In Memory of Dante Bucci

HangOut, USA and the entire handpan community is deeply saddened by the loss of a great handpan artist, Dante Bucci. His creative spirit will be deeply missed. Our love extends to his family, friends and fans in this time of loss.

“Our handpan family lost a brother today (Dante Bucci). I know everybody in the family is beside themselves with this tragic loss.” -Mama Mojo

Dante Bucci at HOUSA 2014

“He was the master of unique and unusual instruments,” remembers Philly singer-songwriter Mutlu Onaral, with whom Bucci regularly collaborated. “He could take anything, mess around with it, and in a half hour make it groove and sound good. That really manifested itself with the hang drum. He took it to an incredible level, what he was able to do with it.” (from Remembering Dante Bucci: A unique voice in Philadelphia music on WXPN.org)

dante_housa2014.1 — Dante Bucci playing a saw at HOUSA 2014.

2 thoughts on “In Memory of Dante Bucci”

Docterry McGrath

August 18, 2014 at 8:06 pm

Here is a clip of Dante and I from Philadelphia Folk Festival in 2008…the birth of The HANG Brothers…of course he went on to be the virtuoso of the instrument…Docterry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT1L18CzAvM
Mz. imani

August 19, 2014 at 11:02 am

<3 and more <3

Comments are closed.

" Dante, oh Dante, the Inferno that burns in my heart upon reading of your passing is painfully hot and chars my core.

"You were the most innovative handpan player I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I was always inspired and in awe of your seamless ability to weave compositions out of thin air with accurate precision and delicate strokes, repeated again and again exactly as the first time. I could only dream of having such precision and focus. Your music reached millions in such a short time, and really touched our hearts deeply. You brought the handpan into the forefront of the world percussive scene, and gave birth to a passionate fire to plenty of people who found the handpan for the first time through the videos that you shared.

"You are gone, and it hurts deeply. I may never fully understand why you were taken so early. Perhaps angels are taken from this plane to give us a greater hope for what our own lives can become. Its never easy, and I am so grateful for what you have shared. In your absence we all will grow stronger. We are encouraged to follow our dreams, write our songs, share our wisdom, and spend each and every moment as if it will be our last. I cringe at how to make my next set list for HangOut USA, as we always enjoyed figuring out where to place your powerful awe inspiring music. You will be deeply missed, and we must all take our passions to the next level in honor of the abrupt end to your creative prowess."

<3
Rusty

"From hero, to peer, to friend...it is with my entire being that I feel the loss of Dante Bucci. Over the years of festivals I had the distinct pleasure to run workshops with him, discuss and teach the finer points of playing handpans. He pushed the limits of what we thought was possible and did it with grace and ease. He inspired the world over and his passing will be mourned by all those lucky enough to know him and his music. Rest in peace my friend, you are already missed."

- Colin Foulke