Jai Uttal (born June 12, 1951) is an American musician. He is a Grammy-nominated singer and “a pioneer in the world music community with his eclectic East-meets-West sound.” Biography Uttal grew up in New York City and lived in a home filled with music where he studied classical piano from the age of seven, and later learned to play banjo, harmonica, and guitar. His father was record label executive Larry Uttal. At the age of 17, Uttal heard Indian music for the first time, which he said, “touched his heart like sounds of home.” At 19, Uttal moved to California and studied under Sarod player, Ali Akbar Khan. He later began making regular trips to India where he spent time with practitioners from both Buddhist and Hindu traditions, lived among the Bauls, wandering Bengali street musicians, and singing with the kirtan wallahs in the temple of his Hindu guru Neem Karoli Baba. Uttal adopted the spiritual practice of kirtan, the ancient bhakti yoga of chanting the names of God. Artist statement and reception Uttal's music is very popular in the yoga community, being described as “very hypnotic.” One reviewer stated, “He does a great job of explaining the purpose of chanting and kirtan.” “The practice of calling to the divine creates a bridge between the individual and the eternal, opening the heart and welcoming the spirit.” Uttal says, “These ancient chants contain a transformative power and healing energy. By singing these prayers we join a stream of consciousness and devotion that has been flowing for centuries.” Uttal says, “Music that creates bridges. Music that unites hearts and cultures. Music that brings peace.” In one biography it is said, “Jai Uttal has cultivated a voice and musical styles that carries the listener into the heart of devotion, prayer, and healing, and to an ecstatic remembrance of the divine.” Albums In 1990 Uttal released his debut album, Footprints, on Triloka Records, which featured “world music innovator Don Cherry and Indian vocalist Lakshmi Shankar.” The album was in the top ten on the world music charts. In 1992, Uttal released Monkey. The next year, in 1994, Beggars and Saints was released, which was a “tribute to the Bauls of Bangal.” In addition to the new album, Uttal produced two CD's for his teacher, Ustad Ali Akbar. Journey and Garden of Dreams became extremely popular in the Indian community. Three years later, Shiva Station