Manisha Shahane

Artist Information

Biography

Ten years ago, singer-pianist Manisha Shahane unwittingly launched her career as a performing songwriter when she hung posters around Central Square and invited friends to hear some of her original songs at the Cezanne Café & Bakery in Cambridge, MA on November 21, 1999. The coffee shop ran out of bread for sandwiches during what turned out to be a standing-room-only show. Afterwards, she sheepishly passed around a mailing list “just in case I perform my songs again sometime.”

Manisha has since given well over 150 performances as a performing songwriter and countless more as a guest or band member of other groups. Following the 2004 release of her debut album, "Peace in Progress," her shows garnered audiences in numerous cities in the US, as well as in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and London. After shoveling more than 40 inches of snow following a Boston blizzard, Manisha (wisely) relocated to sunny Los Angeles at the end of 2005. Established clubs at which she has appeared in the Los Angeles area include The Coffee Gallery Back Stage, Genghis Cohen, The Mint, and Temple Bar, among others. She is equally comfortable performing in family-friendly environments such as schools, nursing homes, religious halls, & community centers, such as LA’s Grammy Museum at which she performed twice this year. Manisha has also performed on college campuses including Wellesley College, Brandeis University, and Brown University.

Examples of notable invitations have included:

Women in Jazz Festival, UMass Amherst/Vermont Jazz Center (2005)

Local Colors International Festival, Roanoke, VA (2006)

Brihan Maharashtra Mandal Convention, Seattle, WA (2007)

UCLA Semel Institute Concert Series, Los Angeles, CA (2007)

With experience in genres ranging from Jazz to Classical to Rock to Indian music to Reggae to Afro-Cuban Armenian Salsa – and her original music - she has worked with musicians such as pianist Vince Evans (Luther Vandross, Dianne Reeves), percussionist Jerry Leake (Ali Akbar Khan, Natraj), bassist Eli Magen (Israeli Philharmonic), drummer Alison Miller (Sheila Jordan, Norah Jones), plus guitarists Kevin Barry (Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paula Cole) & Prasanna (Joe Lovano, Hari Prasad Chaurasia), and multi-instrumentalist Akili Jamal Haynes (Lenny Kravitz, Roberta Flack). One of her memorable experiences was singing at Carnegie Hall as a member of Boston’s Chorus pro Musica.

Combining a coming-of-age in southern Virginia with her Maharashtrian heritage, Manisha’s performances are a musical collage of folk, jazz, and Indian traditions, featuring her original songs & compositions, as well as covers and special arrangements. A 2008, 2009, & 2010 recipient of the ASCAPlus Award in the Jazz and Popular Division, Manisha released a single titled "Speak, Memory Speak" (Oct 2009), through which she hopes to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease. In 2008 and 2009, she took some time off to tend to family matters and complete her next album, "When Parallel Lines Meet." Her sophomore project is scheduled for release in the US on April 16, 2010.

Instrumentation

For Solo Performances:
Manisha Shahane: Voice, piano, guitar, frame drum

For Band Performances:
Manisha Shahane: Voice, piano, guitar, frame drum
Geoff Rakness: Upright bass
Mark San Filippo: Drums
Dawn Norfleet: Flute/Vocals

Special guests may participate on:
Tabla/multi-percussion (in addition to or in lieu of drums), Bansuri (bamboo flute), Electric and/or acoustic guitars, Cello

Discography

Upcoming Releases
2010 “When Parallel Lines Meet”, Manisha Shahane – Sophomore Album

Independent Releases
2009 “Speak, Memory Speak”, Manisha Shahane – Single (not featured on any album)
2004 “Peace in Progress”, Manisha Shahane – Debut Album

Examples of other projects on which Manisha appears:
2005 “Blind – Desi Remixes”, Red Star Entertainment/Sony (India)
2004 “Crimean Dance Party”, Black Sea Salsa
2001 “911”, Jadius, single
1995 “Colored Glass Canopy”, Distraction
1994 “Let’s Not Split Atoms”, Distraction, demo
1993 “Bar Belles”, Virginia Belles
1991 “Belle Bottoms”, Virginia Belles
1990 “Acabellea”, Virginia Belles

