Blog

A COMMON STORY
Seems like every week I hear a story with the following elements from one of our Kirtan Leader Institute studente:
Part 1:    I bought my harmonium a year ago in the hopes of learning how to chant at home.
Part 2:   Over the last year I tried to learn by watching online harmonium instructional videos, purchasing an onlin […]

Times change. So, rather than do the same old thing (press and release a CD) I have decided to release one brand new song per month over the next six months. Here’s the first- Sita Ram (Soul Version).
As of October 15, 2018 this song is available for purchase (99 cents) at CD Baby. In the next few days (or weeks) it will be availabl […]

The only thing more amazing than chanting, is leading a chant. Whether you want to start a home practice, add Kirtan to yoga classes, or lead a band in your community, you will need a great harmonium.
The Harmonium is an Incredibly User Friendly Instrument

The harmonium is one of the few instruments that sounds great from day one! You […]

Click HERE, HERE and HERE to check out Kirtan Leader Institute teacher and percussionist Ken Matarazzo teaching our Level 1 and 2 students.
Ken teaches simple and fun elements of the Hand Dance Method (created by master hand drummer Glen Velez) and the ancient rhythmic form of Konnakol (South Indian rhythmic syllables). Through gentle b […]

Click HERE to listen to a live version of the Lalita Invocation beautifully led by Kirtan Leader Institute coach/teacher Dawnia Dresser. Recorded from the audience, so it’s little rough. However, I think you’ll catch the energetic vibe as she invokes Lalita, the goddess of Beauty. Lalita is the creator of the universe, and bot […]

In 2007 I was extremely fortunate to stumble across the lineage of Sri Kaleshwar. Before he left his body in 2012 I was able to experience his presence in person both in Laytonville, CA and during four programs held in Penukonda India from 2009-11. From 2007 until today I have had the extreme good fortune of spending an extraordinary amou […]

I’m always delighted when Issa Malluf comes to Boulder to teach and play in our Kirtan Leader trainings. We have a great ongoing conversation going about music, life and what it means to be alive at this moment in time.
Here’s a fun video of Issa demonstrating a number of Middle Eastern percussion instruments. Watch HERE.
ABOU […]

Holy smokes, my old friend and tabla wizard Jim Feist is just crushing it on this video. Watch HERE.
Jim is hilarious, and an incredible tabla-ist and tabla teacher. I am grateful for all I learned playing regularly with Jim from 2007-15.

There’s so much happening within the Kirtan Leader Institute community I can hardly keep track of it. So, here’s a quick summary…

Stay tuned for new music! I’ve been in the studio with producer Ben Leinbach and a cast of very talented musicians and singers. In the next few weeks we plan to release 4 brand new trac […]

How did Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, touch your life?

Today I feel deep sadness and profound gratitude around the departure of Aretha Franklin. I don’t often talk about my background, however I will share that in my early 20’s (1990-94) I toured as saxophonist with Jane L. Powell, an African American singer deeply infl […]