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"a wonderful and transcendental experience. "
Jim Beckwith Playing
Live in Yoga Classes
Interpreting a class with an array of exotic instruments including sitar, flutes, and various exotic percussion and striking vocals orchestrated in the moment...
Never distracting, a sonic tapestry is created with the help of modern technology to support the movement of yoga, from quiet sitar to rockin' percussion - composing for the class to fit each moment and each instructor's style, resulting in a bonus of inspiration and joy for all!
Salvador Dalí Museum in Saint Petersburg, FL - yoga + dalí Sunday September 20, 12 noon - 1:30 pm (museum opens at 12 noon on Sundays) yoga + dalí is a 90 min. transcendental experience at the Dalí museum. Instructor Laura Tillinghast was formally trained by James Kigar in vinyasa yoga at Yoga South in Boca Raton, Florida. Laura's style of vinyasa is a strong flow with tempo and focus beckoning strength, gentility, connection and surrender. Jim Beckwith, one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters in the Southeast, completes the experience by accompanying the class with an array of exotic instruments, which you can learn more about at http://livemusicforyoga.com Cost: $20 includes 90-minute yoga session and admission to the museum after class, $15 for members. To register, please contact Bethany Mead by calling (727) 823.3767 ext. 3024; or send an email to: bmead_thedali.org. Pre-payment is required to reserve a spot. Please bring a mat, towel and water to the event.
Skipper's Smokehouse in Tampa, FL - On Sunday, September 20, 2009, Irritable Tribe of Poets will perform at Skipper’s Smokehouse with special guests Ronny Elliott and Rebekah Pulley. Irritable Tribe of Poets, a collective of performing poets and instrumentalists based in Tampa, FL, is an improvisation-oriented ensemble, actively mixing jazz, rock, funk and world-music textures with sundry styles of poetry. The evening will begin with a round robin set of original songs from Jim Beckwith, Ronny Elliott, Rebekah Pulley and Ray (Rayzilla) Villadonga, followed by Irritable Tribe of Poets. Featured poets this evening include: Melissa Fair, Bradley Morewood, Rhonda J. Nelson and Tampa’s Poet Laureate, James Tokley, joined by Ronny Elliott and Rebekah Pulley. Featured musicians for this performance are Jim Beckwith (percussion and vocals), Bob Brown (keyboards), Rick Olsen (keyboards, guitars and a multitude of other instruments) and Ray (Rayzilla) Villadonga (bass and guitar).
Unitarian Universalist Church in St Petersburg, FL - Friday, Sept 25, 2009: 7:30 - 8:30 pm Come experience the Music of Yoga live with Awaken Yoga! Yogis of all levels should not miss this rare opportunity to experience the vibrations of a live sitar during a two hour long yoga class led by Vandana. Even if you don't practice yoga just come to hear the energetic infusion that this professional musician plays as he stops in St Petersburg on his United States tour. www.yoga.jimbeckwith.com Awaken Yoga classes have been so packed when we feature musical guest Jim Beckwith we're offering two dates in September." Pre-pay and reserve your mat space today! (Pre-registration not neccessary, but suggested) $20 at the door. 10% will go to UUSP to continue it's mission of serving as a beacon for social activism and service. Awaken Yoga Center, Unitarian Universalist Church of St Pete,Gilmour Hall, 719 Arlington Avenue North (please enter through the handicapped entrance on Mirror Lake).
The Lotus Room in Tampa, FL - The Garden's Wellness Tea Loung will be open on Friday night for this event! Let the vibrations of live sitar, guitar, and electronic drums guide your body, mind and spirit through an upbeat, rhythmic yoga class. Enjoy a guided yoga practice while musician Jim Beckwith follows the energetic pulse of the class. Move through yoga postures and breath work in a flow that guides you into deeper states of joy, and then ending with Jim Beckwith softly singing you into relaxation . Cost is $20 for 1 person, $35 for two persons Register in advance, space will be limited.
