About the Album: Soul of the Esraj is a musical canvas for the practices of healing arts, hatha yoga and meditation. While the album has its roots in the classical music of North India, many elements of New Age and contemporary ambient musical styles have been included to build a multifaceted soundscape for each listener's spiritual journey. It is Benjy's hope and prayer that Soul of the Esraj will prove to be a steady and soulful companion to each listener on their path through this precious gift of life. The pieces on the CD feature the esraj (an instrument from North India that resembles a small sitar but is played with a bow) accompanied by instruments from around the world, including bass flute, Celtic harp, viola da gamba, voice, and guitar. Indian classical ragas (ancient melodic forms) are associated with a particular time of day, and the selections on Soul of the Esraj flow through a sequence based on the ragas from which they are derived. About Benjy Wertheimer A founding member of the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble, Benjy has studied Indian classical music for over 20 years with some of the greatest masters of that tradition (including Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Ali Akbar Khan and Z. M. Dagar). An award-winning songwriter, composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist (playing tabla, congas, percussion, esraj, guitar, and keyboards), Benjy has toured the US, Canada, and Japan with renowned bamboo flute master G.S. Sachdev and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. For over five years, Benjy scored music for the internationally syndicated NBC series Santa Barbara. He has recorded with numerous artists on such labels as A&M, Windham Hill, Narada, Nippon Phonogram, Triloka, Rounder and Global Pacific, and worked with such internationally renowned producers as Rick Rubin (the producer for the Beastie Boys, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, and many others). For several years, Benjy was a contributing composer/member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience (along with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead). Benjy is very grateful to David Michael, Randy Mead, Matthew Montfort, Tim Ellis, and Heather Klinger Wertheimer - Soul of the Esraj could not have come into being without their unique and wonderful musical gifts.
Label: Ancient Future
Cinco Paul Unveils SCHMIGADOON-Themed Alphabet Book
by Josh Sharpe
- January 02, 2025
Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul has announced that he has co-written a new alphabet book based on the musical series. Written alongside Ray Kampf (who also created the illustrations), the book is described as 'a sophisticated whimsical and colorful alphabet book.'
WICKED Digital and Blu-ray Special Features Revealed
by Josh Sharpe
- December 26, 2024
Fans can prepare for the official Wicked digital and Blu-ray release with the extensive special feature listing which includes documentaries, deleted scenes, commentaries, and more. Take a look at the full list below!
HADESTOWN: LIVE FROM LONDON Limited-Edition Vinyl Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- December 20, 2024
Hadestown: Live from London – the original London cast album for Tony and Grammy Award-winning “Best Musical” Hadestown – has been released as a limited-edition deluxe gatefold “pop-up” vinyl. Learn more!
Exclusive: Listen to an Excerpt from Cher: The Memoir: Part One
by Team BWW
- December 17, 2024
Lending her voice to the audiobook is none other than Stephanie J. Block, who won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Cher in The Cher Show. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book- Chapter 2, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Listen here!
Georgia Shreve Releases 'SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS' Album
by Blair Ingenthron
- December 08, 2024
Spirit of Wagner Award recipient Georgia Shreve has unveiled her holiday album, Spirit of Christmas. Featuring original compositions, timeless classics, and an all-star cast of performers, this collection promises to become an enduring part of the holiday music tradition.
CHRIS, MRS. Musical Studio Album Now Available to Stream
by Josh Sharpe
- December 06, 2024
The full Chris, Mrs. - A New Holiday Musical studio album has been released. Featuring 16 original songs from Canadian husband-and-wife creative team Matthew Stodolak and Katie Kerr, Chris, Mrs. marries traditional holiday themes with a contemporary musical theatre sound. Listen to it here!
WICKED Novel Tops New York Times Bestseller List Amid Movie Mania
by Josh Sharpe
- December 05, 2024
The Wicked movie is not the only Ozian content that consumers are enjoying. As the popularity of the film surges to an all-time high, readers are also flocking to Gregory Maguire's original 1995 novel for which the musical and film are based.
19 Theater Books for Your Winter 2025 Reading List
by Nicole Rosky
- December 21, 2024
From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theater history; check out our collection of 19 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's winter reading list.
STRAIGHT FORWARD Off-Broadway Musical to Release EP
by Chloe Rabinowitz
- November 26, 2024
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, will release an EP. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Learn more about the show and the album!
STRAIGHT FORWARD Musical Receives EP Ahead of Off-Broadway Run
by Josh Sharpe
- November 26, 2024
Straight Forward, a new Off-Broadway musical by Billy Aberle and Chris Sabol, has released an EP of 5 songs on November 26. Straight Forward will have its premiere this Spring in New York City. Listen to the new EP here.
Patrick Finegan Releases New Novel TOYS IN BABYLON
by Blair Ingenthron
- November 24, 2024
Patrick Finegan has announced the release of his new novel, Toys in Babylon: A Language App Parody and Whodunnit, a satire and murder mystery. Learn more about the novel here.
WICKED Blu-ray Pre-Orders Now Available Including Limited Edition Giftset
by Josh Sharpe
- November 22, 2024
Newly released listings are previewing the home video release for the Wicked movie, which will arrive in stores in either February or March of 2025. The standard 4K Ultra HD release will include the theatrical version of the film, along with a sing-along edition.
Turn Back Time with Highlights from THE CHER SHOW
by Team BWW
- November 19, 2024
In celebration of Cher's memoir's release (which also happens to feature an audiobook read by Tony winner Stephanie J. Block), we're turning back time for a special multimedia flashback of the acclaimed Broadway show.
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