SiriOm Singh. devotional musician. One Spirit 52 Abernethy Dr. Trenton, NJ

Transcription

1 SiriOm Singh devotional musician One Spirit 52 Abernethy Dr. Trenton, NJ

2 GENERAL SiriOm Singh is a spiritual teacher and Kundalini Yoga instructor, singer/ songwriter and percussionist, teaching and performing in The USA and internationally. SiriOm s devotional world music combines mantras from many traditions with church hymns, spirituals, sacred texts and his own lyrics with music that is inspired by Jazz, Gospel, Reggae and Folk. It reflects his deep respect for all spiritual and religious practices, and honors them all as different paths to celebrate peace, the glory of God, and the human spirit. BIO SiriOm Singh was born in New York, and raised in Philadelphia. He grew up in a musical family, and from early childhood listened to a large variety of music, from classical to soul and from church hymns to folk. His earliest musical favorites included Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin and Mahalia Jackson. At age 10 he joined Germantown s St. Luke Episcopal church choir. He describes this period in his life as the foundation for his musical ability. The choir practice provided him with a sound musical foundation and honed his voice. It also ingrained in his mind the connection between music and spirituality, and the use of music as a spiritual practice. Jazz was part of SiriOm s musical growing up experience as well. Growing up in the African American community of Philadelphia, SiriOm heard jazz played at home, at social events at church and private gatherings. His brother, Jazz trumpet player Fred Adams, has been playing with Sun Ra Arkestra since 1981 Sun Ra s personal style and the unique sound of this At ransabai all night live kirtan, summer solstice sadhana, Espanola NM, 2010

3 ensemble has been a great inspiration to me, says SiriOm. He was also greatly influenced by the spiritual content and social commentary in the music of John Coltrane and Duke Ellington. When SiriOm left Philadelphia to attend Saint Augustine College in Raleigh North Carolina it was only natural for him to participate in Saint Augustine s College choir, singing gospel, soul and R&B. SiriOm describes this experience as playing in a vocal orchestra. The formal training provided the opportunity to develop his extraordinary vocal range, from base baritone to first tenor, and to grow his vocal skills. At this time he also developed his love for negro spirituals and gospel. At this period of his life SiriOm began devoting more of his attention to his other passion track and field. Becoming a world class athlete for Saint Augustine college and the US military team diverted his attention away from music, as well as from his spiritual background. He went on to become a teacher and health professional, living in Texas and Florida, and in 1994 moved to New Jersey. At PSALM salon in Philadelphia, PA 2009 In 1996, a serendipitous event opened the door to his return to music - he won the door prize at a health fair - a hand drum. This was my first drum, and it chose me says SiriOm since then, every drum I own is a drum that chose me. Drumming brought back memories of playing percussions with his father as a child. Though never formally trained as a percussionist, SiriOm quickly developed mastery in the use of percussion instruments. In 1997 SiriOm discovered kundalini yoga. The combination of physical activity with music kundalini yoga combines movement, breath, meditation and sound and with spiritual meaning, spoke to his heart. As he immersed himself in the yogic life style he found himself returning to his spiritual roots, and the longing for musical self expression. He took on the spiritual name given to him by Yogi Bhajan, the spiritual leader of Sikh At the Coalition for Peace Action conference, Princeton, NJ 2008

