ENTERTAINMENT
Nikki Slade
Nikki Slade is a leading pioneer in the field of chanting, core voice and sound work in the UK. Nikki has inspired thousands of individuals to chant and has led chanting workshops for many corporations including M&C Saatchi, Deutcshe Bank and Cisco. She has also taken her cutting edge approach to working with the voice into Wandsworth men’s prison and she is the resident voice facilitator at the Priory hospital in North London where she has impacted the recovery of hundreds of addicts over the past 13 years.
Nikki has recorded four highly popular chanting Cd’s: Nectarine, Monsoon, Soundscape and her latest double album Epiphany. She is the resident Kirtan (Chanting) leader at Triyoga in London and has travelled the world with her work to places including California, Singapore, NYC, Europe and Melbourne. She has led chants for over 2000 people at the 11.11.11 Mind, Body, Spirit show and at the 12.12.12 Oneness ceremony in London.
https://nikkislade.com
Nikki will be leading Kirtan during the evening of Thursday 6th July, so please ensure you buy an Early Access pass in addition to your Weekend ticket to attend - book now.
Jessica Mistry
Jessica began her passion in flute at the age of 7. Her journey as a musician commenced through the teaching of Clive Bell. As a youngster getting to know Hindustani music she came across the music of her Guru, Pandit Shri Hariprasad Chaurasia and started her training under a master flutist. Her discovery of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London formed her earliest influences in music. Jessica spent most of her childhood and youth being evolved around music, whether it was being part of London Sitar Ensemble, conducted by Shri Sanjay Guha or being part of three orchestras, Samyo, Tarang and collaborating with National Jazz Youth Collective. She has further performed in well-known places such as Royal Albert Hall and Queen Elizabeth Hall. Jessica also enjoys composing music.
Manish Vyas and Band
Manish Vyas is a composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist – he is a talented Tabla player, a disciple of Ustad Allarakha. Later he added his distinct voice to the music and also learned to play Santoor, an ancient stringed musical instrument which was traditionally used in the folk music of Kashmir. He also plays and teaches harmonium.
Having learnt Indian music since his childhood with respected Indian Maestros, his music reflects the deep feeling of an ancient mystical India, touching the heart of the listener. Given his later years touring in Europe and USA, where he blended his skills with other world musicians, his music incorporated the friendliness to the Western ear – creating a fine blend of his genuine heritage with more contemporary new age sounds.
The feeling behind his music is that of joy, meditation and silence. The range that him and his band cover through vocals and Indian instruments gives raise to different flavours: from devotional prayers, mantras, and songs of love; raising up the rhythm to Kirtan music, followed by uplifting dance-celebration music – to finally return to the meditative shanti (peaceful) music. In this way, covering the whole range of emotions through the musical expression: a reflection of a balanced life: going outwards and coming back inwards. Manish is one of the few authentic kirtan and mantra singers who has the true deep understanding of Indian music and keeps its authenticity most gracefully, with true respect to Indian music.
Manish Vyas will be performing at World Yoga Festival during the evening of Friday 7th July 2017
Sanjay Guha
An Established Sitar artist belonging to the Maihar-Senia gharana tradition Sanjay Guha began his musical journey at an early age under the guidance of his uncle, Sri Satyabrata Guha (disciple of the late Pandit Balram Pathak). Looking to extend his knowledge in Indian classical music he studied under the late Sarod maestro, Radhika Mohan Maitra before apprenticing for 24 years under the late Pandit Deepak Chowdhury. From 2004 Sanjay Guha received special guidance from the late Pandit Ravi Shankar. Sanjay is the resident Sitar teacher at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, in London and the first star artist to be awarded the fellowship of Trinity School of Music, London. In 2005, Sanjay performed at a special concert arranged for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.
Soumik Datta and Band
Soumik Datta is a British Indian composer and virtuoso player of the sarod – a 19 stringed fretless instrument with a nomadic history spanning ancient Afghanistan, colonial India and modern day global downloads.
Soumik is not only a solo virtuoso. He is also innovative and generous, working with other musicians to create fabulous new pieces, bringing his sarod and their instruments to new and wider audiences around the world.
Trained by the sarod legend, Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta while completing his Masters in Composition at Trinity College of Music, Soumik’s concerts bridge the world of Indian classical and contemporary music. His artistic hallmarks are his collaborations with other artists: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Bill Bailey, Manu Delago, Akram Khan, Nitin Sawhney, Anoushka Shankar, Bernhard Schimpelsberger, Talvin Singh, Joss Stone, Shankar Mahadevan to name a few.
http://soumikdatta.com
Soumik Datta will be performing at World Yoga Festival during the evening of Saturday 8th July 2017.
Sika Deer
Emerging over 20 years ago, at the forefront of tribal music in the 80’s, Sika leapt into the UK music scene and was immediately recognized as a gifted Didjeridoo player. Through merging ancient and contemporary instruments, Sika’s music crosses the lines between world, ambient dance and acoustic trance , with a deep sense of reverence.
His instrument bundle includes the Didjeridoo, Taos Drum, Shells, Ocarinas, Rattles and Shakers, Hoop Drums, Native American Flutes, as well as synths and electronica.
Initially coming from a background of fine art and photography, Sika’s life is based on the medicine wheel teachings, emphasising that we are here to walk in balance and beauty within ourselves and nature. In his shows and concerts, Sika shares anecdotes and stories based on personal experiences, plus a wealth of information, facts and wisdom relating to the instruments and the cultures they originated from. Sika has recorded 4 solo albums and participated on countless collaborations. He makes annual appearances at festivals all over North and South Island NZ, as well as Australia and in the UK. The connection with our ancestors and ancient knowledge is a key to see into the Dreamtime of our planet.
Sika will lead us on a sound journey at World Yoga Festival on Sunday 9th July 2017.
Sam Garrett
Sam Garrett aims to inspire and connect with his soothing melodies and acoustic guitar, his songs reflect his journey and his life which carries the message of his soul. His songs bring hope to a world in need and bring healing to transform our hearts.
Sam will perform during the Friday lunchtime break at World Yoga Festival 2017.
Udhai Mazumdar
Tabla extraordinaire Udhai has participated in many noteworthy Indian and international festivals, besides playing for and with Pandit Ravi Shankar in different occasions, like performing before the Royal Families of England and Sweden, accompanied Pt. Ravi Shankar together with Ustad Zakir Hussain in a concert to mark Pt. Ravi Shankar’s 75th birth year. He is a regular performer on the Indian National Radio and television channels. Udhai’s Indian travels have taken him to platforms such as the Durgalal Festival, Delhi, the Saptak Festival, Ahmedabad, Vasantahabba Festival, Bangalore etc. His international sojourns include the International Folk Festival Hungary, several International Drum Festivals, Germany, several World Music Festivals, Rome, the International Festival for the Chernobyl Victims in Minsk and the International Festivals for Contemporary Music in Mongolia, Odessa, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Azerbaijan etc.
Establishing a rapport with music-lovers, Udhai has won critical and general acclaim of a wide range of audiences through his memorable performances of the universal language of melody and rhythm.
Brett Randell
Brett Randell is a soulful singer/songwriter and yogi based out of Denver/NY in the US. He recently recorded and released his 3rd CD "Rise" and has played 100s of Yoga/Music gigs across the US, Italy, Ireland, Spain, France, and Morocco, providing smooth guitar work and vocalization for all types of teachers, festivals, classes, and retreats.
Brett will perform during the lunchtime breaks at World Yoga Festival 2017.