Kabir Sehgal on Creativity, Music & Building a Portfolio Life | Ep5

Stanley Jordan: Magic Touch, Hendrix, The Dead & the Unity Behind the Music | S2 E9

Jazz guitar visionary Stanley Jordan joins Shambhu Sessions for a deep and inspiring conversation about his origins, his revolutionary two-hand touch technique, and the musical openness that has shaped his extraordinary career. Stanley reflects on beginning with piano as a child, discovering guitar after hearing about Jimi Hendrix, developing his touch technique as a teenager, and studying music at Princeton with composers including Milton Babbitt and Paul Lansky. He also looks back on the breakthrough of Magic Touch, the landmark album that helped introduce his singular approach to the world. The conversation moves through Stanley's wide-ranging musical life, including his love of Hendrix, his tribute project Stanley Plays Jimi, his performances with Phil Lesh and the Grateful Dead musical universe, and his belief that improvisation is about connection that goes beyond the notes. Stanley also discusses his beautiful collaboration with legendary Brazilian musician Milton Nascimento on "Meditation," from his forthcoming album Feather in the Wind, and shares how the album became a meditation on change, loss, resilience, and artistic unity. This is a conversation about guitar, jazz, imagination, healing, and the deeper thread that connects a lifetime of music. Learn more about Stanley Jordan: https://stanleyjordan.com [https://stanleyjordan.com] Learn more about Shambhu: https://www.shambhumusic.com [https://www.shambhumusic.com]

Steve & Chrissie Sheppard on One World Music Radio, New Age Music, and AI / S2 E8

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I'm joined by Steve and Chrissie Sheppard, the founders of One World Music Radio, a global platform championing independent artists across new age, ambient, jazz, progressive rock, and more. Together, they share the story behind building a listener-supported station rooted in human curation, heart-centered music, and genuine artist advocacy. We talk about how One World Music Radio began, what it means to bring people together through music, and why Chrissie and Steve believe that soulful, emotionally resonant music still matters deeply in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and AI. They also discuss their monthly charts, artist awards, music reviews, radio programming, and what makes them stop and truly listen to a track. This conversation also explores: * the mission behind One World Music Radio * how they support independent musicians * their thoughts on AI-generated music vs. music from the heart * the importance of storytelling, feeling, and authenticity in music * their own creative work as musicians and recording artists If you're an artist, fan of new age music, ambient music, independent radio, or thoughtful conversations about the future of music, this episode is for you. Learn more about One World Music Radio: oneworldmusicradio.com [https://www.oneworldmusicradio.com/] If this episode speaks to you, please like, subscribe, and share Shambhu Sessions.

Andee Connors on Pandora AMP, Music Discovery, Aquarius Records & Artist Authenticity | S2 E7

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with Andee Connors, Senior Manager of Catalog & Creator Services at Pandora, to explore how artists can use Pandora AMP to grow their audience, deepen fan connection, and better understand music discovery in the streaming era. We also talk about Andee's remarkable journey through Aquarius Records, independent label culture, underground music scenes, and his life as a drummer and member of the resurgent San Francisco band P.E.E. Andee shares how he moved from the world of record stores into Pandora, why Pandora AMP matters for independent artists, what artists often misunderstand about algorithms and discovery, and why authenticity still matters more than trying to reverse-engineer success. He also reflects on the physical and transcendent power of drumming, the revival of P.E.E., and how music can still create community across generations. We discuss: • Pandora AMP tools and how artists can use them • The legacy of Aquarius Records • The resurgence of P.E.E. • Music discovery, algorithms, and the Music Genome Project • Why music made with heart still finds its listeners • How artists can define success on their own terms. If you're an independent musician, a music fan, or curious about how streaming platforms and human curation intersect, this conversation is full of insight. Learn more about Pandora AMP: amp.pandora.com [http://amp.pandora.com] Listen to P.E.E.: https://peemusic.bandcamp.com/ [https://peemusic.bandcamp.com/] Listen to A Minor Forest: https://aminorforest.bandcamp.com/ [https://aminorforest.bandcamp.com/] Listen to Common Eider, King Eider: https://commoneiderkingeider.bandcamp.com/ [https://commoneiderkingeider.bandcamp.com/] If this episode moved you, please follow, like, and share Shambhu Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ian Cameron Smith on Relaxing Guitar Music, Blues, Surfing & Flow State | S2 E6

