Wouter Kellerman

UP TO THE MOUNTAIN

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King dreamed of a worldwide love that transcended race, religion, and background. Patty Griffin gave melody to that vision in this song — and in this soaring, gospel-infused rendition, Kellerman takes listeners again to the mountain peak, lifted upwards by full band, choir, and the lush colors of his flute.

Written by Patty Griffin 
Produced by Melissa van der Spuy and Wouter Kellerman
Published by One Big Love Music/ Universal

Piano, programming and arrangement: Melissa van der Spuy
Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Violin: Jan-Hendrik Harley
Cello: Anjulie Nock
Bass: Schalk Joubert
Drums: Kevin Gibson
Guitars: Juan-Pierre Oosthuizen
Vocals: Margaret Motsage, Nonhlanhla Mdluli & Sbongile Damans

Recorded by Jürgen von Wechmar at Sunset Recording Studios, Stellenbosch
Organ recorded by Robyn Walsh at Undahaus recording studio, Johannesburg
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


04 Up To The Mountain

SOLO TU / STILL LIFE

Love blossoms not just for those we meet and care for, but for great art as well. Case in point, Kellerman found himself deeply enraptured with the 2002 film Frida, which tells the story of surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Riviera. Kellerman became equally enraptured with a single, exquisite moment in the film’s soundtrack, which he re-imagines here with lush and evocative orchestration. 

Written by Elliot Goldenthal 
Produced by Melissa van der Spuy and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Walt Disney Music/ Gallo

Flute and alto flute:Wouter Kellerman
Guitar: Luke van der Merwe
Piano, organ, programming and arrangement: Melissa van der Spuy
Violin: Jan-Hendrik Harley
Cello: Anjulie Nock

Recorded by Jürgen von Wechmar at Sunset Recording Studios, Stellenbosch
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


06 Solo Tu  Still Life

TO TANGO TIS NEFELIS

Inspired by Greek singer Zaris Alexiou’s rendition, Kellerman sculpts his own interpretation of this sinuous musical myth through tantalizing percussion, sparkling guitar, and his signature storytelling flute. Taryn Louch’s entrancing vocal performance tells of the cloud nymph Nefelis, who is pursued and treated ill by two mischievous angels who become enamored with her. Mighty Zeus steps in, though, and transforms her into a cloud so that she can be free from torment — a bittersweet reminder that love does not always play out as we might expect it to. 

Written by Loreena McKennitt/ Xaris Alexiou
Produced by Mauritz Lotz and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Quinlan Road Music Ltd

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Vocals: Taryn Louch
Drums: Vinnie Henrico
Guitars, Keyboards and programming: Mauritz Lotz
Bass: Denny Lalouette
Additional percussion: David Klassen 
Piano: Matthys Maree
Additional vocals: Veronique Lalouette

Vocals, piano and guitars recorded at The Space bar by Harshn Reddy
Drums and vocals recorded at The Drum room by Harshn Reddy
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


07 To Tango Tis Nefelis

TURNING PAGE

Originally recorded by Sleeping At Last, this song speaks to the eternal life of love: 
I’ve waited a hundred years, but I’d wait a million more for you. Nothing prepared me for what the privilege of being yours would do. “Turning Page” whispered these words of devotion into millions of ears worldwide via the epic vampire love film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — and the song took on special meaning for Kellerman when, at special request from his daughter-in-law, he performed it at the wedding between her and his son. Now, he is thrilled to introduce the composition to his musical community through this album, with California artist Jenna Lavoie contributing the track’s timeless and effervescent vocals.

Composed by Ryan Curtis O'Neal
Arranged by Chong Lim
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Chop Shop Music Berwyn / Asteroid B612

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Lead Vocals: Jenna Lavoie
Piano: Jennifer Thomas and Chong Lim
Drums: Angus Burchall
Guitars: Stuart Fraser
Percussion: Tim Hook
Harp: Matt Garcia
Harp Produced by: Erwilian
Piano, Bass and Synthesizers: Chong Lim
Programming: Chong Lim
Strings: The Australian Urban Orchestra:
Violins: Sally Cooper, Francesca Hiew, Jenny Khafagi, Aaron Barnden, Rebecca Adler, Tim Veldman
Violas: Will Clark, Airlie Koo
Celli: Michael Dahlenburg, Sharon Draper
String Contractor: Airlie Koo
Strings Arranged and conducted by Chong Lim

