Brenda travels the world with her guitar on her back, performing solo or with a sweet variety of musicians wherever she goes. These musical lovelies have all performed either live or worked their magic in the studio (or both) with her over the past few years: Allison Menegoni (vocals), Roberto Menegoni (drums/percussion), Morgan Doctor (percussion), Chris Gartner (bass), Ben Leinbach (drums/percussion, keys, vocals), Debbie Danbrook, Jocelyn Drainie, Philippo Francini (acoustic/electric guitars) Kevin Quain (guitar, drums, bass,keys) Dean Droulliard (guitar), Michelle Rumball (vox), Rob Fenton (Dobro), Colin Couch (tuba), Lisette St. Louis (vocals), Shannon, Christina and Robert Kingsbury (vocals), Andrew McPherson (vocals) and James Cummins (mandolin/guitar).
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IN THE STUDIO!***********************************************************************************
BRENDA'S NEW ALBUM "AMEYA" NOW AVAILABLE!
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"Brenda McMorrow's CD Ameya is truly a lush offering in every sense, communicating her
abundant devotion in a way which speaks to the heart and caresses the ears with spiritual
sweetness and a rich palette of musical diversity" -------------------- David Newman a.k. Durga Das
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AMEYA KIRTAN, LOTUS CENTRE, LONDON, ON, APRIL 18, 2008 - GOVINDA GOPALA
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SHANGRILA YOGANANZA RETREAT JUNE '08 - SRI MA (THANKS TO JEN LIBIS)
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Influences
India, people who LET their INFINITE BEAUTY SHINE, Sojourner Truth, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, LOVE, those who are UNDEFINED, world travellers, travelling the world, soul searchers, people who are into BEING who they truly are, people who create vIsUaL art, Rumi, Bali, CHANGE, Deva Premal, my sister Glory for being just that, Ani Difranco, GRATITUDE, downtempo - ambient - groove, my Mac, Krishna Das, the generosity of the UNIVERSE, Arundhati Roy, Stephen Lewis, WATER...and the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on
View Brenda McMorrow's EPK
.Brenda's music sounds like fresh inspiration, beautiful light just before dusk, that feeling you get when you realize everything is wonderfully fine, just as it is.
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***************************************BRENDA MCMORROW*******************************************************************
Brenda McMorrow is a Canadian Devotional Chant artist whose fascination with the transformational power of music has drawn her to explore sound and chant traditions first-hand across the planet. Her early musical career began when she moved from British Columbia to Ontario to attend university in the early 1990’s. She was one of the founders of folk/rock band Julia Propeller -a campus radio and CBC favourite – which released two celebrated albums, toured extensively and opened for and shared festival rosters with acts like Ani Difranco and Bruce Cockburn.
It was when Brenda participated in her first Sanskrit chant while attending a Yoga workshop in 2004 that she had a profound knowing about where her musical journey was leading. Brenda remembers: “It was a very simple chant (Om Namah Shivaya), and at the time I had no idea what it signified: all I knew was that every cell in my body started vibrating, and I felt absolute joy”. While in India soon thereafter, Brenda began combining her own songwriting with sacred devotional chants - and she has been flowing with this divine wave of Bhakti energy ever since. Sharing devotional music with others has become her true heart offering.
********THE MUSIC PLAYERS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES *****Brenda's music is a lush, melodic, soul-expanding fusion of East and West; songs rich in world beats and grooves, acoustic guitar, modern melodies and ancient mantras. Brenda and her group of musical yoginis and yogis perform devotional songs and Kirtan "call and response", inviting the audience to join them in invoking the blissful connection that sound can create between the physical and spiritual realms. Venues for their gatherings include yoga studios, performance halls, churches, private homes and outdoor festivals; anywhere people love to gather and share music together. Brenda performs on vocals and acoustic guitar with a rotating array of guest musicians, including percussionists Roberto Menegoni (Barenaked Ladies) and Morgan Doctor (David Newman, The Cliks); singer/harmonium player Allison Menegoni; singer Shannon Kingsbury; bassist Chris Gartner (Look People, Tasa, Swaha); and Shakuhachi flute player Debbie Danbrook. ****************** THE NEW ALBUM *************Brenda has recently released her debut Kirtan album Ameya and is back in the studio with producer/co-writer Ben Leinbach (Jai Uttal/Deva Premal) recording her next album of devotional songs, which will be released with Colorado audio publisher Sounds True.************************************************************
WHAT IS KIRTAN? ********************************************* Kirtan – a practice of Bhakti Yoga (the Yoga of Devotion)- is a call and response form of singing which is expanding throughout North America as westerners discover it’s uplifting, healing and joyous effects. Open to participants of all religions or no religion at all, Kirtan is easy to learn and participate in. The lead singer sings simple and beautiful melodies and the crowd responds either by memory or by using lyric sheets provided. Brenda explains, “Singing together– chanting the Divine names – encourages our hearts to open and the beauty of our true beings to shine!”.
Chant artist David Stringer tells us "Sanskrit is the mother tongue of many modern languages, and a kind of periodic table of elemental sound-meaning. The mantras are primarily recitations of names given to the divine. But perhaps the true understanding of the mantras can be found in the sense of unity, well-being and timelessness that they elicit. Ecstasy is both the process and the product."
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PHOTOS FROM RECENT KIRTANS IN ONTARIO AND '08 KIRTAN COLLEGE W/ DURGA DAS AND BHAGAVAN DAS, KASHI ASHRAM, FLORIDA:
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Hi Brenda..appreciate your thoughts ..that is Allyson Morris singing with me..she is from Toronto. I went into your website today and I also was pleasently surprised by your music. The music on your page is wonderful. Very well done! I look forward to going to one of your kirtans. blessings Anthony
Show people this photo by sending them this public link:<br />http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6425993&l=3d10d2369d&id=814650480<br /><br />Hi Brenda, these are photos I took at KD's kirtan Saturday night - wonderful to sing with him - (however it wasn't a kirtan venue - all the audience singing disappeared into the ether - was hoping to be enveloped, surrounded, immersed in a 1200 voice sound).<br />Hope to see you at RainbowBody,<br />maie
I never, ever, ever come here anymore beloved Brenda; only did today to share your beautiful music with my friend...not sure I will be at the Kirtan tommorrow - though it's probably exactly what I need; feeling a wee bit overwhelmed with life ... but wanted to let you know that Cartwheel Galaxy still transforms me to that place you know about - ahhh Brenda - I miss your light. Lots of love - xo
Thanks for adding The Loop ... In case you don't already know about it... Check out my Guelph Music & Events calendar & weekly email bulletin - WWW.THELOOP.CA. You can add your shows to it
Hi Brenda, It was fabulous to meet you at the Berkeley show. I am super excited about your new CD!!! Can't wait for a listen.... love, Sarah PS you are cute as a button!
Jai Ma! Thanks for your lovely message. You may wish to check out the following link which has images of Anandamayi Ma accompanied by Sri Ma: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bwSAbVhiuaI With love and blessings, xxx