4 Dharma, and realized that his contribution to the world is in the form of music that provides the listener with an experience of happiness and love. SiriOm started with chanting mantras as part of his yoga practice, but this quickly evolved into composing his own music, drawing on the various musical influences in his background. Visiting Sikh temples opened up the world of classical Indian music. To further the development of his voice and style he studied with Russill Paul at the Yogic Myserty School and with voice professor Paramjeet Singh. Yogic thinking sees all living things as one. In his travels in the US and in the middle -east, where he has been teaching yoga and performing in collaboration with interfaith peace organizations since 2001, SiriOm became intensely aware of the reality of this concept. The similarity among people is much greater than the differences. All people are looking for the same things in their life: peace, happiness, connection with each other and with the divine says SiriOm. Out of this understanding SiriOm started combining mantras from many traditions and sacred texts in his music, as a reflection of his deep respect to all spiritual and religious practices. This realization also moved him to start writing original lyrics that reflect his commitment to peace and social justice. An excellent example is his song Om Shanti (from Travel The Light, 2006) which combines the Hindu mantra Om Shanti supreme peace with the Negro spiritual Down By The River Side. to the connection between one and the Another example is Sa Se So Hung (from Guru Dev, 2009) With Fred Johnson at a benefit for refugee children, Suxzanne Dallal Center for Performing Arts, Tel Aviv Israel, 2008 With Snatam Kaur, GuruGanesha Singh, Deva Premal, Miten and Manish Vias at Ecstatic Chant, Omega institute, NY 2009

5 which combines original lyrics speaking world with the Sikh mantra sa se so hung, which means we are all one. In his peace-work SiriOm collaborated with organizations such as the Jerusalem Peacemakers and the All Nations Café in Israel and Palestine, with the Coalition for Peace Action and the Fellowship in Prayer in NJ. SiriOm found a home for his music in the Sikh dharma and the kundalini yoga community, which is well known for its variety of excellent devotional musical talent. He played with GuruGanesha Singh, Snatam Kaur, Sat Kirin Kaur, Mata Madir Singh, Livtar Singh, GuruDas Singh and GuruDas Kaur at the yearly Solstice Sadhana celebrations and other events. In 2005 he formed his own band, Anahat, which included Theo Thwing, Autin Wright and Gene Tunney. Together they performed in various locations, from yoga centers and churches to coffee houses and bars. Devotional music is not just for spiritual settings says SiriOm, it is our responsibility to bring it out to the world and share. As a musician, this is my service and contribution to humanity. Accompanied by GuruSangat Singh at Baba Siri Chand ashram in Millis, MA 2007 SiriOm collaborated with musicians out of the Sikh community as well singer/ songwriter and kirtan artist Robin Renée, tabla player and vocalist Dan Johnson, the Darla Rich Jazz quintet, Philadelphia jazz musician Fred Adams, Sound Sculpterer Fred Johnson, Israeli sax player Arik Levi, multi instrumentalist Gili Liber and master percussionist Jonathan Bar- Rashi. He performed in many locations in the USA, in Israel and in Palestine. At the Philadelphia Cathedral, 2009 SiriOm has also extended his musical talent to theater. He performed with the NYC Overground Physical Theatre Company in their dance theatre show Urban Tao, and regularly performs with the TE A Project in their show Under the Veil. With Eliyahu MacLean of the Jerusalem Peacemakers at the Jerusalem Hug, Jerusalem, Israel, 2007

6 WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SIRIOM S MUSIC SiriOm s music is absolutely filled with joy His dedication to his spiritual growth can also be felt deeply in the incredible lyrics that he shares with us. Snatam Kaur, devotional musician SiriOm had a magnificent, rich voice, that penetrates the heart. His strong stage presence creates a truly participatory chant experience. GuruGanesha Singh, devotional musician SiriOm Singh( s) music is a beautifully unique mélange that is informed by many influences, and does credit to them all. Suffice it to say, all hearts present were opened wide by the richly sonorous voice of SiriOm with an insistent back beat and capable guitar accompaniment. Jamey Reilly, The Philadelphia Society for Art, Literature & Music At World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA, 2008 The music is soft, gentle and gorgeously rendered. The voices and music weave throughout each other, so the effect is that we feel blended in divine love. SiriOm Singh has a beautiful voice... When I listen to his CDs, I sing right along. Gary Goldberg Radio Host and Producer In the Spirit WRPI-91.5fm, Troy NY My friends and I enjoy SiriOm s music It definitely spreads light and it feels light and uplifting. We like to dance with it! Very inspirational and motivational music! Polina Sannino, Universum Musica Om Shanti (is) a wonderful blend of the Hindu mantra and By The Riverside. They work perfectly together and the effect is very natural and unforced. The song is working as a meditative prayer (SiriOm has)a wonderful vocal sound and the delivery is very assured great pitch Taxi, independent A&R magazine With the women choir of the Jewish Arab culture center, Jaffa, Israel, 2008 SiriOm is without doubt a fantastic singer Manish Vyas, devotional musician

