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Jai Uttal |
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Songwriter, Composer, Producer, Arranger, Teacher, Singer, Musician, Multi-Instrumentalist, Guitarist |
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Country: USA
City: San Anselmo
State/Province: California
Region: Northern California
Subregion: Bay Area |
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Contact:
Email: guestbk@lmi.net
Website: http://jaiuttal.com/ |
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Create a personalized mix of your favorite Jai Uttal songs! |
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Jai Uttal's Song Catalog
This list includes all songs where this music creator is a contributor (writer or performer). Click on headphones to listen and song links for more song information. |
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= Instrumental |
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Listen |
Song Title |
V/I |
Overall Style |
Vocals &/or Instruments |
Genre Influences |
Length |
Action |
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 | 1. | Bom Bolenath | | | Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Harmonium, Kalimba, Keyboards, Ney, Sarode (Sarod), Saxophone, Trombone, Udu, Vocals | | 5:48 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 2. | Durga Pahimam | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 8:40 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 3. | Exile | | | Background Vocals, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Classical Guitar, Conga, Cornet, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonium, Kalimba, Ney, Percussion, Saxophone, Trombone, Udu, Vocals | | 5:16 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 4. | Ganesha Sharanam | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 8:58 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 5. | Gopala | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass Guitar, Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer, Vocals | | 10:38 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach | | |
| 6. | Govinda | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass Guitar, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer, Vocals | | 26:48 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach | | |
| 7. | Hara Hara Mahadev / Om Namah Shivaya | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 17:31 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 8. | Hot Button | | | Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Kalimba, Keyboards, Ney, Sarode (Sarod), Saxophone, Trombone, Udu | | 6:18 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 9. | Invocation/Introduction | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 19:56 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 10. | Jaya Radha | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 10:17 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 11. | Kali Bolo | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 12:48 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 12. | Kali Mata | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Harmonium, Kalimba, Keyboards, Ney, Sarode (Sarod), Saxophone, Trombone, Udu, Vocals | | 6:23 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 13. | Mahadeva | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer, Vocals | | 10:17 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach | | |
| 14. | Mondo Rama | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Kalimba, Keyboards, Ney, Sarode (Sarod), Saxophone, Trombone, Udu | | 1:17 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal, Ben Leinbach
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 15. | Mood X | | | Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Programming, Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Harmonium, Kalimba, Keyboards, Ney, Saxophone, Trombone, Udu, Vocals | | 4:14 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal, Ben Leinbach
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 16. | Narayana | | | Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals, Banjo, Bells, Bendir, Berimbau (Brazilian 1-stringed), Caxixi, Cornet, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drums, Dumbek (Doumbek), Electric Guitar, Fender Rhodes Piano, Flute, Frame Drums, Hammond B-3 Organ, Harmonica, Harmonium, Kalimba, Keyboards, Lead Vocal, Ney, Sarode (Sarod), Saxophone, Trombone, Udu | | 7:04 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | |
| 17. | Nataraj | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 10:06 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 18. | Nataraja | | | Background Vocals, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass Guitar, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer, Vocals | | 15:06 | | | | Written by: Ben Leinbach, Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach | | |
| 19. | Radha Rani | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 9:18 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
| 20. | Radhe Govinda | | | Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bansuri (Bamboo Flute), Bass, Djembe, Dotar (East Indian Lute), Drum Set, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, Harmonium, Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Mandolin, Mantra Recitation, Percussion, Synthesizer, Tablas | | 17:02 | | | | Written by: Jai Uttal
Performed by: Jai Uttal | | |
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CDs |
| This list includes all CDs where this music creator is a contributor (writer or performer) on at least one song in the CD. Click on the Jukebox to listen and CD image or CD Title for more CD information. |
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| 1. |  | Kirtan! the art and practice of ecstatic chant
Jai Uttal | | | 2. |  | Mondo Rama
Jai Uttal and The Pagan Love Orchestra | | | | 3. |  | Music For Yoga and Other Joys
Jai Uttal and Ben Leinbach | | | | |
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Biography |
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Jai Uttal is a pioneer in the world music community. His eclectic east meets-west sound has put his music at the forefront of the world fusion movement. Jai Uttal's musical roots embrace a rich variety of cultures and traditions that span the globe and the centuries. From the hillbilly music of the Appalachian Mountains to the passionate strains of Bengali street singers, from the haunting rhythms and melodies of ancient India to contemporary electric rock sounds, Jai's music distills the essence of diverse musical forms.
As a child in New York City, Jai's home was filled with music. He began studying classical piano at the age of seven, and later learned to play old time banjo, harmonica, and guitar. His musical interests encompassed a wide variety of styles, and over the years he experimented with many forms of musical expression.
Eventually this led him to the work of India's National Living Treasure, Ali Akbar Khan. At the age of 19, Jai moved to California to become a student of Khansahib for traditional voice training and to learn the sarod, a 25-stringed Indian instrument. Later he traveled to India where he was deeply inspired by the Bauls, the wandering street musicians of Bengal. Jai settled among them, communicating only through music, which ultimately helped establish his unique style.
