Even though Krishna Das is actually a Jewish man from Long Island named Jeff, it must be pointed out that hes done more for Indian music in America than any other musician besides Ravi Shankar and A.R. Rahman. By merging the richly expressive devotional style of Hindu kirtan chant-singing with easily accessible Western melodic structures, Krishna Das makes the intensity of this spiritual music much more palatable to U.S. audiences. Miraculously, though, his performances and albums manage to skirt the muck of New Age solipsism and instead aim for something both transcendent and modern. Its far from being strictly authentic, but again: Jewish dude from Long Island. This performance will feature frequent Das collaborators Deva Premal and Miten, an English/German couple who indulge in a similarly Westernized take on Indian classical music. JASON FERGUSON
Wed., March 24, 7:30 p.m., 2010
