Kwannon

Otherworldly, mysterious, ethereal and ritualistic, Kwannon defies easy categorization. Influences range from medieval music to opera, chant, Pagan ritual and mythology, Victorian and Romantic poets, and the Carmina Gadelica.

Formerly of the wyrd folk band Belladonna Bouquet and the short-lived Blue Lotus, Jenne is a poet and classically trained singer who plays folk instruments from around the world, ranging from the Appalachian dulcimer to the Finnish kantele, Malagasy valiha, Celtic harp and Punjabi bulbul tarang. Jenne also taught herself recording, and produces all of Kwannon's albums (with some much-appreciated mastering help). You can read Jenne's poetry and polytheistic musings on her blog.

Shoshen, who joins Jenne in Kwannon's most recent recordings, can get a complex and interesting rhythm out of damn near anything -- from kitchen utensils and the steering wheel to the udu, doumbek and djembe. He spent his younger years in an Ithaca-area rock band.

Jenne and Shoshen live in Binghamton, New York.