Sat. Aug 20, 2022 7:00pm – 9:00pm PDT

Outside Subud Hall Garden Stage
234 Hutchins Sebastopol 95472
Doors open 6:30
$20 advance,  $25 at door

Jai Uttal Summer Kirtan
with Ben Leinbach, Prajna Vieira, Peter Apfelbaum, Sandy Cressman and Jeff Cressman

Jai Uttal – vocals, guitar & harmonium
Ben Leinbach – bass & percussion.
Prajna Vieira – vocal & harmonium
Peter Apfelbaum – Drums & Sax
Sandy Cressman – Vocals
Jeff Cresman – Trombone

PeaceWave and Sirens presents a special evening of Kirtan with world-renowned, grammy-nominated artist Jai Uttal on August 20, 2022, Outside at Subud Hall Garden Stage in Sebastopol. Performing with Jai Uttal is Prajna Vieira, Peter Apfelbaum and Ben Leinbach.

Prajna is a  creative and original singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist performing vocals,  and harmonium. Multi-instrumentalist Ben Leinbach creates music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind, and spirit. Peter Apfelbaum on drums and Sax.

Embark on a vocal journey through the sacred sounds of ancient India. With call-and-response group chanting and storytelling, Jai Uttal creates a space of invocation, prayer, and heartfelt expression. This meditative practice of calling to the divine creates a bridge between the individual and the eternal, opening the heart and welcoming the spirit. By singing these prayers and expressing a full range of emotions through our voices we join a stream of consciousness and devotion that has been flowing for centuries. 

Kirtan is part of an ancient form of yoga known as bhakti, or the yoga of devotion. It is the practice of singing the many names of the Divine. This practice of calling to the divine creates a bridge between the individual and the eternal, opening the heart and welcoming the spirit. Sometimes soft and meditative and sometimes loud and wildly rhythmic, Kirtan takes the participant on a deep emotional and musical journey through our mostly unexplored inner world. With solo performance and call-and-response group chanting, Jai creates a space of invocation, prayer, and heartfelt expression.

Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. Jai’s musical roots embrace a rich variety of cultures and traditions that span the globe and the centuries. From the music of the Appalachian Mountains to the passionate strains of Bengali street singers, Jai’s music distills the essence of diverse musical forms. Don’t miss this chance to chant and dance with one of the world-leading artists!

Jai has been leading Kirtans worldwide for over thirty years. “These ancient chants,” writes Jai “contain a transformative power and healing energy. By singing these prayers we join a stream of consciousness and devotion that has been flowing for centuries.

Kirtan is the Calling, the reaching across infinite space, digging into the heart’s deepest well to touch and be touched by the divine presence ” Jai Uttal

“Jai Uttal is the foremost artist merging traditional Indian music and jazz… a master who is synthesizing some important and exciting music.” –
Los Angeles Reader

No previous experience is needed. This is an exploration of the heart,  independent of vocal or musical technique.