Sanctuary for Yoga in Nashville, TN - Join Daphne for a heart-expanding practice that will float on a liquid landscape of music created spontaneously by Jim Beckwith. Jim's music is layered with textures and sounds from a variety of musical instruments that will transport you from thinking mind to the natural rhythm of the breath and beyond. From the mystical sounds of the sitar and transcendent vocals to the steady heartbeat of drums, allow yourself to step into the sweetness of this practice that is deeply grounding and allows you to open to your full potential. TO REGISTER - CALL THE STUDIO 615-297-8797 or email us at workshops_sanctuaryforyoga.com
Recent Venues:
South Florida:
The Standard Hotel, Miami Beach
Synergy, Miami Beach
Healing Light Yoga, Ft. Lauderdale
Florida Gulf Coast
The Lotus Room, Tampa
The Lotus Pond, Tampa
Jai Dee, Tampa
Brandon Yoga
Yoga in the Park, City of St. Pete
Yoga with Haris, St. Petersburg
Awaken Yoga Center, St. Petersburg
Hip Expressions, St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Nights Restaurant
Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg
The White Orchid, Dunedin
Mama TLC, Dunedin
Pilates Loft, Clearwater
Florida East Coast
Hot House Yoga, Ormond Beach
Yoga Bala, Port Orange
Central Florida
Temple of the Universe, Alachua
Gainesville Community Acupuncture
Nashville
Yoga Source
Half Moon Yoga
The Yoga Sanctuary
The Love Drums Whizbang
Hayman Loft
View Photo
Galleries!
Here's a demo of composing for yoga on the fly...
Here's an example of my one-man chant...
A bit of sitar...
"A yoga class, with the accompaniment of Jim Beckwith's musical sounds, opens the possibility of accessing the mystical realm throughout one's practice...a true gift. His sensitivity to the natural rhythm of the teacher, and all who are participating, creates a wonderful and transcendental experience. - Amy Barnes, Bhakti Yoga instructor Nashville, TN
"A yoga class, with the accompaniment of Jim Beckwith's musical sounds, opens the possibility of accessing the mystical realm throughout one's practice...a true gift.
His sensitivity to the natural rhythm of the teacher, and all who are participating, creates a wonderful and transcendental experience.
- Amy Barnes, Bhakti Yoga instructor Nashville, TN
Music for Yoga is orchestraed for a full hour of yoga practice, or just a nice intrumental listen!
Buy Now
Sounds you might
hear in a yoga class
This is 'Jai Hanuman!,
a relaxing CD of Sitar only, a journey
of 65 minutes
'Un-released is a compilation of various vocal tunes and styles, and begins with Hallelujah
Step Right, Shake Left is a World Fusion CD of Jim's vocal tunes backed by world-class Native Vibe
Jim Beckwith arrives for a class or concert with an array of exotic instruments, including sitar, flutes, and various exotic percussions, orchestrating in the moment with layered vocal harmonies.
Links & Blurbs
"Jim Beckwith is a Tampa luminary, a musician of dignity and appeal who has the good fortune to collaborate with some of the industry's finest, found here on Step Right, Shake Left. Beckwith teams up with international jazz outfit Native Vibe to create music of passion. Step Right, Shake Left should appeal to fans of Paul Simon, folks who like their pop with a world-beat flavor. Relish the Afro-Cuban beats, the blasting, ecstatic horns, and the introspective lyrics of songs such as Human Nature. Most of Beckwith's originals are upbeat and positive -- that is, anthems of humanitarianism without sounding trite or cliched. Nah, this is fresh music. Spacier, free-form jams come in the form of Balance, with Beckwith performing the ancient art of throat singing, a primal and emotive wail. It sounds exotic and comforting. Relaxed, woozy cello and piano take it down a notch on the compassionate Mirror of My Soul." -- Gina Vivinetto, Music Critic; St. Petersburg Times
"Jim Beckwith is a Tampa luminary, a musician of dignity and appeal who has the good fortune to collaborate with some of the industry's finest, found here on Step Right, Shake Left.
Beckwith teams up with international jazz outfit Native Vibe to create music of passion. Step Right, Shake Left should appeal to fans of Paul Simon, folks who like their pop with a world-beat flavor. Relish the Afro-Cuban beats, the blasting, ecstatic horns, and the introspective lyrics of songs such as Human Nature. Most of Beckwith's originals are upbeat and positive -- that is, anthems of humanitarianism without sounding trite or cliched. Nah, this is fresh music. Spacier, free-form jams come in the form of Balance, with Beckwith performing the ancient art of throat singing, a primal and emotive wail. It sounds exotic and comforting. Relaxed, woozy cello and piano take it down a notch on the compassionate Mirror of My Soul."
-- Gina Vivinetto, Music Critic; St. Petersburg Times
Jim Beckwith featured on radio show -Celebrating the Best of NC Jazz Musicians
featuring a playlist with such great company as Stanley Turrentine, Nina Simone, Bill Evans and Thelonius Monk.