Recorded at RIver Studios, Melbourne, Australia By Carl Schubert and Chong Lim
Piano and Strings recorded at Allan Eaton Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Vocals recorded at Bill Hare Productions, Milpitas, CA by Bill Hare 
Piano recorded at Tickled Ivory Music, by Jennifer Thomas
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman
Harp Recorded at: Cascadia in Kent, Washington, USA by Jordan Buetow, John Hintze, and Scott Melton


08 Turning Page

SHENANDOAH

Though this traditional American folk song has come to possess several different sets of lyrics, one story stands out: The tale of a love between a French trader and the daughter of a Native American chief that serves as a bridge between worlds. Kellerman illustrates the classic tune with flute, choir, and beyond. 

Composition: traditional
Arranged by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Choir Produced by Ricky Kej
Choir Arranged by Ricky Kej, Dave Gross, Alexis D'Souza 
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Lead Vocals: Alexis D’Souza
Drums: Angus Burchall
Percussion: James Mack
Piano, Bass and Synthesizers: Chong Lim
Programming: Chong Lim
Score Prep: Robert Puff, Brian Mahoney
Choir (India): Alexis D'Souza, Deepa Jacob, Mark Lazaro
Choir (Seattle Pro Musica): Katie Skovholt, Jill Kimball, Miriam Gnagy, Elizabeth Sanders, Wes Kim, Peter Lifland
Guitar: Todd Boston

Recorded at RIver Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert and Chong Lim
Piano recorded at Allan Eaton Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Choir (India) Recorded by Vanil Veigas and Ricky Kej at Raveolution Studios, India
Choir (Seattle Pro Musica) Recorded at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, USA by Geoff Ott
Guitar Recorded at Magic Cottage Studios, USA by Todd Boston
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


09 Shenandoah

GUAJIRA

Love seduces with a song of flame and flirtation in this piece, a Cuban and Spanish-bred Flamenco, normally realized in a duo dance of guitar and voice, but reinvented here with Kellerman’s flute taking the lead.
	“Guajira is a form know as Cante de Ida y Vuelta — songs of back-and-forth travels,” describes Adam del Monte, who contributes effortlessly smoldering guitar work to the track, complemented as well by Luis Conte’s lithe percussion. “Sugar cane workers from Andalusia in Spain would travel to Cuba for business and would be exposed to the local songs of the country.” The result? A musical wedding between cultures: While the Flamenco Guajira draws its twelve-beat cycle from Spanish Bulerias, the form’s harmonies and melodies are inherited much more strongly from its Caribbean heritage. 
	This track is an original composition, romancing listeners within the boundaries and style of a true Flamenco Guajira. Yet, by using Latin percussion, del Monte says, “it draws from its Cuban roots as well.”

Produced by Val Garay and Wouter Kellerman
Composed by Adam del Monte and Wouter Kellerman
Arranged by Adam del Monte and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)


Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Guitar: Adam del Monte
Percussion: Luis Conte
Cajon:  Kassandra Kocoshis
Bass: Asaf Kofler

Recorded at The Barn Studios, Topanga Ca, by Val Garay
Additional Engineering: Branden Stroup
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman 


10 Guajira

NOTRE FUTUR

This composition, a joyous and bittersweet tribute to lost friends and precious memories of time spent together, calls for building a more loving place, so that future memories can be even sweeter.
            Sung in French, NOTRE FUTUR first tells of someone who perishes from a gun shot in the night, never to see the sun rise again. The piece goes on to call for a more peaceful world, marked by a greater level of caring for one another.
            “I am crying, but listen to me,” the lyrics conclude. “With love, we can have a better place.”