Media Placement
2009 Public Service Announcement to prevent domestic violence
produced by South Asian Network uses song "Shyam Rao-chi Mulgee" by Manisha Shahane

Links

• Manisha Shahane - Official Website
• Manisha Shahane on Twitter
• Manisha Shahane - Artist Page on Facebook
• Manisha Shahane on YouTube
• Manisha Shahane on MySpace

Audio

• How Things Change (to be released with new album)
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• Girls Gone World (to be released with new album)
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• Into the Valley (to be released with new album)
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• First Dance (to be released with new album)
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• ALBUM SAMPLER - When Parallel Lines Meet - To be released in 2010
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• Speak, Memory Speak (2009 SINGLE not on upcoming album)
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• Love Sheets (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
  Listen  
• Something In Your Voice (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
  Listen  
• What I Want to Know (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
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• Imaginary Train (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
  Listen  
• Shyam Rao-chi Mulgee (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
  Listen  
• Peace in Progress (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
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• Where the Ocean Greets the Sky (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
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Lyrics

• Speak, Memory Speak (SINGLE, Released Oct 2009)
• Something In Your Voice (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• What I Want to Know (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• Imaginary Train (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• Shyam Rao-chi Mulgee (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• Peace in Progress (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• Where the Ocean Greets the Sky (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)
• Love Sheets (ALBUM: Peace in Progress)

Video

Manisha Shahane at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2009

Photo Gallery

Press

• A true “find”...capable of many moods and colors [+ Show ]
  

  Although born and raised in the U.S., Manisha Shahane displays much of her Indian roots on this, her...Although born and raised in the U.S., Manisha Shahane displays much of her Indian roots on this, her debut album. She depicts it as “rooted in folk, jazz, classical and Indian traditions” and all these elements are displayed throughout. A track-by-track assessment shows an opening of traditional Indian instruments with Shahane singing in the Marathi language. This is followed by 45 minutes of her beautiful, lyrical voice on very meaningful lyrics – most sung in English. On track #3, she also is heard on vibes and piano, while #4 asks such interesting questions as:”Why do you laugh when you look at me, I’m only a little bit clumsy,” the title of the song.
  
  On #5 there is an acoustic bass solo by Blake Newman, offering another flavor; next she has overdubbed her voice for a choral effect; then she moves into another Marathi piece, “Nachre Mora,” one of the few non-original pieces. Her low, smoky voice is well suited to “Something In Your Voice, which also features flutist Dominique Gagne. Retuning to Marathi, Shahane accompies her voice on acoustic piano, which is followed by a delightful childlike “Willows;” then closes with “Love Sheets,” which speaks of her childhood home and her parents and what she most cherishes about those times.
  
  Manisha is a true “find” in the musical field. She’s capable of many moods and colors, and she, too, is concerned about our difficult times. She says “I used to believe that conflicting internal commentary, misunderstandings in our homes and communities and wars, obstructed peace, until I realized that navigating this terrain is part of our collective peace in progress.” Her music and words do indeed reflect a way of being involved in change.
  
  FOR MORE PRESS, PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Manisha Shahane fuses cultures in music [+ Show ]
  

  Los Angeles-based Manisha Shahane has performed her eclectic blend of jazz and Indian grooves around...Los Angeles-based Manisha Shahane has performed her eclectic blend of jazz and Indian grooves around the world in places such as Israel, the United Kingdom and America. Her lyrics are heartfelt and soul-baring at times, merely observational at others. They intertwine moods, cultures and even languages, with Shahane easily singing in Marathi, Hindi and English.
  
  Shahane has lent her talents to a clutch of albums and released a solo effort, "Peace in Progress," in 2004. In 2008 and 2009, she was the recipient of the ASCAPlus Award in the Jazz and Popular Division.
  
  Shahane is primarily a vocalist, but also plays piano and guitar. For her performance at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, she will be joined by bassist Geoff Rakness, drummer Mark San Filippo and vocalist and flute player Dawn Norfleet.
  
  Shahane was born in Virgina and had her first taste of entertainment at age 6, singing in a talent show. Her musical dream came into focus a few years later.
  
