29 Years Old

I still listen to classical music but with the exception of Bach and Mozart, I prefer 20th century composers. Ravel and the early 20th century Impressionist composers are the real pioneers for me. It becomes clear through listening to the music of Miles, Gil Evans, Coltrane and Bill Evans, that modern jazz harmony is, to a large extent, founded on the harmony of these, and other Impressionist composers. The Quartal Harmony of Bartok and Stravinsky seem also to have been quite influential in the music of Coltrane and pianist McCoy Tyner. One of the reasons I loved Larry Young was his ease in these types of harmony. I listen also to the German composers, Schonberg, Berg and Webern. Especially Webern.

My fascination with Indian Culture continues. I search for and find a Music Master from whom I can learn correctly. I find Dr. S. Ramanathan who is teaching South Indian Music at the University of Wesleyan. I become an ex-curricular student of his and begin learning Vina. I am very pleased to find Dr. Ramanathan because the Vina he plays is the same instrument played by Sufi Master, Hazrat Inayat Kahn, whose writings I am reading more or less continuously. While in California later this year, I play with Zakir Hussain in Duo for Sarod Maestro Ali Akbar Kahn at his home. A marvelous experience! Also in California I get to meet Alice Coltrane. She is a very special person. We plan a short tour of the USA with 6 concerts. At the first rehearsal, she is playing Wurlitzer organ. I cannot believe my ears. It is without doubt the music of John Coltrane that is coming from the Wurlitzer. It is absolutely astonishing. We make the tour with Reggie Workman on bass, and Ben Riley on drums. They are great. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, no recording of these concerts exists.

30 Years Old

While on the campus of the University of Connecticut during one of my days studying Vina, I am introduced to violinist Dr. L. Shankar, who is also teaching there. Later this year we play together at my home, and it is so fine that I speak to him about the possibility of he and I playing together with Zakir Hussain. The first idea of Shakti is born. I continue my studies with Dr. Ramanathan until the end of 1973. I then terminate my studies on Vina because I realize that I cannot play guitar and Vina.

I continue my new association with L. Shankar, and Zakir. In addition, I become an ex-curricular student of Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar. I learn more theory from North and South Indian music from Ravi Shankar. In 1971 a young man was brought into the Mahavishnu group as a roady. This young man’s name was Joseph D. Anna. Within 2 weeks we had become firm friends, 30 years later he is still my dearest friend and a shining light in my life.

32 Years Old

I am experiencing a certain existential angst. At one point I just take a flight out of New York and fly to Europe. I join a friend and we go to a monastery in the French Alps for a week or so. A wonderful experience, and I meet a monk who has not spoken for 60 years. His eyes are amazing. We stay in the monastery and follow the discipline of the Monks. You must be up at 4 am for first prayers, a second time there are prayers at 7 am, after which you may take breakfast the day continues more or less like this The time spent here is really, really beneficial to me. When I leave the monastery, for some reason I drive for an hour to the next major city, and go directly to a disco. I watch the people dancing, and can “see” the rhythms that they dance to. Like “Golden Chains”, I see also that there are many people who are really sad but dancing definitely helps. It reminds me of Don Juan who says that seeing is everything.

33 Years Old

We record a concert for CBS at Southampton College on Long Island. The first Shakti recording. Around this time, after 5 years of study with Sri Chinmoy, I am convinced that my way through life is not his way. I need to continue my search elsewhere. I leave for India for the first time in my life. After so many years of association with its culture and philosophy, not to mention its musicians, I am really excited to go. I spend about 2 months in India and feel completely at home there. Fortunately, I have already many friends and colleagues who are Indian, and am invited to stay at their homes. I spend New Years Eve in a cinema in Bombay (Mumbai), with one of India’s greatest female vocalists, Lakshmi Shankar. It’s a real experience to go to the movies in India especially when you have someone like Lakshmi Shankar to translate the Hindi dialogue into English.