Written by Lamine Sonko, Wouter Kellerman, Della Tamin and Alain B. Nzeuming
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman 
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Lead vocals: Della Tamin and Lamine Sonko 
Acoustic Guitar and Percussion: Lamine Soko
Bass and Synthesizers: Chong Lim
Programming: Chong Lim
Choir: Soweto Gospel Choir
Backing vocals:  Lamine Sonko, Janine Maunder, Angela Librandi and Joe Creighton
Vocal production: Mauritz Lotz

Recorded at River Studios in Melbourne by Carl Schubert and Chong Lim
Soweto Gospel Choir recorded at Joe’s Garage in Johannesburg by JB Arthur
Della Tamin recorded at Moya Sound in Johannesburg by Goran Josipovic
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


11 Notre Futur

THE LONG ROAD

Kellerman composed this piece as a biographical tribute to Nelson Mandela, seeking to paint Madiba’s story through colors drawn purely from solo flute. 
Here, he describes the piece’s journey through the life of the great South African leader: 
It starts with his childhood, growing up in rural Transkei, where he was very close to nature and spent time in the fields herding cattle. When writing the song, I was thinking of him sitting by his flock, listening to the beautiful sounds of nature, which even then must have been tinged with a touch of sadness, showing what was to come in his life. 
The middle section of the piece starts when he moves to Johannesburg. The peacefulness of nature makes space for the hustle and bustle of city life, as well as a train of events that would take control of his life and gather a momentum of its own. The percussive nature of this section indicates the runaway train of events, and the bits of the flute and vocal percussion is indicative of the influence that Ghandi’s idea of peaceful resistance had in his life at the time. 
In the last section, Mandela retires and finally has time to spend with his family and be peaceful again. The piece ends on an unfinished note, showing that even though his life is over, his influence and memory will carry on and sustain us far into the future.

Written by Wouter Kellerman
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)
Flute played and recorded by Wouter Kellerman at Kellerman Music 



12 The Long Road

The love of brotherhood, whether forged by blood or circumstance, can be unbreakable. Just look at the partnership forged between Kellerman and his Winds of Samsara collaborator, Ricky Kej, as proof of how mutual respect and admiration can span oceans and result in beautiful works of art — including this powerful and uplifting track, which the team composed, recorded, and produced together across thousands of miles. “Aishwarya” tells the story of a young country girl seemingly destined for a simple life of domesticity. Instead, she summons the courage to disrupt tradition and defy expectations, to leave her home and study, to build a better life for herself, her family, and her community. This beautiful arrangement speaks to the love we must have for ourselves in order to make great risks — and follow even greater dreams. 

Composed by Ricky Kej
Produced by Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman
Arranged by Ricky Kej
Published by Raveolution Studios (BMI)

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Keyboards and Programming: Ricky Kej
Additional Keyboards: Vanil Veigas, Keerthy Narayan
Strings Arrangements: Herald Anthony (Kochin Strings Ensemble), Keerthy Narayan
Violins: Herald Antony, Francis TS, Francis Xavier, Josekutty, Chacko, Mariadas
Viola: Herald Anthony, Francis Xavier, Francis TS, Jose Kutty
Cello: Herald Antony
Brass Arrangements and Orchestration: Don Hart
French Horn: Jennifer Kummer, Beth Beeson
Trumpet: Jeff Bailey, Steve Patrick
Trombone: Paul Jenkins, Barry Green
Tuba: Gil Long
Vocal Contractor, Choir Arrangements and Orchestrations: Paul Teipe
Additional Choral Arrangements: Matthew LoPresti
Choir: Amanda Compton, Rosalind Lee, Sarah Ponder Brock, Amy Pickering, Harold Brock, Micah Dingler, Robert Potsic, Ryan Cox
Bass: Dominic D'Cruz
Percussion: Praveen D' Rao

Recorded by Vanil Veigas and Ricky Kej at Raveolution Studios, India
Brass recorded by Bobby Shinn at Ocean Way Studios, Nashville
Choir recorded by Craig Williams at Dr. CAW Recording, Chicago
Flute recorded by Robert Eibach at Del Oro Music, Los Angeles
Additional Engineering at Dharmapala Records, LA, by Vito Gregoli


01 Aishwarya

WINTER 
(featuring Soweto Gospel Choir) 

Is love an art? Then it requires knowledge and effort. — Erich Fromm

Great classical composers like Antonio Vivaldi have spoken the language of love with unmatched fluency, translating its transcendent power into timeless melodies and harmonies. Here, an excerpt from Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons is given new life through the vivid voices of the Soweto Gospel Choir— and Kellerman’s unmistakable solo flute voice leading the way.

