SHAMBHU SESSIONS

In this episode of  Shambhu Sessions , I welcome Tom Eaton, a Grammy-nominated ambient musician, producer, recording engineer, mix engineer, and mastering engineer. Since 1993, Tom has helped countless artists shape their music into finished recordings, and since 2009 he has enjoyed a long creative partnership with legendary Windham Hill founder and producer Will Ackerman at Imaginary Road Studios...

Grammy Award-winning engineer, producer, mixer, mastering engineer, and Dolby Atmos specialist Corin Nelsen joins Shambhu Sessions for an inspiring deep dive into the art of recording music. Corin spent decades as chief engineer at the legendary Imaginary Road Studios alongside Will Ackerman, helping shape the sound of hundreds of influential acoustic and instrumental recordings. In this conversat...

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 a...

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 h...

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 scen...

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...

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...

For more than 30 years, Putumayo World Music has introduced listeners to the sounds of cultures across the globe — from coffee houses and bookstores to streaming platforms worldwide. In this episode of Shambhu Sessions , I sit down with Jacob Edgar — producer, ethnomusicologist, and longtime creative force behind Putumayo — to explore the remarkable journey of the label and its evolution in a digi...

In this Episode of Shambhu Sessions , guitarist and composer Shambhu  sits down with legendary cellist Eugene Friesen —four-time Grammy Award winner, composer, educator, and one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary acoustic music. Eugene shares his journey from classical training to a life shaped by improvisation, listening, and nature-inspired music. He reflects on his formative years,...

In this heartfelt episode of Shambhu Sessions , I sit down with award-winning guitarist, sound healer, and composer Michelle Qureshi for an inspiring deep dive into her music, creative journey, and lifestyle of peace. We explore how Michelle blends classical guitar training with intuitive improvisation, her evolution into ambient and healing music, and how sound itself serves as her greatest inspi...

In the Season 2 premiere of  Shambhu Sessions , guitarist and host Shambhu sits down with bassist, composer, and innovator Michael Manring for a wide-ranging conversation about music, listening, and lifelong curiosity. From his early musical influences and studies with Jaco Pastorius, to his defining collaborations with Michael Hedges and Will Ackerman during the Windham Hill era, Michael reflects...

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions , guitarist and composer Shambhu sits down with flugelhorn and trumpet artist Jeff Oster — a dear friend, longtime collaborator, and one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz and New Age instrumental music. Jeff Oster's journey is anything but conventional. Before launching his recording career, he spent years balancing life as a financial advisor...

Welcome to  Shambhu Sessions , where we explore the heart, spirit, and stories behind the music. In  Episode 8 , I welcome one of my closest friends and longtime collaborators — guitarist, composer, producer, and sound-explorer Todd Boston . Todd and I met in 2009, and from the first moments we played together, we shared a creative and intuitive musical connection that has shaped both of our lives...

In this episode of  Shambhu Sessions , I sit down with the luminous Diane Arkenstone — a visionary composer, multi-instrumentalist, and pioneer in New Age, ambient, and cinematic music. Diane shares how she overcame health challenges and how music became her path to healing. We explore her creative flow, her alter egos like Enaid, Ah Nee Mah and Earth Trybe, and the inspiration behind her books an...

In this inspiring episode of Shambhu Sessions , guitarist and composer Vin Downes joins host Shambhu for a heartfelt conversation about the art of tone, touch, and truth in music. Vin shares his early journey from Ozzy Osbourne and heavy-metal roots to discovering Windham Hill Records and studying classical guitar — a path that would eventually lead him to record with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton a...

🎙 Shambhu Sessions – Episode 5 Guest: John Diliberto, Host of Echoes Radio 🔗 https://echoes.org In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, we celebrate the 36th anniversary of Echoes, the legendary nationally syndicated radio show that has shaped the sound of ambient, electronic, and new acoustic music since 1989. My guest is John Diliberto, Echoes' executive producer, and host — and one of the most re...

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with musical pioneer Will Ackerman — Grammy-winning guitarist, renowned producer, and founder of Windham Hill Records — whose timeless artistry has touched millions and earned 27 gold and platinum records. Will's journey helped define an entire genre—New Age and instrumental acoustic music—through his pioneering solo recordings...

Welcome to Episode 3 of Shambhu Sessions, a podcast of inspiring conversations with musicians, artists, and visionaries of our time. In this episode, I sit down with my dear friend and musical collaborator Kristin Hoffmann, a classically trained singer, composer, and producer whose work lives at the intersection of music, healing, nature, and consciousness. She calls herself a "Sonic Alchemist" —...

Welcome to Shambhu Sessions! In this episode, I sit down with RJ Lannan, one of the most respected voices in new age music for over 25 years. RJ is also the creator of Orphan Music – The Incomplete History of New Age Music, a ten-part documentary series that chronicles the origins, evolution, and future of new age music. Visit artisanmusicreviews.com for reviews and Orpan Music.   We talk about:...

In this episode, Shambhu sits down with guitarist/composer Leo Steinriede , co-creator of the ambient blues guitar duet Resilience . Recorded live in studio with no click or script, the track reflects a quiet strength and deep musical trust between the two artists. Shambhu and Leo discuss their spontaneous recording process, Leo's jazz background and arranging work, and how music becomes a vehicle...