During these early visits to India, Jai also met his Guru, Neem Karoli Baba, and spent time with many great beings of both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions. He became deeply absorbed in the practice of kirtan, the ancient yoga of chanting, or singing to God. This form of prayer became the core of his musical and spiritual life.
When Jai returned to the United States, his music had been transformed. He continued to study Indian music diligently while also performing in reggae, Motown, punk, and blues bands. He also began leading kirtan groups all over the country. The combination of Jai's exceptional vocals and exotic instrumentation produced a new and captivating sound. In 1991 Triloka Records released his debut album, Footprints, featuring world music innovator Don Cherry and Indian vocalist Lakshmi Shankar. The album received critical acclaim and led Jai and his band, the Pagan Love Orchestra, to international prominence. By the time his second album, Monkey, was released in 1993, Jai and the Pagan Love Orchestra had an enormous fan base with a top ten record on the world music charts. In 1994, Beggars and Saints was released; a tribute to the Bauls of Bengal, and again the album received international recognition, solidifying Jai Uttal's position as a world music visionary. During this time, Jai also produced two CDs for his teacher Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Combining the brilliance of Khansahib's playing and composing with Western orchestration, Journey and Garden of Dreams became extremely popular in the Indian community.
Jai's fourth release, Shiva Station, was another leap forward. Capturing the raw urgency of his live performances with the Pagan Love Orchestra, and adding the mixing wizardry of veteran producer Bill Laswell, Shiva Station presented traditional chants in a totally new way. The concerts at that time united the temple and the nightclub, the sacred and the worldly; emphasizing the underlying theme that spirituality and devotion can pervade all aspects of life. Meanwhile, with the rise of interest in Yoga, Jai was receiving more and more requests to lead kirtan workshops and concerts all over the world. In the last few years, chanting has brought him to Israel, Fiji, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland and India. Jai released a live kirtan CD entitled Nectar to begin to chronicle these powerful events.
Finally in February of 2002, Jai Uttal and the Pagan Love Orchestra released Mondo Rama on Narada Records. The product of several years of deep musical and self-exploration, Mondo Rama has been called Jai's most personal expression to date. Combining Brazilian influences, Hebrew prayers, Appalachian Blues, Beatles psychedelia, and, of course, Indian music and chants, Mondo Rama explodes from the speakers in celebration and rebirth. "I went through many difficult heart-wrenching transformations in the last year," says Jai, "and I decided to put it all into this CD. The anguish, the pain, the joy and the redemption. Mondo Rama means the World is Rama or Everything is God. This CD is an attempt to express that feeling, and the sense of surrender and gratitude that I try to remember everyday." Mondo Rama went on to be nominated for a Grammy as “Best New Age Album” of 2002.
Jai adds, "World music is music from everywhere. Music that creates bridges. Music that unites hearts and cultures. Music that brings peace." |
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Accolades |
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"Beggars and Saints: 1994 World Music Disc of the Year." - CD Review
"...beautifully melodic...exotic yet extremely accessible...an exciting and original approach." - Oakland Tribune
"...a marvelous blend...could only have been played by somebody who had the style in his bones." - Keyboard
"Monkey has punctuated into the top ten national world charts and promises to make Uttal the next world-beat superstar." - Sound Wave
"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
"The relative weights of the pop, jazz, Indian, classical, and rock elements shift from song to song, putting Uttal (who has an appealingly reedy voice) somewhere between Peter Gabriel and the Hieroglyphics Ensemble." - San Francisco Bay Guardian
"...an intoxicating East/West sound..." - Jazziz
"Uttal has made the best hybrid Indian music/American pop I've heard..." - The Denver Post
"...some of the freshest and most compelling world-pop fusion..." - Sound Waves
"There is a sophisticated richness to the sonic textures that rivals the best albums of Sting and Quincy Jones...an artist with a purity of vision that is likely to be widely imitated."
- India Currents
"...foot stompin', hip-shakin', bosom-heaving East-meets-West instrumentals punctuated by Uttal's own grit-in-the-honey vocals...One of the year's best!" - The Monthly Asperctarian
"An intelligently arranged mix of exotic instruments, ethnic rhythms, church modalities and American jazz...rich, complex, orchestral." - The Daily Californian
"In an era of ubiquitous world beat...Uttal is one of the few musicians to play Indian music in a Western context while preserving the integrity of his sources." - Yoga Journal
"Monkey immediately captures the listener with its excellent and intriguingly electric composition, its interesting melodies, and most of all, with its heartfulness." - New Age Retailer |
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Staff Notes |
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| One of the more recognized figures in New Age and World Music circles, Jai Uttal was among the first to explore a path that others have followed. His blend of traditional ethnic instruments and chanting with electronics and contemporary grooves maintains the integrity of the ancient music while imbuing it with a 21st century flavor. This is meditative devotional music to which you can dance. - Michael Diamond, SongPeddler |
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