between the Mountains and Seas – World Indigenous Music Free Jamming Sessions” at Hap Mun Bay of Sharp Island, Sai Kung this winter.

In the hour and a half jamming session, Coelacanth will introduce some world indigenous music instruments. Learning the basic mechanisms and wisdoms behind them. And will lead the participants to observe the nature, and looking for materials and inspiration to create an improvised music jamming session. Coelacanth hopes the session will help lighten up the nature of creativity of the participants and let them drown in the joy of improvised music jamming.

Collaborator’s Introduction:

Coelacanth is a Hong Kong based ethnic musical instruments and world music group, which performs with Didgeridoo, Mouth harp, Handpan and varieties of indigenous music instruments.

Coelacanth was formed in 2015. The group began making music by busking in the streets. Not long, the group started to participate in different theater plays, workshops, festivals and art jamming etc. Coelacanth has built up interactive and improvised performing styles throughout the years. Continuing to discover new possibilities of sound and music, through learning from primitive musical instruments and the wisdoms of indigenous cultures from all over the world.

The name Coelacanth is inspired by an ancient order of fish: coelacanth, which was believed to be extinct. Coelacanths actually survived through the past 400 million years, acting as a witness of time and evolution. The artistic nature of Coelacanth’s music is similar to the order of coelacanth fish. Ethnic music may be considered obscure and absent by the majority. But in reality, indigenous music is still serving an active role in the development of music, cultures and world views. The group hopes to seek and bring inner harmony to the society by their music creations.