The Power of the Voice
American, Ethiopian and Indian voices give rise to the healing power of song
“Once we know the notes, all we have to do is put our soul there…” - Deepak Kumar Pareek
I laughed when he said it, though he was serious, Deepak Kumar Pareek, the teacher of the Yoga of Voice class I had signed up for at Ananda Ashram this past weekend.
“Once we know the notes, all we have to do is put our soul there…”
I only laughed because it was so true and yet not always so easy to pull off, to put our whole souls into our voices, and let them ring out.
I had some excellent inspiration earlier in the week though, starting on Tuesday when I went to see The Bastards of Fine Arts, aka the always amazing singer/songwriter duo of Matt Keating and Steve Mayone, at 11th St. Bar. Playing joyfully along with Tom Curiano on drums and Tony Scherr on bass, the two offered up truly cathartic vocals, singing out lyrics that resonated both in the heart and mind. I was giddy throughout, the energy of these two lovely souls an inspiration to push through my own fears of vocalizing, which I’ve been trying to get over for my own sound meditation compositions.
Thursday night brought additional inspiration with the vibrant performance of Ethiopian singer Gili Yalo at Bar LunAtico. I’ve never heard Ethiopian music before, and was driven further by curiosity after hearing the story of how music encouraged Gili and his family during a perilous journey when they were evacuated to Sudan during a famine in 1984, then walked on to Israel. Always amazing how song can engender hope at the hardest of times.
Understanding this power, I had been compelled by Deepak Kumar’s description of his Yoga of Voice class at the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, NY, where he is co-director of the East-West School of Music.
“The human voice is a God-given instrument which can joyfully help us navigate through these strange times,” the website quoted him as saying. “Based on North Indian Classical Vocal Music,” it went on to explain, “these meditative vocal exercises will help develop your singing voice, which will give you peace of mind and soul.”
In person, the singer and composer from the state of Rajasthan, India (who also plays harmonium, tamboura, guitar and keyboard) was a warm and patient teacher as I struggled two mornings in a row to follow along with the new notes system, and push sound up from my diaphram (as instructed) then through my lungs, throat, forehead, “all the chakras…” he said. The droning and sound of drums he played along with the deep tones of his beautiful harmonium certainly helped.
The class, which I offer up a few minutes of below, was in and of itself a lovely meditation and great practice for finding a deeper vocal range for future sound baths! Highly recommend. Ananda, on Saphire Lake, pictured below, is beautiful, but Deepak also offers classes on Zoom:)
Recording of a few minutes of Deepak Kumar Pareek’s Yoga of Voice class at Ananda Ashram.
LISTENUPNYC CALENDAR Feb. 26-March 3
monday, february 26
Santiago Leisbon Trio
Barbes
7 PM
Brooklyn-based Argentinian-born jazz pianist and composer Santiago Leibson plays with bassist Lim Yang and drummer Randy Peterson, all spectacular musicians. Always a fun night in the cozy back room of Barbes, my longtime local Park Slope hang.
tuesday, february 27
Austin White & Ari Folman-Cohen
Troost
9 PM
This Instagram post says it all: bass, synth and percussion improvisation with two very cool experimental musicians, bass player extraordinaire Ari Folman-Cohen and electronic musician/synth player Austin White. At the hip Troost in Greenpoint. You should go.
wednesday, february 28
Karaoke with Amethyst Valentino
Lowlands Bar
8:30 PM - 11:55 PM
Sing, sing, sing. Lowlands’ weekly karaoke night is sure to bring out the best in you, vocally speaking. So try your hand at the cathartic exercise. Grab a friend or two and belt it out with hostess with the mostess Amethyst Valentino.
thursday, february 29
Dayme Arocena and DJ Bembona
The Sultan Room
Sets at 7 PM & 9:30 PM
It’s Ladies Night!!! Hailed as Cuba’s “finest young female singer,” Afro-Cuban jazz singer Dayme Arocena, from Havana, will be performing her album release party at this cool Bushwick hotspot, followed by hip Puerto Rican-Panamanian DJ Bembona. Wow. Get your dancing shoes on! This is going to be a FIERY night!
friday, march 1
Sacred Bloom Sound Bath
YogaSole
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Join for an early Friday sound meditation with yours truly. With my new vocal skills, it is sure to calm your nervous system in readiness for a fab weekend…I do this every month, first Friday of the month, at this very lovely yoga studio in Windsor Terrace. Has been filling up so book now!
saturday, march 2
Micah Thomas
The Jazz Gallery
Sets at 7:30 PM & 9:30 PM
Ok, Micah Thomas is apparently only 27, but don’t worry. This pianist has been playing for 25 years, by ear apparently, since he was 2! Though he’s played as a jazz sideman wth all kinds of greats, this is a solo show, and sounds like it’s going to be incredibly beautiful…Jazz Gallery is the perfect listening room for it, focused and quiet. Will be great.
sunday, march 3
Jon Beshay Quartet
Smalls
Sets at 7:30 PM and 12 AM (plus jam session afterward)
Tenor saxophonist Jon Beshay is, apparently, a “must-see.” With his quartet - Miki Yamanaka on piano, Peter Slavov on bass, and Curtis Nowosad on drums. And stay for the jam session, late night, after the second set!! Classic night of jazz at Smalls, a West Village mainstay. It’s fun to see all the talent that gets up there, if you can make it til the wee hours…
That’s a wrap. Such a lot of fun nights over the next week. Make it a goal to get to at least ONE! You will not be sorry:)) Subscribe if you haven’t already, and PLEASE share, comment and let me know when you’re having a gig if you’re a musician!!!!
XX
Steph