About the Album: Soul of the Esraj is a musical canvas for the practices of healing arts, hatha yoga and meditation. While the album has its roots in the classical music of North India, many elements of New Age and contemporary ambient musical styles have been included to build a multifaceted soundscape for each listener's spiritual journey. It is Benjy's hope and prayer that Soul of the Esraj will prove to be a steady and soulful companion to each listener on their path through this precious gift of life. The pieces on the CD feature the esraj (an instrument from North India that resembles a small sitar but is played with a bow) accompanied by instruments from around the world, including bass flute, Celtic harp, viola da gamba, voice, and guitar. Indian classical ragas (ancient melodic forms) are associated with a particular time of day, and the selections on Soul of the Esraj flow through a sequence based on the ragas from which they are derived. About Benjy Wertheimer A founding member of the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble, Benjy has studied Indian classical music for over 20 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar). An award-winning songwriter, composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards), Benjy has toured the US, Canada, and Japan with renowned bamboo flute master G.S. Sachdev and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. For over five years, Benjy scored music for the internationally syndicated NBC series Santa Barbara. He has recorded with numerous artists on such labels as A&M, Windham Hill, Narada, Nippon Phonogram, Triloka, Rounder and Global Pacific, and worked with such internationally renowned producers as Rick Rubin (the producer for the Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, and many others). For several years, Benjy was a contributing composer/member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience (along with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead). Benjy is very grateful to David Michael, Randy Mead, Matthew Montfort, Tim Ellis, and Heather Klinger Wertheimer - Soul of the Esraj could not have come into being without their unique and wonderful musical gifts.
Label: Ancient Future
Musical Theatre Melodies Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of FANNY
by Blair Ingenthron
- November 10, 2024
Musical Theatre Melodies, hosted by Rob Morrison, will mark the 70th anniversary of the Broadway premiere of Fanny by Harold Rome on Tuesday, November 12th featuring the original 1954 Broadway cast recording.
New Historical Biography A LONG, LONG WATCH: VOLUME II: THE SEA: 1925 TO 1946 Released
by Blair Ingenthron
- November 03, 2024
David G. Gitkov has invited readers on a journey spanning continents, seas, and decades in A Long, Long Watch: Volume II: The Sea: 1925 to 1946. This remarkable historical biography chronicles Gitkov's relentless pursuit of a life shaped by ambition, adventure, and the pursuit of freedom during some of the 20th century's most turbulent years.
Jane Monheit Releases New Holiday Single 'Silver Bells' via Club44 Records
by Blair Ingenthron
- November 01, 2024
CLUB44 RECORDS has released “Silver Bells” – the new holiday single from celebrated jazz vocal stylist Jane Monheit – on streaming and digital formats. The song, a joyously infectious Latin-inspired take on the seasonal classic, was originally released as a bonus track on last year's vinyl edition of her 2022 album, The Merriest.
Mike Campbell to Release 'Heartbreaker' Memoir in March 2025
by Josh Sharpe
- October 30, 2024
Celebrated guitarist and songwriter Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac) is set for the release of his memoir, Heartbreaker, written with Ari Surdoval. The book is due March 18 via Grand Central Publishing.
Short Play Anthology ALL GOOD THINGS MUST BEGIN Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 28, 2024
The Arts & Climate Initiative and Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts released an anthology of short plays, ALL GOOD THINGS MUST BEGIN, exploring future visions with themes of regeneration and justice. Learn more!
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and Pianist Kathryn Stott Release New Album 'Merci'
by Josh Sharpe
- October 25, 2024
Yo-Yo Ma and longtime collaborator Kathryn Stott have released their newest album, Merci (Sony Classical), which is out now. Merci is a deeply personal expression of gratitude, a celebration of the powerful relationships that keep music alive. Listen to the new album here.
New Album KAREN MASON AND ALL THAT JAZZ! Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 25, 2024
Karen Mason And All That Jazz! – the singular album from acclaimed Broadway star and concert artist KAREN MASON – is now available on CD and in digital and streaming formats. Listen here.
Listen: JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry Release PLAYING WITH FIRE Concept Album
by Josh Sharpe
- October 25, 2024
JC Chasez and Jimmy Harry release their groundbreaking new musical theater concept album, Playing With Fire. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s timeless novel Frankenstein, Playing with Fire marks Chasez’s first major musical theater recording project. Listen to it now!
Florence + The Machine Royal Albert Hall Concert to Receive Live Album
by Josh Sharpe
- October 18, 2024
Florence Welch made her debut at the BBC Proms at the iconic Royal Albert Hall alongside Jules Buckley and his Orchestra in London on September 11th, 2024. Now, Florence & Jules Buckley announced that the Symphony of Lungs live album will be available digitally on Friday, October 25.
Olivia Newton-John Duets With Jane Lynch on Reimagined Holiday Album
by Josh Sharpe
- October 18, 2024
This holiday season is sure to be filled with joy, love, and light with the release of “Angels in the Snow,” a new album featuring reimagined Christmas recordings by the four-time GRAMMY®-winner. Listen to a new single featuring Jane Lynch, out now!
Jazz Artist Bob Holz Signs With SoVibe Entertainment
by Blair Ingenthron
- October 13, 2024
Jazz artist Bob Holz signed with SoVibe Entertainment and will release a new album in 2025 honoring guitar legend Larry Coryell. His work is featured in the September 2024 issue of Downbeat Magazine.
Composer Rick Sowash To Debut A PIRATE'S CHRISTMAS For Flute, Cello, and Piano on Digital EP Next Month
by Blair Ingenthron
- October 13, 2024
For holiday listening, Cincinnati's Rick Sowash, a prolific, self-described 'outsider composer' with some 500 published scores to his credit, will release the world-premiere recording of the whimsical 'A Pirate's Christmas,' his newest trio for flute, cello, and piano, as part of a digital-only seasonal EP available November 8, 2024.
Exclusive: Read an Excerpt from Eric Idle's THE SPAMALOT DIARIES
by Nicole Rosky
- October 11, 2024
Crown released The Spamalot Diaries, the inside story of what it took to bring Monty Python and the Holy Grail to Broadway as the unlikely theatrical hit Spamalot, as told through actual diaries from the legendary comic performer, founding member of Monty Python, and New York Times bestselling author Eric Idle. Check out an excerpt here!
Video: Take a Look Inside Allyson Briggs' New Album
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- October 11, 2024
Explore the behind-the-scenes documentary of Allyson Briggs as she celebrates the release of her new Burt Bacharach album, PROMISES, PRAYERS, AND RAINDROPS, offering an intimate look at her creative process.
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