BIO

Layering traditional kirtan with instantly accessible melodies and modern instrumentation, Krishna Das has been called yoga's "rock star." With a remarkably soulful voice that touches the deepest chord in even the most casual listener, Krishna Das – known to friends, family, and fans as simply KD – has taken the call-and-response chanting out of yoga centers and into concert halls, becoming a worldwide icon and the best-selling western chant artist of all time. His album 'Live Ananda' (released January 2012) was nominated for a Grammy in the Best New Age album category.

KD spent the late '60's traveling across the country as a student of Ram Dass, and in August 1970, he finally made the journey to India, which led him to Ram Dass' own beloved guru, Neem Karoli Baba, known to most as Maharaj-ji.

Given the name Krishna Das, KD began to chant as part of following the path of Bhakti yoga – the yoga of devotion.

BIO

Jai Uttal has played Motown songs in cover bands and busked for change on the streets. Both of those experiences have stood him in good stead for his musical career, which finds his music straddling the divide between world and new age. Born in New York City in 1952, Uttal grew up in the music business — his father worked for a record label — and at the age of seven he began piano lessons. Those were followed by banjo, guitar, and harmonica as Uttal began to discover American roots music, most especially the old-time banjo picking of Appalachian musician Roscoe Holcomb. But his true spiritual epiphany came when he was 17 and first heard Indian music, which "touched my heart like sounds of my home," he said. "Then I got all the Indian albums I could, and jammed along on guitar with Ravi Shankar records."

His obsession became so great that at the age of 19 he headed for the West Coast, to study sarod and voice with the legendary Ali Akhbar Khan. Eighteen months after that he traveled even further — to India itself, to experience the music and the culture first-hand. Renting a house in the Bengal city of Bhopur for $15 a month, he came to know singing street musicians the Bauls of Bengal, and started playing and traveling with them.

On his return to the U.S., he became more diligent in his study of Indian music, while supporting himself by playing guitar in bands whose material ranged from Motown covers to punk to blues. His break came in 1991 when Triloka released his debut, Footprints, which included an appearance by jazz and world music innovator Don Cherry. With his band, the Pagan Love Orchestra, Uttal continued to mine spiritual, Indian-inflected music two years later on Monkey, which hit the Top Ten on the world music charts. Uttal also found himself producing his mentor, Khan, for two records, Journey and Garden of Dreams, which found the maestro working with a Western orchestra for the first time. Uttal's next release, 1994's Beggars and Saints was his tribute to the Bauls of Bengal, in thanks for his formative time in Bhopur. Three years later came Shiva Station, which was mixed by innovative producer Bill Laswell. After that he concentrated on touring with his band rather than recording.

A compilation of his four Triloka albums appeared as Spirit Room in July 2000, shortly before the self-released Live Kirtan and Pagan Remixes, which, along with remixes of three Pagan Love Orchestra tracks, was comprised of chanting by Uttal recorded live in a yoga studio. It was followed by another remix EP, Guru Brahma/Malkouns, which included two cuts mixed by Asian Underground star Talvin Singh.

BIO

Flame carriers of a 5,000 year old tradition, Deva Premal and Miten are at the forefront of the burgeoning world-wide chant phenomenon.

They are one of the major contributors to the soundtrack of just about every 21st century alternative healing modality, from rehab/detox/stress management clinics to yoga studios, spas and meditation centres, shamanic gatherings and ceremonies in the depths of the Amazon, and throughout the world.

Merging ancient mantras of India and Tibet with contemporary musical settings, their debut album The Essence introduced a unique musical genre. The album rocked to the top of World and New Age charts where it still remains. (Deva Premal: The Essence – 1999)

Since the release of The Essence, Deva & Miten have tapped into an apparently unending stream of uplifting and inspirational music, with over 17 albums released, and sales exceeding one million.

BIO

David Newman’s greatest gift is his willingness to listen to his inner voice and open his heart to be of service to others. David guides and inspires fellow travelers on their paths, through his uplifting music and the valuable insights that he shares through his writings and teachings.

David’s life took a dramatic change in direction when after graduating law school in 1992, he decided to open a yoga center in his hometown of Philadelphia. The center, Yoga on Main, was one of the first of its kind, and created a new awareness of Yoga in his community. Shortly thereafter, David, a lifelong musician, discovered an ancient form of healing chant music known as Kirtan and began to apply his musical gifts to this powerful practice and to share it with others.