Jim Beckwith on Youtube -a short video shotat Skippers in Tampa with Native Vibe-at the Step Right, Shake Left CD release concert.
Jim Beckwith on Dulce Records-Dulce Records handles Jim's digital distribution, along with such great artists asClinton Fearon,who was a fabulous pleasure to jam with!
Played with Jai Uttal- Jim Beckwith had the great fortune of giving musical support to Jai Uttal for an entire weekend retreat a few years ago, which was the inspiration to follow an interest in kirtan and the idea of performing live for yoga classes.
Another influence has beenBhagavan Das, who endowed Jim with the name Hanuman Das, and Jim played with him on several occasions to accompany his kirtans.
Jim Beckwith & Native Vibe - A collaboration with Nee Sackey and Bill Macpherson, a world-jazz fusion team in Los Angeles. See this review in the St. Petersburg Times - Native Vibe is a Worldbeat Jazz-fusion group from Los Angeles who teamed up with Tampa local Jim Beckwith to create Step Right, Shake Left, a CD of Beckwith's tunes. This CD has players who work with Sting, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Rickie Lee Jones and many more of the music industry's top artists. It's a must-hear CD!
Influences : Sting, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel
Vinxhosted some of the recording of Step Right, Shake Left in his Beverly Hills studio, and called in his friend, Munyungo Jackson(Stevie Wonder, Dianne Reeves) to help lay down the tracks for No Power, a song inspired by Vinx in 1992 when he was on tour with Sting.
About the World Fusion 'Step Right, Shake Left' by Jim Beckwith:
"An impressive piece of work. My first thoughts are that I hear a lot of what I would call sophisticated pop -- strong vocals, sharp arrangements -- it mixes in a lot of world-music, funk and R&B influences, somewhat along the lines of what Sting, Paul Simon and maybe Peter Gabriel do. I heard things that reminded me of Sting, of Vinx (he's on this disk), Prefab Sprout/Blue Nile (the first track), Prince, the Neville Brothers and some African artists. Nice work." -- Philip Booth, freelance music writer
Book A Date!
For booking, please contact Jim Beckwith at 919-883-6525
For booking, please contact
Jim Beckwith at 919-883-6525
Email:
jimbeckwith_gmail.com
Jim Beckwith is available to do music for Yoga Classes, Kirtans or House Concerts!
Host a House Concert
Have a concert in your home, invite your friends for an intimate evening of music listening. Jim will play and sing for you, original songs and special tunes you've heard before from a special voice you may not have heard before. CDs will be available for your friends to take home.
Musical Mantras - A Concert/Chant
In addition to traditional chants, this Kirtan is a English/Sanskrit hybrid, with some pieces created by the audience. Mantras, soul-supporting words and phrases, are collected from the audience, then chosen as the evening progresses to inspire a tapestry of sound joined by the mantra, sung by Jim as melodic vocals with harmony, then joined by the audience in chanting, singing kirtan-style in an interactive, spiritual experience.
Jim Beckwith interprets the class with an array of exotic instruments including sitar, flutes, and various exotic percussion and striking vocals orchestrated in the moment.Never distracting, a sonic tapestry is created with the help of modern technology to support the movement of yoga, from quiet to rockin' percussion - composing for the class to fit each moment and each instructor's style, resulting in a bonus of inspiration and joy for all!
Jim Beckwith interprets the class with an array of exotic instruments including sitar, flutes, and various exotic percussion and striking vocals orchestrated in the moment.
Never distracting, a sonic tapestry is created with the help of modern technology to support the movement of yoga, from quiet to rockin' percussion - composing for the class to fit each moment and each instructor's style, resulting in a bonus of inspiration and joy for all!
Host a Sound Sculpture Jam
Similar to what you might hear in the Live Music for Yoga Classes, Jim will create a blend of sitar, flutes, percussion, vocals, acoustic guitar and various exotic musical instruments are orchestrated in the moment , and those that bring an instrument can play along to make music together as a group. Listeners can enjoy a meditative space or get up and dance, depending on the inspiration of the moment.
It's easy. If you'd like a demo when I'm in your town, I'll show up and
play for a class, no charge (1st time). Just encourage donations and
allow me to offer my CDs for sale. Next time we schedule a special event,
promote and pack your studio! Goodness for everyone :)
Jim Beckwith's
Live Music for Yoga