Geoffrey and I met in 1972, formed a fast friendship and spiritual connection and played countless parties for friends and family. This is the first time we are collaborating for a concert of original music, and our dedication of the evening to helping our sisters and brothers in Japan makes the concert even more meaningful.

Geoffrey has been writing and performing music in many genres for his entire life. Above all he plays from the heart and conveys a richness of spirit, wisdom and purpose that is rare. He has performed with musicians ranging from Buddy Miles, Stanley Jordan and Charlie Daniels to Paul Winter and Yo Yo Ma.  This evening will feature the premiere of a new suite of original compositions dedicated to the well-being of the Japanese people.

I’ll be doing tunes from “Sacred Love” along with some new compositions I’m excited to share. Plus Geoffrey and I will collaborate on our respective music and all in the context of compassion for and oneness with the Japanese people who are rebuilding their lives, their families, their homes, and their dreams.

BUY TICKETS: Seating capacity is limited. Pay at the door tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We expect this show to sell out quickly.

Please join us!

Saturday, April 16 at 6:30 pm

Klavierhaus
211 West 58th Street
(between Broadway and 7th Ave)
New York, NY 10019

Unanticipated

I read the song titles and scanned the liner notes and I immediately got the impression that this music would have a strong connection to the earth. I mean the earth as a planet and as a cosmos. My theory was validated after the first two or three cuts. There is something organic in the music. It is almost palpable. Guitarist and composer Shambhu, along with many talented musicians created a plethora of emotional and romantic songs on his album Sacred Love – Feel the Journey. After I was finished I became a believer. I did feel the journey. The music has a rare quality to it. It is virtually lighter than aire. The sound is clean and pure and it was not hard to imagine, once I read the notes that told me that Will Ackerman and his studio musicians had their hands in the project.

The guitar and the violin dance an aural bossa nova in the opening number called Together. There is that sweet, sensual audible push and pull, sway and swirl and the surrender of two lovers into their own special world for just the time it takes to play the song. The music suggests that whenever they are together, they have escaped the ordinary.

My vote for one of the most peaceful songs ever written goes to Edge of Eternal. The horns and voices are that of the angels and the guitar melody is celestial. After a minute into the song you feel weightless, after the end, you feel blessed. Some of the credit is due from Jill Haley‘s English horn and Eugene Freisen‘s cello. This was my absolute favorite on Sacred Love.

The track Natural Moment had a funky east tumbles into west kind of vibe. It was likeable for its lively tempo, its great mix of sitar and electric guitar and its cheeky melody. It felt like the song was improvised, reworked and improvised again. It was just the kind of tune that had endless potential.

I can always tell when producer and guitar great Will Ackerman starts plucking on a tune and it was he that started the song Imagine. Ackerman has a quality that I call musical grace and it is that approbation that mixes with Shambhu’s tune and makes it on the one hand, very familiar and on the other, new and exciting. Together they make the music timeless.

Premik Russell Tubbs is the flute player for the ethereal tune Nirab Amare. The song was originally written by spiritualist and teacher Sri Chinmoy who is credited with a body of works in words, music and art that staggers the imagination. The free flowing tune sets the physical free to roam in the endless possibilities of the spirit. This probably is the best song on the album for its poignancy and sense of pure bliss. Chinmoy’s teaching of divine surrender does not go unheeded.

The final track is called Humility. The guitar is somewhat more insistent in its lead and the flute also plays a large part in a tune that considers man’s worthiness. There is a polyphonous marriage of sound that was not as reverent as I thought it could be, but more of a mild celebration. Still the joyous tune of Eastern and Western influences was pleasantly satiating.

If ever there was an album that invited introspection, Sacred Love is the one. The album as a whole was a pleasing blend of acoustics and a harmonious mixture of philosophies. And there is the overwhelming sense of the spiritual love. Shambhu is a first rate song writer and guitarist, and perhaps an even better dreamer.

It is the highest joy
To feel the taste of life

Shambhu’s music is very expressive. It easily plunges you into an exciting world. In general, Shambhu’s guitar solo is weightless and deeply meditative. It is free from pain and suffering. His music inspires you to open your heart and to hear the vibrations of love and compassion. It gives a rest for your soul and helps to achieve clearness for your mind.

“Sacred Love” is the debut album by Shambhu. It was produced by legendary Windham Hill Records founder and Grammy winner Will Ackerman. Many first class musicians have participated on the recording of this release. As a result “Sacred Love” is a multicolored carpet which imbues with the aromas of various cultures and musical traditions.

The debut album by Shambhu has the unique, mesmeric flavor of the music of India. And at the same time it is a really western born project. Cello, violin and other parts of traditional instruments bring tenderness and a classical charm to “Sacred Love”.

One wants to listen to these fine tunes very attentively in order to not to miss each nuance. Shambhu’s music is penetrated by many subtle details and when you listen to the composition “Imagine” you, without effort, are able to recognize the thoughtful and slightly ringing guitar of Will Ackerman. His touching soul manner of performing cannot be confused with anybody else.

In conclusion I’d like to say that “Sacred Love” has a perfect sound design. Its sounding is pure and exquisite. When I listened to the album of Shambhu one thought appeared in my mind again and again: how could I live without this wonderful music all the time before?

Serge Kozlovsky
http://sergekozlovsky.com

“Though Shambhu’s approach on his compositions and arrangements is clearly in the “calm” zone, it’s the timeless kind of music that demolishes genre labeling and makes you fall in love with all of the dozen tunes on it!

I particularly loved “Eyes Of A Child” for that laid-back (yet high-energy) approach.  Variety is a hallmark, too… just listen to the wonderfully moving “Natural Moment” to get a taste of the love this gent is radiating.

It was the beautiful overtones on “Shiva Grove” that captured my pick as favorite, though… simple, but beautiful – a wonderful way to start 2011!

I give this one a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, as well as an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98… it also gets the “PICK” of this issue for “most inspiring music”.  ~Rotcod Zzaj

Read the complete review

Shambhu Maui

It’s one of the really hot weekly jams on Maui but it’s more than that. Hosted by guitarist Donnie Divino Smith and his wife, Sada Smith, the jam brings together Maui’s best musicians who pay homage to the  joy of music, the blessings of Maui, and the Heart-song that unites us.

I was so honored to participate this past week because we were honoring the passing of Donnie and Sada’s beloved son Sean who passed three years ago. Sean’s spirit was in the room…and his smile shined down on us.

If you listen to Echoes and like my new CD, please vote here.

Or click: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JBJSF8M

You get 5 votes. My friends Todd Boston, Ann Licater, Matthew Schoening and Peter Kater also have my votes.

Deadline: Dec 9th.

Special thanks to Dave DiLullo for inviting me to perform for Global Heart Concert II, and to my amazing band: Michael Manring, Dave DiLullo, Jeff Oster, Todd Boston, and Troy Arnett. And our sound team and image capturers.

Thanks Lee and the East-West team for a great job.

We heard some fantastic song titles contributed by the audience last night for two of my tunes . Did I hear public vote? Hmmm…that’s a good idea.

Here’s a photo of the band right before the show: (left 2 right) – Troy Arnett (keyboards), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), David DiLullo (percussion), Shambhu (guitar), Todd Boston (dohar, flutes and guitar).

We’ll be posting some videos in the next week or so from the show.

The show is part II in the Global Heart Concert series produced by Dave DiLullo.

There are still some tickets left. Hurry and order today. Call East-West and reserve your seats. Call 800-909-6161. Or order online.

SEE YOU THERE!!!!