As a result of his immersion into Kirtan coupled with his long history as a songwriter, David began a new journey and in early 2003, recorded his first album entitled Soul Freedom. Two years later, a second CD followed. The album, Lotus Feet, received critical acclaim and was featured on NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’. David’s music spread rapidly within the worldwide conscious community and caught the attention of yoga enthusiast Terry McBride, who also happened to be the founder of Nettwerk Records, Canada’s largest record label and home to such artists as Sarah Mclachlan, Barenaked Ladies and Passenger. David signed with Nettwerk in 2008. Since then David has gone on to release numerous recordings and has toured throughout the world. David, acknowledged for bridging the gap between contemporary western music and meditative mantras, has been an integral part of the spiritual or yogic music movement and is a frequent headliner in many yoga and music festivals and conferences that take place around the globe.

In addition to his heart opening music, David has touched and inspired others through his teachings on loving unconditionally, both as a way of life and as a means toward spiritual awakening. David shared his own personal story of awakening in his best-selling book, The Timebound Traveler, released in 2014.

David has also devoted himself to charitable, and humanitarian causes through The Stay Strong Project, which he launched in 2011. The Stay Strong Project has released two singles and videos featuring luminaries from the yoga and music community in partnership with Global Green USA. All the proceeds of the releases have gone to support such environmental causes as the Gulf oil spill cleanup of 2010, and the building of green schools.

David’s latest project is a collaboration with members of Paul Simon’s band. This new music represents an evolution of David’s journey and a desire to share a universal message of solidarity in heart to a wider audience through the power of song. The CD’s expected release is in early 2015.

David’s strongest desire is to bring joy to others through his music, teachings and personal connections. He continues to express his passion and inspiration in creative and groundbreaking ways, and sees his life’s work simply as ‘spreading the love.’

David records and often travels with his wife Mira, a celebrated devotional singer, and percussionist. David and Mira live with their darling daughter, Tulsi, just outside of Philadelphia.

BIO

Amae Love is an eclectic singer / songwriter with a sultry, soulful voice that embodies a modern approach to soul, blues, R&B and jazz. Similar to artists like Amy Winehouse & Adele, Amae takes the best of that classic vintage sound and combines it with soulful, bluesy melodies paired with positive & empowering lyrics. She likes to call this style “Singin’ the Purples” as in: a higher consciousness version of the blues. Amae is a multi-faceted talent whose skills as performer include Improvisation, MC’ing, hoop dance, DJ’ing, Dance, and guitar.

Amae’s most recent & exciting musical offering is “The Amae-zing Birthday song!” This is an extremely catchy & fun little gospel / soul ditty meant to slowly replace our old, tired birthday dirge. Amae is a HUGE fan of birthdays and could not be more excited about her role of The “Birthday Instigator”. After raising funds on Kickstarter to produce a full-scale music video featuring a wild and wacky cast of characters, the result is finally ready for the world. (the link will be on this page by Friday)

Amae has recently performed all over the West Coast festival circuit, Vegas, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Green Show. Some shining moments include opening up for Zap Mama at Earthdance Festival, a full stage show at BOOM festival in Portugal, and opening up for Theivery Corporation at West Coast Festival Lightining in a Bottle. For the last 4 years she has also been the lead singer / narrator for Performance art / Theater troupes Liquid Fire Mantra And Seraphim, whose stage performances feature some of the world’s best fire dancers, large-scale projections, professional dance and storytelling.

BIO

“The Human Experience” is David Block’s principal project as a live electronic composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer. Listeners experience a delicious symphonic blend of prismatic soundscapes and sultry beats.

David is constantly pushing the boundaries of live electronic music. Playing, composing, and conducting his own electronic symphony live on stage, his performances are brimming and layered with human emotion, world exploration, and sacred sounds. Whether performing by himself, or with a live band, “The Human Experience” always delivers an emotionally charged show.

“The Human Experience” aims to cross cultural barriers through music. David has collaborated with artists all over the world including Ignacio Perez (Buena Vista Social Club), William Close (The Earth Harp), Random Rab, Govinda, Amae Love, Rising Appalachia, and many others.

Since his debut album “Inaudible Sounds” in 2010 , he has released four other albums in the last two years and has four new projects planned for release in 2013. Each song is a sonic journey; interweaving psychedelic layers of melody and harmony with organic grooves and international vibes.

