04/28/2024
It's been 1 week since David Newman made his transition. I was deeply impacted by his passing, by his life and his music. When I was first getting into kirtan about 15 years ago, David's album Into the Bliss was played on repeat (I guess on an iPod or CD or something!). This song of David's I'm playing here, "Rama Bolo", was one I listened to often. I never really thought I'd ever get to meet him or even have the chance to play with him.
I first saw David at the Lovelight festival in Maryland in 2017. I recognized him and his music streaming out a barn door through the summer air. Kirtan musicians I loved were kind of like celebrities to me. I didn't meet him then, but I was surprised how accessible and humble so many are. Shortly after, I attended one of his kirtans in NYC and got to have a full concert/Kirtan experience.
We finally met at Bhaktistock 2 years ago. He was so sweet, gentle and welcoming. There was a possibility of me playing keys for him, but it didn't work out. For his set's finale, he was openly inviting all the presenters on stage, and I was a little shy, but he personally called me by name up on stage and had everybody at the festival chanting "Seth, Seth, Seth." He was all about inclusivity.
Last year, I was invited to play harmonium at the Sivananda Bahamas Ashram for Shivaratri, and what pushed me over the edge to going was that David was going to be there. I was fortunate enough to spend time with him and his family there, and I offered to play clarinet for one of his Kirtan concerts, which he accepted. It was a truly wonderful experience for me.
David was laid back, relaxed, and seemingly always at peace, and at the same time he had clarity, musical integrity and vision. At rehearsal for the kirtan concert, he gave me some very clear, gentle, succinct pieces of feedback about my playing with him that I've deeply valued and applied to accompanying other kirtan leaders.
I really wish I could have played with him again, particularly on keys, but now we will do that together through the ethers.✨🎶
Love you David. Thank you for all you've done to inspire me.🙏🏼❤️
Sending love and support to .helaine and Tulsi too. ❤️❤