  "I remember the first time I was asked what I wanted to be and I said a musician," Shahane said. "I was 11 at that time. I played piano first: that's my main instrument. I play guitar, but I'm not a guitarist."
  
  Shahane studied piano throughout high school and voice in college and while earning degrees in economics and foreign affairs. She has worked in the professional fields of business and consulting, as well as music-oriented jobs, such as serving as choral director with Urban Voices program of the Metropolitan Opera Guild and a musician-instructor for Rock the Classroom in L.A.
  
  "For many people you think about using your degree to earn a particular income," Shahane said. "Being a musician has been my focus since 2002. I think a lot of people don't understand how much organization is involved in the business side of music."
  
  Shahane composes most of her music on the piano or guitar and also experiments with a digital tabla. She doesn't have a formula to her writing, although she is aware of patterns that may come up.
  
  "I think sometimes what I do is like a collage, putting different things together," Shahane said.
  
  The songwriting varies. Sometimes the music will come first, other times the lyrics do. She also changes her pieces over time.
  
  "Sometimes I add things later and the song continues to evolve," Shahane said. "If you listen to the recorded version, then you go to YouTube and you see a live version, you'll hear a different arrangement."
  
  Shahane writes the English and Indian language lyrics for her material, and she also borrows lines from Indian poems, prayers and cover songs, often creating a masala by blending lines from each.
  
  Shahane considers herself a born and bred Southerner. She lived with her grandmother and two aunts in Mumbai, India during fourth grade and her experiences in both countries, along with her globetrotting, have filtered into her music.
  
  In India, "I had to learn the language to read and write, although I went to an English medium school," she said. "But I still needed to learn the language that we spoke at home and learn the script for that. Because I did that, my pronunciation of the Indian languages tends to be less Americanized. The switching back and forth (between languages) makes it sound like I have two voices," Shahane said.
  
  Shahane is married and has a 13-year-old stepson. She loves to cook. "Food is a big part of everything at rehearsal" she said. "Even on the next album, you're going to hear some mustard seeds popping for the food that I was cooking for the musicians who were there during that session. We'll have to see where I'm going to work that in."
  
  Shahane has been working on her next effort for two years and expects to release it sometime this year.
  
  At the Coffee Gallery Backstage, Shahane is promising a show filled with firsts. It will be the first time she has performed at the venue, the first time this incarnation of her group will play together and the first time she will introduce her alter-ego on stage, a character she wants to keep a surprise.
  
  
  FOR MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Delivers a glimmer of hope [+ Show ]
  

  "Shahane uses her brilliant musical talent to bridge the gaps in understanding between people, lands..."Shahane uses her brilliant musical talent to bridge the gaps in understanding between people, lands and cultures. She mixes in striking lyrics, in both English and some in her homeland tongue Marathi, to create a peaceful sound that delivers a glimmer of hope . . . Her capabilities go beyond her strong vocals and extend to instruments such as guitar and piano. Her piano playing sets the tone in many songs for relaxation . . .Manisha Shahane is a multi-talented woman who is true to her musical side. By making music, she leads others into her land of hope for the future and her realization of the hardships of life. Her vocals make the words jump to life and the musicians blend together to support a marvelous voyage into peace in progress. We are eagerly awaiting her next release which promises to take the singer even higher in terms of musical talent and notoriety. She is absolutely someone to watch on the music scene."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Tricky business done gracefully with motifs reminiscent of Miles Davis [+ Show ]
  

  "What I find most interesting is the material that combines the Eastern thing with the Western thing..."What I find most interesting is the material that combines the Eastern thing with the Western thing, because A. I think it sets a good example for the world, and B. I like it when new things are tried. "Love Sheets," for instance, offers motifs reminiscent of the opening on Miles Davis' "So What." But it also shares the characteristic of Middle Eastern clubs and discos (with which I am also familiar). It's tricky business to take a chance like that, but she does it gracefully and ends up with something new. This ambitious work covers a lot of territory, which is admirable. The compositions are skillful, the band is very good, and the ideas abound."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• A masterful musical storyteller [+ Show ]
  