Composing and performing live with the Audio/Visual/Dance projects “Phadroid” (Andrew and Phaedra Jones), “Quixotic”, “Lucent Dossier”, and “Seraphim” David is expanding his sounds into the mixed media world.

Since 2010, David has performed all over the world sharing the stage with renowned artists such as, Thievery Corporation, Bonobo, Tipper, Random Rab, Emancipator, Bluetech, Kalya Scintilla, and Kaminanda.

BIO

Zahira is an eclectic and exciting artist who brings a special energy that lights up each stage she performs on. Her talents range from singing, songwriting, and music composition to dance and spiritual healing, allowing her to connect with many people and cultures as she travels and performs around the world.
Zahira’s pure and powerful voice ranges from alto to high soprano, and her unconventional, wide-ranging style and positive lyrics have a transformational impact on her listeners. Zahira radiates love and pure light, creates uplifting energy on stage, and brings her audience on a journey transcending space and time. Her style and tone have been described as a melding of inspirational vocalists including Nelly Furtado, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, Teena Marie, Lauryn Hill, and Jill Scott.
Zahira was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. At a young age she embraced music and became a gospel choir soprano. Within a few years her family moved to the U.S., where she focused on refining her natural talent. As a teenager she became the frontwoman of Soul Union, her first band, and ever since she has pursued her career as a singer, songwriter, and dancer. She studied jazz vocals and performance at Green Mountain College, and has trained in North Indian classical vocals, sound healing, many dance styles, and West African and shamanic drumming. Aside from her native English, she has written and performs songs in Hebrew, Sanskrit, Arabic, Spanish, French, and indigenous languages in an effort to share her light and sound with the world. Over the past few years Zahira has toured several times to Israel to share her musical gifts all over the country, and to promote peace and positivity.

BIO

Originally from Philadelphia, JAH LEVI, the son of record producer and world renown folklorist Kenneth S. Goldstein, first learned guitar from the late Rev. Gary Davis in the 1960's, and later learned bass guitar as his "main" instrument. After studying music with many great master musicians and teachers, he majored in Ethnomusicology and world music studies. A trained herbalist and acupuncturist, he is "livicated" to proliferating consciousness through proper living "standing up to do the right thing."

JAH LEVI AND THE HIGHER REASONING, are world class musicians who are versatile enough to spontaneously perform all genres of music. His ability as a band leader is exemplified by the trust and loyalty of his group, several of whom have been with him since the group's beginning and many who return (from the far corners of the globe) to perform year after year. They perform a unique blend of Reggae-Rastafarian music that is spiritually uplifting and fun to dance to. JAH LEVI founded THEOCRATIC RECORDS, one of the first independent reggae record labels in america, and JAH WORKS STUDIOS, the first solar powered digital (24-bit) recording studio in the world.

BIO

Lakshmi is an inspired and ecstatic multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and kirtan leader. Since 1999 she has been performing her original and sacred world music across the United States and Internationally, including Bali, Thailand, and Hawaii. She is a regular performer at many festivals such as Bhaktifest, Pranafest, Wanderlust, Earthdance, Harmony Festival, and Oregon Country Fair.

Some of her extensive musical involvements include: producing music events, leading ecstatic Kirtans, directing music for ritual performances, singing for yoga classes, and leading interactive sound ritual journeys. She also appears as a guest performer and studio musician for various musicians and bands such as: renowned world musicians, Jai Uttal, and Geoffrey Gordon, the internationally acclaimed Medicine Drum and popular chanting guru Krishna Das. Others include, Suzanne Sterling, Tina Malia, Dave Stringer, Joey Lugassy, Karnamrita, Lost at Last and many more. She is also known as one of the founding members of the west coast popular “Kali’s Angels,” along with Suzanne Sterling and Amy Carr.

BIO

Anthony Singing Bear is a stylistic singer-songwriter weaving wise words and personal stories into jazzy swing, world beat, reggae, hip hop and soul. His popularity is in large part due to his conscious well-thought lyrics, inventive songwriting, and soulful emotive voice. Bear’s prolific garden of songs seem developed and timeless like something out of the archives, and yet his ever evolving repertoire is very much here and now. It is a unique brand of music, in the style of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Brett Dennen, but really defying all genre classifications.