7 Deeply beautiful, awesome, outstanding, rich, soulful, heartfelt, inspiring, original, authentic, full of character, great! Akal Sahai Singh president, Spirit Voyage Live Events I was listening to your CD 'Travel the Light' and was filled with love and joy. Thanks for creating this gem. Krishan Khalsa, music producer, Open Mind Creations Your musical message of love and inspiration has touched us all, and we know that the music and consciousness that you share enriched the entire planet Rev. Dr Carol Lawson, Center For Conscious Living Moorestown, NJ I enjoyed your set so very much that it's one of those unforgettable music experiences. Harold Jacobs, organizer, Zichrona Folk Festival, Israel We were moved by the great heart coming through in SiriOm's chanting. Devotion and energy come together on this magical CD (Guru Dev). Ned Leavitt, devotional musician SiriOm took us on a trip to the magical chants of India, and then on an inward trip to the wonderful rhythms of our body. Dhyan Or, All Nations Café, Jerusalem, Israel SiriOm Singh's songs dissipate into pure love in my mind. A soulful, soothing voice ever reminding me of who I truly am. Ryan Leslie, Newtown, PA We love your beautiful spirit and how it shines through your music. Lynn Margileth, NYC The music penetrated me and uplifted me. It is inspirational in a way which is deeper than many others I have encountered... You rock! David Stone, Princeton, NJ Accompanied by Yonatan Bar- Rashi, Raga music club, Pardes Chana, Israel, 2010 Upon playing (Om Mani Padme Hum) I was totally elevated to a place of exultation. E.N.G Payg Williams Lancashire, England

8 SELECT PERFORMANCE HSTORY Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, Lennox MA Philadelphia Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA Integral Yoga Institute of New York, NYC, NY Cream of Phila, World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA PSALM Salon, Philadelphia, PA The Record Collector, Bordentown, NJ Café Improv, Paul Robeson Art Center, Princeton, NJ Integral Yoga Institute of Princeton, Princeton, NJ Princeton Center for Yoga and Health, Princeton, NJ Baba Siri Chand Yoga Center, Millis, MA Center for Conscious Living, Moorsetown, NJ Coalition for Peace Action conference, Princeton NJ Da Vinci Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA Ellarslie, the Trenton City Museum Music Series, Trenton, NJ St. Paul Episcopal church, Levitown, PA The Meditation Institute, Yardley, PA Four Wings Yoga Center, Pennington, NJ Winter Solstice Sadhana, Lake Wales, FL Summer Solstice Sadhana, Espanola, NM Suzanne Dallal Center for Performing Arts, Tel Aviv, Israel Raga music club, Pardes Hana, Israel Jacob s Ladder Folk Festival, Kibbutz Geinossar, Israel Featured musician at Zichrona Folk Festival, Zichron Yaakov, Israel, All Nations Café, Ein Haniya, Palestine Light Of Jerusalem festival, Jerusalem, Israel 2004 Festival Beresheet, Sea of Galillee, Israel Festival Sagol, several locations, Israel At Sulam Yaakov Folk Festival, Israel, 2008 At a gathering of interfaith peace activists, Jerusalem, Israel, 2007