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with Australian guitarist and composer Ian Cameron Smith for a thoughtful conversation about relaxing guitar music, acoustic guitar, blues, flow state, and the deeper purpose of instrumental music. Ian shares how he first got into guitar, the musicians who shaped his early listening, and how his path evolved into a distinctive style that blends soothing acoustic textures, blues feeling, classical influence, and reflective instrumental expression. We talk about the inspiration he drew from artists such as Pat Metheny and the broader Windham Hill world, along with how classical guitar study helped shape his tone, phrasing, and musical voice. We also explore Ian's creative process: how songs begin, how he chooses between acoustic, classical, and electric guitar, and why tone matters so deeply in instrumental music. Ian speaks beautifully about the connection between surfing, the ocean, and flow state, and how those experiences influenced pieces like "Flow Motion." Another fascinating part of this conversation is Ian's blues side, including his album Freedom Road. While many listeners know him for peaceful, restorative guitar music, Ian explains why blues remains an essential part of his artistic identity and what it allows him to express that more meditative music does not. We also talk about the role of music in wellness and healing spaces, Ian's recent releases, the streaming era, and his current work on new solo acoustic guitar music in DADGAD tuning. He closes with thoughtful advice for younger musicians about trusting themselves, following what genuinely moves them, and staying the course. Learn more about Ian Cameron Smith at: iancameronsmith.com [http://iancameronsmith.com/] If you enjoy this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share Shambhu Sessions. Shambhumusic.com/podcast [http://shambhumusic.com/podcast]

Kabir Sehgal on Creativity, Music & Building a Portfolio Life | Ep5

How do you build a meaningful life across multiple disciplines? In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with Kabir Sehgal — a multi-Grammy and Latin Grammy–winning producer, bestselling author, investment banker, and officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve — whose career is a remarkable example of what he calls a portfolio life. Kabir's work spans music, literature, finance, film, and cultural diplomacy. From producing Grammy-winning jazz recordings to co-writing books with global leaders and producing the HBO documentary Fandango at the Wall, Kabir has built a life where creativity, service, and strategy intersect. Kabir and I first met when he was working with Deepak Chopra on a project that blended music and spirituality. Later, Kabir distributed two of my releases through his company Tiger Turn: • Life Passage - https://www.shambhumusic.com/life-passsage-ep [https://www.shambhumusic.com/life-passsage-ep] • Acoustic Oasis - https://www.shambhumusic.com/acoustic-oasis [https://www.shambhumusic.com/acoustic-oasis] During the COVID pandemic, Kabir created The Quarantine Concert Series, an online platform connecting musicians with audiences around the world. I was honored to perform on the series. Watch my Quarantine Concert performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CohCYUh5Esc [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CohCYUh5Esc] In this conversation we explore what drives Kabir's creative life and how he moves fluidly between worlds that many people see as separate. In this episode we discuss • Building a portfolio career across music, finance, writing, and public service • What makes a successful music production project • Lessons from producing Grammy-winning recordings • Kabir's HBO documentary Fandango at the Wall and music as cultural diplomacy • The inspiration behind The Quarantine Concerts • How artists can think strategically about their careers • The influence of family, culture, and early mentors on Kabir's life • Creativity, leadership, and the role of music in global understanding Kabir shares thoughtful insights about creativity, discipline, and how artists can navigate both the artistic and business sides of their work. Learn more about Kabir Sehgal https://kabir.cc [https://kabir.cc] Read Seven Point Sunday by Kabir Sehgal https://hello.kabir.cc/ [https://hello.kabir.cc/]