On a beautiful full moon night on December 16, 2005, Steve Oda and
Mike Lewis performed for the benefit of the victims from the terrible
earthquake that rocked the Himalayas on October 8, 2005. Featuring Ragas Chandrandan and Misra Khammaj the 'Ragas of North India' is a direct recording of that wonderful performance held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Berkeley, California.
Steve began his musical education at the age of seven, learning to play slide guitar and then jazz guitar. His love of creativity through musical expression led him to the classical music of North India and the sarode. His practice started earnestly with Ustad Aashish Khan in 1971, and then in 1973 becoming a disciple of Aashish's father, the legendary musician, Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, one of India's living treasures. Since then Steve has dedicated himself to fully learning this complex art form and to carry on the teachings of his illustrious guru. In 1996, he received a prestigious Canada Council Artist's Grant to pursue intensive studies at an advanced level with Ali Akbar Khan. He moved to the San Francisco Bay area in 1998 and served for two years as Executive Director of the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California.
For over thirty years Steve has been blessed with many international performances that have included such outstanding musicians as Pandit Sharda Sahai, Bob Becker (NEXUS), Ravi Naimpally (TASA), Ty Burhoe, Anubrata Chatterjee, Vineet Vyas, and Michael Lewis. He has also been privileged to accompany many eminent musicians including Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Sharda Sahai, Ustad Aashish Khan and Pandit Anindo Chatterjee. The demand for his playing continues to increase throughout North America as well as in Spain, France, Holland, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and, most recently in Japan, where he has just returned from two highly successful tours. Steve has also recorded on select recordings including Tala Records 2006 release, “Invocation” and has recently released a CD on CDBaby entitled, 'Ragas of North India' featuring Ragas Chandranandan and Misra Khammaj with Michael Lewis (www.cdbaby.som/steveoda). A second CD with Debopriyo Sarkar on tabla includes Raga Marwa and will soon be available also on CDBaby. He currently resides in San Rafael actively teaching and performing the beautiful music of North India.
..This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5
Konnichiwa, Hi, Arigato, thanks for your friendship. I love Indian music very much. When you were in India at 1973, also I was over there and I got a Sitar at Varanasi. Your sound is fabulous, so beautiful and fantasy. I like very much. Attached some photos when I was in India.
Hello Steve!! How are you? I hope all is going fine for you! I stop by to wish you a wonderful and very cheerful new week! All my friendship from south of France! Aurélie