Composed by Antonio Vivaldi
Arranged by Wessel van Rensburg
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Synthesizers: Chong Lim
Programming: Chong Lim
Strings: The Australian Urban Orchestra:
Violins: Sally Cooper, Francesca Hiew, Jenny Khafagi, Aaron Barnden, Rebecca Adler, Tim Veldman
Violas: Will Clark, Airlie Koo
Celli: Michael Dahlenburg, Sharon Draper
String Contractor: Airlie Koo
Choir: Soweto Gospel Choir
Strings Arranged and conducted by Chong Lim

Recorded at RIver Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Strings recorded at Allan Eaton Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


02 Winter

SI DO MHAIMEO

This traditional Irish song speaks of a young man on the verge of marrying an older woman for her wealth. Will he marry her, the song asks, and will he drink away her fortune as soon as he gains it? Kellerman weaves this tongue-in-cheek tale with jaunty and playful flights of flute and orchestra.

Composition: Traditional
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Arranged by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO)

Flute and Bass Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Nylon String Guitar: Ciro Hurtado
Acoustic Guitar: Brett Garsed, 
Violin: Rocio Marron
Bass: Tom Peters
Percussion: Tim Hook, James Mack, Kevin Lucas
Marimba: Kevin Lucas
Piano  and Synthesizers: Chong Lim
Programming: Chong Lim
Strings: The Australian Urban Orchestra:
Violins: Sally Cooper, Francesca Hiew, Jenny Khafagi, Aaron Barnden, Rebecca Adler, Tim Veldman
Violas: Will Clark, Airlie Koo
Celli: Michael Dahlenburg, Sharon Draper
String Contractor: Airlie Koo
Strings Arranged and conducted by Chong Lim

Recorded at River Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert and Chong Lim
Strings recorded at Allan Eaton Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert 

Bass recorded at Del Oro Music, Los Angeles by Robert Eibach
Percussion and Marimba recorded at Recorded at Misunderstudio in Murphysboro, Illinois by Mike Lescelius 
Nylon String guitar recorded at Ciro Studios in LA by Ciro Hurtado
Violin recorded at Mcknight Studios in LA by Rocio Marron
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman




03 Si Do Mhaimeo

ZININZI
(featuring The Soil)
From Johannesburg to New York, Rio de Janeiro to Tokyo, fascinating cities have drawn so many of us into life-changing affairs of the heart. Yet as this propulsive track makes clear, great things can blossom just as fruitfully outside the concrete jungle as within. Kellerman composed this ode to the countryside with multi-platinum-selling South African acapella singing group The Soil. Here, he revisits the song’s rollicking hills and rolling meadows with tight vocal harmonies and drivingly percussive grooves.

Composed by Wouter Kellerman, Ntsika Fana Ngxanga, Luphindo Ngxanga and Buhle Mda
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Published by Kellerman Music (SAMRO) and The Soil music publishing/Active Music Publishers

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Vocals: The Soil
Guitar: Joel Klein
Bass: Mandla Zikalala
Drums: Rob Watson
Keyboards: Chong Lim

Drums, guitar and bass recorded at Ian Osrin Studios in Johannesburg by Ian Osrin
Vocals recorded at Native Rhythms Recording Studio in Johannesburg by Mpho Hlahla
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


05 Zininzi

LOVE GETS OLD

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. — Mother Teresa
Though love can manifest in intricate sonnets, songs, and soliloquies, it’s often most poignant when spoken in the softest and simplest of terms. In this reimagining of the Chris Botti recording, Kelly Hall-Tompkins’ heartbreaking violin and Kellerman’s floating flute do just that, dancing together in sweet and simple honesty.

Composed by Holly Palmer / Benji Hughes
Produced by Chong Lim and Wouter Kellerman
Arranged by Chong Lim
Published by Warner Music obo Children of the Forrest Music / David Gresham obo Windswept

Flute: Wouter Kellerman
Violin: Kelly Hall-Tompkins
Piano and synthesizers: Chong Lim
Synthesizers: Michael Gallant
Programming: Chong Lim
Keyboard and Synths: Michael Gallant and Chong Lim
Recorded at RIver Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Piano recorded at Allan Eaton Studios, Melbourne, Australia by Carl Schubert
Violin recorded at Shelter Island Sound in NYC by Steve Addabbo
Flute recorded at Kellerman Music by Wouter Kellerman


Wouter Kellerman

Suzyana