|
|
 Inspired by the deep devotional mood of Indian singing and music, Jaya Lakshmi began leading kirtan with harmonium and 12 string guitar and writing her own devotional songs over 15 years ago on the island of Hawaii, shortly after receiving harinam initiation from Srila Govinda Maharaj, a great Vaisnava saint from West Bengal, India, who graciously bestowed on her the name "Jaya Lakshmi", which means "victory to the goddess Lakshmi", the Hindu goddess of fortune and spiritual wealth. (Go to About Kirtan for glossary of italicized words)
Her ecstatic singing and kirtan leading, often accompanied by master musician Deva Priyo on sarod and Spanish guitar, and other talented artists, has had a powerful effect amongst various communities in the islands of Hawaii, the West Coast, and Europe, always creating a deep sense of intimacy with the divine. She has a unique style that blends beauty, power and purity to create a truly transcendental sound driven by her fiery devotion and love for God. Singing mostly original and traditional Vaisnava chants and songs in Sanskrit in the Gaudiya Vaisnava tradition of ‘harinam sankirtan’ (call and response congregational chanting of the Holy Names), she often includes chants from other Vedic traditions in her kirtans as well. She also performs many original songs in which Sanskrit is magically woven in with English lyrics. Because of her pure mood, deep sincerity, passion for God and great musical talent, Jaya Lakshmi is rapidly becoming well known and loved as one of the few touring female kirtan leaders in the West.
In addition to being a solo artist, she is the lead singer and songwriter for the band “One at Last” (formerly known as 'Lost at Last'), a popular high energy tribal trance experience that has extensively toured the western US. In One at Last, Jaya Lakshmi expresses many singing styles and honors diverse spiritual traditions, singing prayers in several languages, including Native American, Arabic, and Sanskrit. Under the name Lost at Last, the band created 2 CDs: "Lost at Last 1" (1997, independent ) and "Lost at Last 2" (2001, RCA Windham Hill). In September 2006, One at Last released "Are You Dreaming?" on Sounds True Records.
Her three solo CDs ‘Ocean of Mercy’ (2003), ‘Jewel of Hari’ (2004) and 'Sublime' (2008) are available on Sequoia Records, all magnificently embellished by the fine guitar and sarod work of Deva Priyo and tabla master Daniel Paul. 'Sublime' also features Manose on bansuri flute, Ananta on violin, Yoko Silk on cello, and Luna Marcus on support vocals.
As a vocal artist she is featured on Steve Gordon’s “Drum Prayer” (2002, Sequoia Records) and William Ackerman's "Hearing Voices" (2001, RCA/Windham Hill records).
At present she is working on her fourth studio CD which is due for release February 2009). Jaya Lakshmi currently lives in Eugene, Oregon with her family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