34 Years Old

I have the great fortune to make a tour of India with the Violin Trio (L. Shankar, Subramaniam, Vaidyanathan) with Mridangam Master Palghat Mani Iyer. I am playing the little Drone Box (Sruti Box), but I get to sit next to Palghat Mani Lyer every night. I have never seen or heard such a percussionist in my entire life. During this month I go to Madras (Chennai) to spend time with L. Shankar, and also to find another percussionist to replace Raghavan. I am introduced to Ghatam Player T.H. (Vikku) Vinayakram. After hearing him play once I invite him to join Shakti. He accepts, and moves to NY.

The next years are a musical paradise for me.

Spending so much time with Indian musicians has a permanent affect on me. I begin to see that though India is becoming a very modern state, the ancient Indian culture and its religious implications are very much alive. One visit to India will convince the most cynical of observers, that in contrast to western religion, the Indian religions are very much a part of every day life. I like this very much.

36 Years Old

During the past several years, I become more and more attracted to Japanese and Chinese philosophy, particularly Zen Buddhism. I begin to see parallels between these ways of thought, and the way of Ramana Maharshi. I become an admirer of writer D.T. Suzuki. I am reading the writings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, especially the translations of Chuang Tzu made by Father Thomas Merton whom I discovered many years ago through his wonderful book “New Seeds of Contemplation.”

37 Years Old

The One Truth Band has been formed with Shankar from Shakti playing electric violin. Playing drums is Sonship whom I heard playing with McCoy Tyner. Sonship is a truly amazing drummer. In addition, he’s a kind of spiritual ecstatic. Definitely my kind of person.

I am spending more time in Europe. One day I hear Paco De Lucia on the Radio. This guy can play: Ole!!! I am re-reading all my Castaneda books and have a better understanding of the teachings of Don Juan. D.E. Harding has also remained very close to my heart, and through reflection, I gradually begin to comprehend his perception. I find the book on the life of Milarepa (Tibetan buddhist) that I will read for the rest of my life.

41 Years Old

I feel a desire to play only acoustic guitar. I form a group with French and American musicians called The Translators. We record two albums for Warner Bros. over the next couple of years,”Belo Horizonte” and “Music Spoken Here.” My association with Warner is not good, and even today, 20 years later, it’s almost impossible to find these recordings.

Another writer who has a powerful impact on me is Nikos Kazantzakis through his book The Last Temptation of Christ. I get a commission from the LA Philharmonic for a work for guitar and orchestra. After a couple of years work, the creation of the Mediterranean Concerto takes place at the Dorothy Chandler pavilion in LA. Miles comes to the opening concert and I am more excited about Miles being in the audience that I am about the new work. I play every note for him.

44 Years Old

I land a contract from Sony to record the Mediterranean Concerto with my old friends from Apocalypse, the London Symphony Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas conducting. Really great! Plus, producer Steve Epstein will produce. This guy is so good in the studio. I now have the chance of playing the Mediterranean Concerto around the world with different orchestras - some very good, some not so good - but it is a fascinating experience, and I see the sometimes strange life in the classical world of music. It’s very different to the Jazz world… I particularly appreciate the camaraderie that exists in the Jazz world.

51 Years Old

I discover a new book from writer Karen Armstrong written some years previously called The English Mystics of The 14th Century. Her new book called The History of God is a marvel of religious insight and intuition. I’m really happy to find a woman writer of such lucidity. Karen Armstrong shares my affection for Islam in general, and the Sufis in particular. She is just great! I am happy to find her, especially in view of the kind of masculine imbalance that exists in western religion. I am deeply impressed with the Chan Poetry from China. It dates back to the 5th Century all the way up to the 17th. In Japan, Chan becomes Zen. I continue to find similarities between this and the writings of Ramana Maharshi. In addition, I have found a new Holy Man. His name is Nisargadatta Maharaj and his book “I Am That” is truly inspiring. I begin regular meditation again after a break of some years. I create a kind of drone sound with which I can chant. I find this is very good for encouraging peace of mind and allowing me to shift level of consciousness.