Jeremy Arndt: Biography of an American handpan player

Have you recently discovered the compositions of musician and percussionist Jeremy Arndt? Did you find his handpan performances outstanding and want to learn more about his career? What has Jeremy Arndt’s musical journey been like? What are his best tracks and songs?

I first stumbled across Jeremy Arndt more than five years ago, by chance, after coming across one of his melodies on YouTube. I was instantly captivated by his compositions, so I’ve been keeping up with his latest work from time to time ever since. As a result, I can share plenty of interesting details about Jeremy Arndt.

By reading this article, you will learn:

• The musical career of this talented percussionist
• His complete discography

This will help satisfy your curiosity about this outstanding musician, who continues to release ever more inspiring, creative, and harmonically rich content.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the life of Jeremy Arndt.

Who is Jérémy Arndt, the handpan player?

Originally from Michigan (United States), Jeremy Arndt has established himself as one of the most prolific handpan virtuosos in the world of “new age” and meditative music. Since 2009, he has traveled the globe, drawing on the musical traditions of every continent. His journeys have taken him from Moroccan riads to tango bars in Bulgaria, through remote villages in Africa, and all the way to Barcelona’s famous Park Güell. Over the course of his career, he says he has performed nearly 1,000 concerts across five continents and played in around 20 countries. This international experience has shaped a distinctly “world music” style: his compositions often blend the handpan with other percussion instruments for a soft, soothing sound.

The handpan, a dome-shaped metal instrument sometimes called Hang drum, is at the heart of his music. Jeremy Arndt uses it to create serene atmospheres that are “gentle and inspired by music from around the world.” His handpan playing is complemented by many other instruments, making him a versatile multi-instrumentalist. His arsenal includes:

• Handpan (Hang): his instrument of choice
• Didgeridoo : an Australian wind instrument he often incorporates into his tracks
• Guitar and synthesizers : he adds electronic layers (the Heavenly3lues project) to deepen his soundscapes
• Gongs and singing bowls : used during sound relaxation and meditation sessions, particularly as part of his “sound journeys”

Jeremy Arndt’s approach naturally connects music and well-being. For more than ten years, he has been pairing handpan music with yoga and meditation practices. With yoga teacher Nancy Grzeszak, his artistic partner, he co-founded the “Settle Into Stillness” program. This mindful relaxation concept combines yoga sessions with immersive concerts. In practice, each “Sound Journey” event blends a varied set of instruments (handpan, didgeridoo, crystal gongs, singing bowls, etc.) with guided meditation. Jeremy and Nancy also organize international spiritual retreats. Past destinations include Bali (Indonesia, 2016 and 2018), the island of Lesvos (Greece, 2017 and 2022), and Morocco (2019). These retreats blend yoga, guided meditation, and live music to offer participants a deeply relaxing experience.

What are the musical projects of this artist and Hang drum musician?

Jeremy Arndt has taken part in numerous collaborations and varied musical projects, sometimes playing with other big names in the handpan world such as Dante Bucci. Under the Heavenly3lues project, which he calls his “obsessive passion,” he explores electroacoustic fusion. After listening to the renowned experimental handpan album Kumea Sound in 2013, he dove into analog electronic production—modular synths and drum machines—which he blends with handpan, didgeridoo, guitar, and more. The first Heavenly3lues album, The Sound of Silence (2017), was released in this electro-ambient vein. You can listen to it below:

His musical ensemble also includes other artists: he has collaborated with the Australian group 8 Hands of Sound (a handpan/world fusion group) and the Malian collective Groupe Sans Frontières, reflecting his intercultural openness.

Jeremy Arndt has released several solo albums, both acoustic and electronic. These include:

• Journeys (2011)
• Journeys: Handpan Solo (2013, album funded by Kickstarter)
• Satya (2014), Dante’s Song (2015)
• The Sound of Silence (2017, under Heavenly3lues)
• Handpan Solo: The Yurt Sessions (2019)
• Handpan Solo: River Sessions (2021)
• Distant Vistas: Explorations for Handpan and Modular Synthesizer (2023)

His most recent album, Solace, was released in late 2024. These records have found their audience: his compositions now have over 5 million plays on music streaming platforms, making Jeremy Arndt one of the most-listened-to handpan artists online.

Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation with a harmonious handpan

Jeremy Arndt is a musician deeply focused on escape and well-being. Combining the captivating sound of the handpan with his passion for travel and yoga, he offers accessible, meditative music. With the information you’ve read in this article, you now know much more about the projects and world built by this outstanding percussionist.

That said, relaxing with a handpan almost always starts with owning a high-quality instrument with warm, mellow tones. With that in mind, I personally recommend the Instruments du Monde store, which offers dozens of models to help you find your perfect sound. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, you’re sure to love this oriental-style, 10-note handpan tuned to D Kurd.

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In a different vein, blending the classic and the exotic, take a few minutes to discover the work of Adam Maalouf, a musician of Lebanese origin who plays the handpan like a true virtuoso. He is now considered one of the leading names in handpan on the international scene.