"A lush musical invitation to a realm beyond time and between species. Jami Sieber’s electric cello, in concert with other renowned musicians and the Elephant Orchestra of Thailand, carries us on a unique journey that sings of the heart’s deepest longing and of its fulfillment." I could never have predicted that an animal such as the elephant, would summon me to awaken and recognize the inherent connection underlying all that appears separate. In the midst of the sheer joy that permeates life with the elephants, one must walk with the constant grief of their captivity and the perpetual threat of their extinction. In this CD, my mission has been to embody both the grief and the joy I knew while in their presence. In 2001 my friend, and filmmaker, Galen Garwood, invited me to Thailand to meet and play music with the Thai Elephant Orchestra. Galen knew long before I did that the elephants would profoundly affect my music. There, at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, I met Phong, the young elephant who played a xylophone (renat) and kissed me on my nose with his trunk, and Prathida, the drummer who followed the movement of my bow with her trunk as I played. With them and at least eight other orchestra members, I experienced a mystical collaboration I had never known before. This communion has forever changed the way I see and feel the natural world. In addition to Galen, I thank Richard Lair, Prassop Tipprasert, and the mahouts at the Conservation Center and Soraida Salwala at the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital, who shared with grace their expertise and respect for the elephant. I have come to know that elephants have a creative rhythm, intelligence and language. It doesn't matter whether or not their music fits our definition. What matters is that music is a bridge that connects us. The ineffable richness of my meeting with the elephants in the shared moment of our music sustains me and gives me hope that we may remember our connection to all beings on this beloved earth. Once upon a time, Richard Lair invited me to "go to your elephant self". I now invite you. Musicians and credits: Produced by Ryan Hadlock, Jami Sieber and don benedictson Jami Sieber- electric cello, vocals, acoustic cello, ankglung Nancy Wilson- classical guitar Rick Heizman- Korean zither (Kayagum), Burmese twirling temple bells, Burmese harp (saung byat), tar Benjy Wertheimer- esraj, tabla, djembe, shakers don benedictson- electric bass The Thai Elephant Orchestra- angklung, renat, gong, drum Eyvind Kang- viola Rick Lazar- timba, riq, udu, caxixi, shakers, triangla Hans Teuber- soprano sax Rhiannon- vocals Ya Elah- Croatian Vocals (Bon Singer, Alisa Fineman, Cyrise Beatty, Marsha Attie, Nina Perlman)