Smart bets web extra: Kirtan leader Jai Uttal returns to Asheville

It’s been awhile since Xpress has spoken to Grammy-nominated chant artist and kirtan leader Jai Uttal. In ‘07, the musician — who grew up in New York and immersed himself in the study of the sarod and traditional Indian voice, training under master musician Ali Akbar Khan, as well as playing in Motown, punk and blues bands, infusing his songs with banjo and harmonica, Appalachian old-time and modern rock — told Xpress his main goal was “to keep working from my soul and my heart.” Read the full interview here.

He has lead kirtan (devotional chanting) around the world for more than 30 years, and has recorded 17 albums. Uttal returns to Asheville this weekend for a concert and workshop.

Concert: Saturday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m. Held at Ferguson Hall on the A-B Tech Campus. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

Workshop: Sunday, Jan. 27, 1 p.m. Held at One Center Yoga, 120 Coxe Ave., Asheville. $75.

Advance tickets can be purchased at Malaprops or online at Prama Institute.

Check out this video for Uttal’s “Down on my KNees,” which blends the Hindu chant “Om Namah Shivaya ” with Robert Johnson’s blues song “Love in Vain”:

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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One thought on “Smart bets web extra: Kirtan leader Jai Uttal returns to Asheville

  1. Chelsea La Bate

    I studied with Jai Uttal while living in NYC. I loved his relaxed, down to earth, rock star-ness. Wonderful soul. Wonderful voice. Don’t miss this.

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