High Vibe Groove Jam - World Fusion by CinTamani with Smoothies & Super Food Sweets by Kale-Yum's (at The Buttonwood Tree, 1/15, @7:30PM)

CinTamani (chin-TA-ma-nee) organically fuses elements from contemporary Western styles and Eastern traditions into an innovative high-energy groove sound that awakens your mind and body to spirit, invokes a festive atmosphere, and encourages easy listening, participation and dance. Strings, winds, keys, percussion and vocals inspire a heart-opening, in-the-moment experience of the soul’s eternal magnificence, connectedness, and joy.

Kale-Yum’s! will offer hand-crafted smoothies and super food treats for sale to additionally boost your energy. Delicious refreshing green smoothies with super food add-ins, such as maca, cacao, goji, kale, coconut, berries and tropical fruit. Luscious nourishing naturally-sweetened vegan treats, such as cacao raspberry fudge, coconut-maca bars, cacao-fruit-nut energy bites, kale chips and granola. Organic and gluten-free.This program is generously supported by Middletown’s It’s Only Natural Market.

JONATHAN (acoustic, electric & bass guitars) and his twin brother/percussionist started out performing for neighborhood crowds at age 10. Since 2000, Jonathan has played in bands across Massachusetts. His style is influenced by Mark Knopfler. He was first moved by live chanting in the Hare Krishna tradition and has practiced kirtan since 2003. He loves how the congregational aspect joins energetically with beautiful melodies. Jonathan began musically directing Kirtan Jam in 2012 with the desire to incorporate everybody’s expression of soul in the musical process. Like light beaming through calm water, Jonathan’s stillness provides a resonant channel for the sound of soul. He’s now directing CinTamani, an innovative high-energy groove band that fuses contemporary Western styles and Eastern traditions, encourages participation and awakens mind and body to spirit.

DURGA (vocals, percussion, harmonium) opened to the mystical dimension of spiritual music a a child. She has led kirtan throughout the Northeast since 2000 and launchedKirtan Jam in 2010. She weaves vocals with percussion, the accompaniment of improvisational musicians, and the wisdom of masters, altogether inspiring participants to sing their hearts out. Drawing from two decades on a path with yogic masters and a daily spiritual practice, Durga gives workshops on aspects of kirtan practice and to facilitate living with spiritual purpose. She also privately provides licensed spiritual health coaching with certified advanced bio-energetic support through Quantum Breakthroughs to mobilize spirit with those aiming to transform, heal, manifest and evolve.

KALIDASA JOSEPH GETTER (bamboo flute) is a creative world musician who composes and performs for modern dance, theater companies, kirtansingers and more. Joseph’s sound is both transcendent and momentous, inspiring ease of heart and heightened awareness in improvisational kirtanplayers and chanters alike. He plays many instruments and genres, including experimental music on woodwinds, the bamboo flute of South India, and gamelan music of Java, Indonesia. Joseph is also a scholar and educator, teaching gamelan, woodwinds, ethnomusicology and world music. He is a disciple of the late Dr. T. Viswanathan and has degrees from Oberlin College andWesleyan University.

RON HERTZ (keyboard) discovered kirtan through his practice of yoga and has practicedkirtan for several years as a chanter and a supporting musician. He is gifted with an instinct for riffs that delight hearts, inspire other players, and transport chanters into the moment. Ron began learning piano at an early age and has studied with a number of teachers, including Jascha Fischerman. He performs accordion and piano professionally and teaches piano to adults and children in the Boston area. He plays a variety of music, including standards, jazz, klezmer, classical and folk.

XAVIER PIETRI (percussion) is a Connecticut native and self-taught musician who first experienced kirtan with fellow drum-circle percussionists. He now plays in several regional kirtan bands with congas, cajon, timbales, udu, darbukka, bata, ocean drum, dumbek, doundoun, tamora and an array of symbols, chimes, shakers and bells. The connection between instruments, exchange with chanters, and chanting altogether guide him into higher spiritual states and onto musical journeys. He hopes his music allows others to join in this joyous experience. Xavier infuses steady, synergizing sounds that make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. He regularly participates in drum circles, facilitates a sound meditation group, and performs with The Bridge, an Americana-blues band.

CRAIG NORTON (percussion) has been driven by the beat his entire life. He’s played professionally for over 15 years and practices his own “meditaichiyogatation” daily. InKirtan Jam, he has discovered a path that allows him to deeply play, connect and meditate simultaneously. Craig’s improvisation delivers spontaneity with ethereal elements and dynamic rhythms in an ambience that speaks to the heart and inspires dance. He has played with Mickey Hart and Babatunde Olatunji, and has led drum circles with hundreds of thousands of people of all ages throughout the Northeast. Since 1998, Craig has also brought his passion for drumming to schools, camps and community events through Hands On Drumming, creating opportunities for everyone to be musical and connect.

KAREN NICHOLS (clarinet, vocals) is an improvisational musician who draws from a vast background including klezmer, jazz, classical and rock and roll jam. In 2004, Karen began practicing Swaroopa yoga. She began chanting kirtan in 2011, and most enjoys entering the state of bliss and complete in-the-moment presence kirtan engenders. Karen has been playing since she was 10, and her music imparts joyful exuberance. She has worked with a number of teachers including world musician, Dirck Westervelt and jazz flutist Peter Standaart. She’s also performed with many groups, including Wesleyan Klezmer Ensemble, Old Lyme Town Band, Giggle Juice, Day Drug, and The Irregular Orchestra. Karen teaches clarinet in central Connecticut.

VIRGINIA LYNN ANDERSON / ELAND’ RA (percussion, vocals) plays with kirtan groups in Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts. Her crystal singing pyramids and vocal harmonies compliment and enhance the sacred spiritual devotional energy of kirtan. Virginia has been a percussionist and vocalist in kirtan bands since 2005. Her daily practice includes yoga, sacred movement and meditation. She is an ordained minister, a visionary artist, teacher and healing channel. Life has been Virginia’s master teacher and she brings presence of awareness, fearless spontaneity, creativity, and devoted heart into her music and art. Her passion for kirtan is fueled by the deep connection that is created through this form of devotional singing.

KALE / CAELUM MASSICOTTE (nutrition, percussion) dedicates Kale-Yum’s! to providing healthy catering and educating about nutritional foundations and native foods as the spark of life. Chef Kale holds a Masters in Human Nutrition is a professor of Nutrition atManchester Community College. About food he says, “We literally are what we eat. Eating is part of the cycle of life and I feel it’s important to honor our connection to the life that gives us life. To enjoy love and to spread love.” Kale is a certified yoga teacher and an avid drummer who doesn’t miss a beat. He is also on the board of The Sanctuary, whose mission is to hold sacred space for personal transformation, healing, enlightenment, intentional community and environmental stewardship.