This summer, Jdavyd Williams and the Basement Bhaktis hit the road for Bhak-tour 2010, spreading their unique blend of traditional devotional chanting with modern instrumentation. This completely grass-roots effort celebrates the joy of singing as an uplifting experience.

Jdavyd Williams has made music for almost as long as he can remember, being involved in the local Charlottesville, Virginia underground music scene since 1996 and playing with national acts from In Tenebris to being a live musician for The Last Dance. However, Williams’ musical path took a definite turn during his first attendance of a Mahashivaratri Celebration in 2008. Exposed to Kirtan for the first time, Jdavyd fell inextricably in love and set about to record his own interpretation of the traditional Bhakti practice. Jdavyd sought to combine traditional and modern elements in the record; tabla and tanpura can be heard mixing with synthetic drums and the occasional fuzzed electric guitar for a unique sound that is as captivating as Williams’ vocals are intimate. Jdavyd describes the album as a “labor of love,” as he handled all performing, recording, mixing, design, and distribution. The result, Waves, is personal, moving music for music’s sake: a piece of absolute devotion that anyone can enjoy.

From there, Jdavyd wished to share his new musical vision with a gathered public. Accordingly, Jdavyd began incorporating a group of live musicians who would play with him and repeat the mantras, stimulating audience participation. In a dusty Charlottesville Basement, this rag-tag group of Bhaktis began playing. Technically “Jdavyd Williams and the Basement Bhaktis” departs slightly from Jdavyd’s solo work on Waves: Jdavyd favors the subtly powerful harmonium over guitar and heavily layered synths, with drum loops triggered live in a fashion that allows for inspired variety from one show to the next, and live musicians playing everything from keyboards to additional drums to accordions. However, though the feeling changes from the personal sharing of Waves to the welcoming group experience of a live Basement Bhaktis performance, the themes of joy, peace, and devotion remain. Perhaps they’re even exemplified.

Bhak-tour 2010 does for live performance what Waves did for Kirtan recording. With no record label, manager, or booking agent, the Bhaktis plan to hit the road, stopping at yoga studios, ashrams, clubs, and any venue with an open mind playing music for music’s sake. Grass roots to the core, this tour represents the general theme behind Jdavyd Williams and the Basement Bhaktis: music for music’s sake; peace, love, and joy through chanting. Audiences will be encouraged to sing along, and a regular video blog posted on Facebook, Youtube, and Jdavydwilliams.com will keep fans all over the world involved. And when it’s all over, if we’re all a little wiser, a little happier… mission accomplished.

Performing during Bhak-tour 2010:
Jdavyd Williams: lead vocals, harmonium
Arcadia Williams: vocals, drum loops, shruti box
Marshall Camden: vocals, live synths
Patrick Allen: vocals, live synths
Tom Lynch (Charlottesville show only): vocals, accordion

Tour Dates
Friday June 4th 2010
Integral Yoga Institute NYC
Register Now!
8pm – Suggested Donation $15

Saturday June 5th 2010
Kitchari Kirtan
Cambridge MA – for location info & directions please email info@tomlenamusic.com
7pm – Suggested Donation $10

Sunday June 6th 2010
Raffa Yoga
Cranston, RI
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7pm – Suggested Donation $15

Monday June 7th 2010
Tazza Coffee
Providence, RI
w/ Seismic Feedback

Tuesday June 8th 2010
Ahimsa Yoga
Ithaca NY
8pm Suggested donation $10

Wednesday June 9th 2010
Shakti Yoga
Buffalo NY
6pm

Friday June 11th 2010
The Center
Harrisonburg VA
7pm

Saturday June 12th 2010
Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
Charlottesville VA
$5 9pm