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11 Essence Of Life online magazine, June 2007 Travel the Light with SiriOm Singh By Nicola Manasseh One of the first things that spiritual teacher and Kundalini Yoga instructor, SiriOm Singh, asked us to do in a workshop, was to clap for ourselves. With a wry smile, he said that our clap for ourselves was tentative.' Then, the thirty of us, clapped for each other. Such a simple act produced feelings of joy, happiness and unity. SiriOm explained that the essence of the workshop, called Yoga of Drumming, was to enhance communication with ourselves and each other and to open to the creative process. Though his methods were many - clapping, repeating mantras, drumming on our bodies, singing to his drumming, breathing - each time our aim was to balance the right and left sides of our brains and find our individual and group rhythmns. Photo by Zeev Nitzan Ginsburgh By tapping into the sound current of our hearts he assured us that we could create a holy sound of love, beauty and peace. Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo was the first mantra that we repeated together. We were opening our heart chakras to "uplift ourselves beyond the human experience." For many, the experience of the workshop, was joyful but also embarrassing. There we were clapping on our thighs and knees to remove toxins and stored pain from the body. There we were making strange childish faces as we pronounced simple sounds like "aah." Once we got past the embarrassment we found feelings of being grounded, alive, authentic, uninhibited. In facing each other, in pairs, we reached a place of intimacy where masks could drop and many people in the workshop felt a natural urge to tell each other "I love you." Teaching yoga since 1999 in the USA and internationally, SiriOm, seems to be on a mission to help people know their true selves. "So often in life we are given mirrors - in the beginning they come as our parents, telling us how we should be. But our parents are just a springboard, as adults we need to evolve into our own selves, " says SiriOm. Though SiriOm knows it takes courage to be who we really are, sound is what he believes can help us to know ourselves. "We all have our own vibration. Our task is to learn how to listen to that vibration." Even a simple hum, which vibrates vital structures in

12 Once we connect to our authentic self, which SiriOm says, lives just below the navel, we automatically connect to our curious, playful, uninhibited 'child within.' Discovering the child within his adult body, was the key spiritual defining moment for SiriOm, "to surrender myself...to let love come in and love go out." And it was like children that we clapped, sang and revealed how we were feeling in the workshop. At one point, drowned in the sound of thirty people chanting, I really let go - 'aahing' and 'eehing' with all my vocal power. And how did I feel? Totally connected to the moment, without a mindfull of thoughts and intimately connected to my partner in the group and the group itself. Feeling the support of others is important to SiriOm's work and it is exemplified in the kirtan evenings that he leads. Kirtan, traditionally used in India, is the art of devotional chanting. The leader chants a phrase and the audience repeats it. It is a meditation with music and the mantras used elevate, even transform the singers. At our workshop we chanted Sat Nam (which means Truth is in Your Name) to increase self esteem and we sang these words from Yogi Bhajan: Photo By Zeev Nitzan Ginsburgh Travel the light Spread the light Be the light Live light. Any mantra, chant or prayer is a way to communicate with God, the Beloved, so says SiriOm. His favourite mantra is Wahe Guru Wahe Jio which means 'Great beyond description are the blessings of his name.' After the workshop, I asked SiriOm if he could have one wish what would it be and this is what he said; "For there to be peace on earth in every crook and cranny - in every rock, tree, flower, man, woman, child and beast. That each one of us may be beings of light, hugging heart to heart." For more information about SiriOm's workshops and devotional events, visit or him or his wife, Ayala Shimelman, at onespiritliving@earthlink.net Travel The Light is SiriOm's inspiring new CD of heartfelt mantras which I recommend. Essence Of Life online magazine, June

13 DISOGRAPHY Travel The Light 2006 Song list: Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo Glory Hallelujah Om Shanti Travel The Light Om Mani Padme Hum Wahe Guru Wahe Jio I am the light of my soul We got work to do Guru Dev 2009 Song list: The Heart Song Ek ong Kar Aad Gurai Nameh Sa Se So Hung Say God Guru Dev Great Beyond Description Ra Ma Da Sa Anahat Groove