Jocéan is a handpan/vocal/frame drum artist, performer, and holistic facilitator rooted on Orcas Island in the Salish Sea. The rich harmonics of the handpan create a soundscape for her evocative and emotionally rich vocals, inviting listeners into an activated trance state. She draws her inspiration from the elemental forces of nature so present on the watery isle where she resides. Niece of legendary percussionist Jamey Haddad, Jocéan's rhythmic sensibility expands commonly understood notions of time, blending Indian rhythmic theory with Middle Eastern frame drum concepts to offer a fusion uniquely her own. From intimate acoustic offerings to mainstage downtempo beats, she truly is a visionary in the world of handpan music, taking it to new heights by showcasing the instrument's versatility in a variety of contexts.
She sees each performance as a ritual and ceremony of its own, where she remains open to what wishes to come through—which sometimes means improvisational collaborations with other musicians or inviting audience participation. Many of her songs are birthed in ceremonial states as prayers for the Earth and humanity. Her intention is for her music to be a balm for the soul, touching and inspiring the heart to feel the depth of life's beautiful mystery.
She is often joined by her partner Burke, whose flute playing is channeled from the heart, soaring above the rhythmic container she creates with effortless ease.
Her sets are perfect for opening ceremonies to cultivate reverent energy or for early evening to ground beings before journeying into the late night.
She is working on a downtempo electro-acoustic handpan EP called "She Rises" and various other collaborations and projects.
Imagine the bass of Deya Dova, the lush production of Yaima, and the vocal timbre and mantra-esque lyrics of Nessi Gomes. You can listen to the first track in this vein called "Children of the Earth" on all streaming platforms.
photography by Burke Mulvany Photography
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Jocéan truly believes that the Handpan is here at this time to aid the evolution of human consciousness towards wholeness.
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She is grateful to be offering her music as a salve for the soul of the world at this time.
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channeled
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source
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Dates coming soon…
Mission & Vision
To use the handpan, frame drum & voice to aid in the process of re:membering
To make space and prioritize listening to the muse as she rattles
To serve a purpose on this earth as a conduit for sound that acts as a transmission from source to the collective
To inspire deep listening & harmonious living with nature through the universal mathematical principles of sound
To be actively engaged in using vibration as a way to move emotion (energy in motion).
Jocéan is…
An untraditional take on vocal mantra laid over atmospheric and nature inspired handpan music to bring us in deeper touch with the Spirit of Music that animates all of creation. Music channeled from source to touch the soul…
Jocéan
is a highly sensitive soul, a
multi-faceted artist, sound healer, vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, & holistic facilitator based on Orcas Island near Seattle, WA in the Pacific Northwest. She teaches both the frame drum and handpan with a specific focus supporting women in generating their confidence with the instrument.
The niece of Jamey Haddad, a world-renowned/grammy nominated percussionist, she is deeply inspired and moved by rhythm, melody and harmony.
She started playing music at a very young age picking up the violin at age 7 and continuing on to play over 10 instruments including a variety of percussion.
She embraces all artistic mediums and holds music very close to her heart. The music that she channels is both personal and relatable, meditative and activating. Her intention is to be a clear reflection through A.R.T.(abstracted in real time)-to deepen into the human experience-& 2 awaken from the collective slumber.
Her lyrics are often channeled in deep meditative trances she enters while playing the handpan or other instruments. Sometimes they appear as Mantras-vehicles for activation that the audience can join in and sing along, sometimes they come in as wordless sound expressions.
JOCÉAN receives deep inspiration and energy from the natural environment around her. Her personal musical influences vary immensely from Paul Simon to Olafur Arnalds, Bjork to Dean Evenson. She describes her music as New-Age meets Neo-Classical using the handpan as a tool of alchemy to immerse isteners in a unique sonic world that transports and helps people to connect deeper with themselves and source.
You will often here her own field recordings from solo nature journeys incorporated into her handpan compositions. She sees this dance between the harmonics of nature and the harmonics of the handpan as a tool of remembrance for listeners.
Josephine "JOCÉAN" Dow also teaches handpan & frame drum to women via zoom and in-person. Learn more about her offerings here by visiting her contact page directly.
Björk, Paul Simon, John + Alice Coltrane, Olafur Arnalds, Dean Evenson, Laura Inserra, Jamey Haddad, Yaima
Musical Influences
Instruments
Handpan…
Voice, Frame Drum, Doumbek, Silver Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Guitar, Percussion + more
LIVE @ Blooming Heart 2022
Vocalizing with the Improvised Group “The Unstruck Sound”
Sound of Place Project
Channeled Handpan transmissions in sacred nature locations inspired by the ephemeral alchemy of person, place, source, and the spirit of music.
Sound of Place: Iceland
Summer 2023!
“Dawns early light awakens the deep, rebirthing comes alchemically.”
-“Jocéan”
Handpan + Nature Sounds EP “EPHEMERA” out now.
This immersive 3 track EP was recorded on magical Orcas Island in the Salish Sea in the Spring of 2021. The album captures the hope of spring, played delicately on a beautiful stainless E Sabye Handpan by Hamsa Handpans. The added nature sounds help to bring the harmonics of this soothing music to life.