Dan Blanchard and seven guest musicians take the listener down a pathway that is both utterly familiar yet also bracingly new on The Spirit of Christmas as he fuses the much beloved melodies of traditional carols such as “Jingle Bells,” “We Three Kings,” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” with a healthy dose of Indian fusion influences. Featuring an assortment of instruments from both Indian and Western cultures such as santoor, tabla, bansuri flute, violin, and cello, The Spirit of Christmas reveals that the musical treats of the noted holiday hold truly universal appeal as Blanchard and company imbue a festive and exotic flavor into the time-tested carols. Occasionally embellished with original arrangements to more fully incorporate the Indian music elements, yet always instantly recognizable, the twelve classics will make a great addition to your holiday and world music collection!
Experience the wonder and beauty of Christmas in an East Meets West fusion of Christmas Carols and Indian Classical Music on the album:
The Spirit of Christmas
Bring wonder and joy to your holiday season, listen to or purchase The Spirit of Christmas now!
12 Days of Christmas - listen and watch an excerpt of one of the songs each day until (and including) Christmas!
Day 1 – We Wish You A Merry Christmas
A traditional tale from the days of Merry Olde England, this was sung on the street regularly during the Holidays, by waits, who were municipal choruses of singers. I thought this was a fitting introduction to the album to bestow a Merry Christmas onto the listener! I also like how it segues into the next song, which you can hear along with the full version of this song on my “The Spirit of Christmas” album.
Features Leonice Shinneman on the tabla, Deepak Ramapriyan on violin, Chris Votek on cello, and Eddie Young on bass, with Dan Blanchard on santoor, harmonium, and keyboards.
Day 2 – Ode to Joy (Beethoven’s 9th Symphony)
Although not a traditional Christmas Carol, “Ode to Joy” is commonly played during joyful occasions including the holidays. I have long wanted to play this in the style of classical Indian music – to play these beautiful melody lines along with melodic and rhythmic improvisations, and to expand upon the original melodies. I am very honored to be joined by Chris Votek, an accomplished western and Indian Classical cellist, he along with Deepak Ramapriyan on the violin bring out the orchestral feeling and hopefully an authentic fusion of Western and North Indian Classical Music. Also featuring Leonice Shinneman on tabla.
Christmas Carols
Indian Classical Music
Combining Christmas Carols and Indian Classical Music
Details of each song
Dan Blanchard
Santoor, Harmonium, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin, Tanpura
Dan Blanchard is a multi-instrumentalist, blending ancient Indian Classical Music with world and western music to explore the therapeutic power of music. Dan has been playing western instruments such as guitar and piano since childhood and is classically trained in Indian Classical Music on the santoor by Indian master Pandit Satish Vyas. Joined by other talented musicians from the world and sound healing scene, Dan adapts his music for the modern world, providing a powerful and engaging experience for overall well-being, joy, and inner peace.
Supporting Artists
Leonice Shinneman
Leonice Shinneman is recognized as the foremost American disciple of the legendary Tabla and Pakhawaj Guru Pandit Taranath Rao. Leonice has toured extensively, performing in India, Germany, Mexico and across the USA. He holds U.S. patents for percussion instruments and received his MFA from California Institute of the Arts, where he also served on the faculty. Sheela Bringi
Bansuri Flute
Sheela Bringi is a sacred music artist whose lush Indian vocals, soaring bansuri flute and harp have graced 30+ new age and world records. Sheela has extensive training in North Indian classical, devotional and Western musical traditions. Sheela tours internationally and is currently based in Boulder, CO, where she teaches Indian Devotional & Raga Singing at Naropa University, and around the world. Dave Cipriani
Award-Winning Indian Slide Guitarist Dave Cipriani was first introduced to Hindustani music in 1998 with sitar master Jai Kishor. He has had major studies with Indian Slide guitar pioneer Pandit Barun Kumar Pal, and since 2008 with Ustad Aashish Khan, the grandson of Maihar Gharana founder Baba Allaudin Khan. He holds an MFA in North Indian Music from California Institute of the Arts and is featured in the films The Tiger Hunter, Basmati Blues, and Jaya. Paul Livingstone
International performing artist Paul Livingstone is one of the leading sitarists in America today. He has focused his studies in the creative tradition of Indian classical raga music in which he has been rigorously trained for the past 25 years in India and the US, studying under the late Amiya Dasgupta, Rajeev Taranath and the living legend Pandit Ravi Shankar. As a committed composer, Paul leads his own Arohi Ensemble and has composed for film, television, theater and dance. Deepak Ramapriyan
Deepak Ramapriyan, also known as “The Other Deepak”, is a virtuoso singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, actor, dancer and record producer. Classically trained in violin since age 4, Deepak lends his immense talent to evoke extraordinary experiences in listeners of all kinds. He is the lead singer and violinist for the pop/rock/electronic group Robot Nature, and the world sacred music band Breath of Life Tribe, and has played with great talents such as India Arie, Rihanna, Jason Mraz and many others. Chris Votek
Chris Votek is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger, and educator living and breathing music in Los Angeles. Chris is an acclaimed cellist recording and performing with ensembles ranging from Western Classical, North Indian Classical, Arabic, Electronica, Jazz, Avant-Garde, Persian, Pop, and Rock. A devoted student of master Gayaki-Ang violinists Dr N. Rajam and Jagannathan Ramamoorthy, Votek’s subtle and nuanced sound is greatly informed by his continual study adapting this ancient music to the cello. Eddie Young
A musician since the late 60’s. Eddie plays the Bass, Cello and Flute. Eddie has played a variety of musical styles for many decades, but an interest in the music and philosophy of East took over, and for the last 17 years he has played in several Kirtan bands. Eddie says: “Music is my spiritual path. For me the goal is to get out of the way and let the Music happen. When I am truly playing music, it’s flowing through me and I am a witness to it.” Bring wonder and joy to your holiday season, listen to or purchase The Spirit of Christmas now!