John Kaizan Neptune is acknowledged as one of the world’s masters of the shakuhachi, or traditional Japanese bamboo flute. Born in Oakland, he grew up in a musical family, and a world music course at the University of Hawaii inspired him to study the shakuhachi in Japan. His virtuosity led him to compose music to showcase his own abilities, and he also introduced elements of improvisation into the music as well as playing the shakuhachi as a jazz instrument. He has also invented new versions of the flute to increase its capabilities.