  “Her smooth, clear voice is alluring and sweet, while her overall tone reveals a strong, proclamato... “Her smooth, clear voice is alluring and sweet, while her overall tone reveals a strong, proclamatory ideal about the world and her place in it. . . She is a masterful musical storyteller, using the tones and textures to create stories with not just lyrics, but context. In Imaginary Train, Manisha’s melody often takes unexpected turns, sending the song’s protagonist in new directions. As the song’s rhythmic and textural elements change and progress, sometimes drastically, the music unveils different parts of her emotional and physical journey. It is jazzy, well composed and exciting, leaving us to wonder, “what happens next?”. . . .Manisha’s lyrics, inspired by everyday characters she encounters, her personal life and her upbringing in India, in addition to her impeccable articulation, make the album easy to understand and enjoyable to interpret. Poetic and descriptive, her lyrics are personal: 'The light of the waxing moon guides me to where saltwater mangoes taste of your skin… with every footprint I am getting closer to where the ocean greets the sky.' One of Manisha’s strengths, in addition to being a solid and inventive musician, is connecting and collaborating with talented musicians. As heard on the recording, Manisha’s collaboration with Jerry Leake on tablas (Club D’elf, Ali Akbar Khan), Blake Newman on acoustic bass (Jeff Robinson Trio), guitarists Kevin Barry (Mary Chapin Carpenter) and Prasanna (Joe Lovano, Hari Prasad Chaurasia), plus percussionist Ricardo Monzon (Boston Pops, Myanna) proves to be unique and enchanting."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Music that demands you listen all the way [+ Show ]
  

  "Manisha Shahane’s CD, "Peace in Progress," is a real musical journey that draws you right in. It is..."Manisha Shahane’s CD, "Peace in Progress," is a real musical journey that draws you right in. It is music that demands you listen all the way or not at all. A heady mix of folk, jazz, classical and Indian traditions that reveals layer after layer after every listen. Manisha’s personal tales go on an introspective journey and she wears her heart on her sleeve. Most of the lyrics are her own, although "Collage #1” is based on a Marathi poem by Anant Bhave and she also performs her own version of the popular children’s song, “Nachre Mora”. Marathi is her parents’ native tongue, a language spoken in the Maharashtra state of India. In “Shyam Rao-chi Mulgee", one of Manisha’s originals, she shifts from English to Marathi effortlessly, creating quite an intriguing mood. "Love Sheets" uses her bed sheets as a memory portal to her childhood. The music has a free, lively, feel to it. Manisha's jazzy piano is front and center and generally echoes her melodies. With the narrative stories, the music also takes many unusual turns - from daring time shifts, to dramatic key changes, through sudden bursts of tabla and scat-like Indian singing."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Beautiful crystal clear voice [+ Show ]
  

  “Combine traditional Indian music, jazz, classical piano, piano rock, folk, and a beautiful crystal ...“Combine traditional Indian music, jazz, classical piano, piano rock, folk, and a beautiful crystal clear voice and you get the amazing sounds of Manisha Shahane. . .an elaborate collage of these styles with expressive lyrics and harmonies that take you on a journey through her soul. . .Manisha really brings out the emotion of her lyrics in both her angelic voice and the intricate harmonies which make you want to replay these tracks to return to the places she has taken you. . . Her jazz background is depicted in many of her songs, particularly standing out in “What I Want to Know,” which flaunts soothing vocals and bouncing bass line. . . Peace In Progress is a truly unique album, and with so many styles incorporated, it is hard to avoid being intrigued."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• A lilting, gentle, eastern sound that is kind to western ears [+ Show ]
  

  “Shahane’s compositions have the power to surprise, as well as to take one back in time and space. A...“Shahane’s compositions have the power to surprise, as well as to take one back in time and space. Although firmly rooted in the Indian traditional style, she clearly has universal appeal. Her charming Marathi verses transport you to distant lands and a bygone era. Shahane has created a truly unique listening experience, a lilting, gentle, eastern sound that is kind to western ears...It manages to achieve that elusive ‘best of both worlds’ medium.”
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Strong voice and flair for meaningful lyrics [+ Show ]
  

  "Shahane opened the performance and was joined by Blake Newman on bass and Jerry Leake on tabla and ..."Shahane opened the performance and was joined by Blake Newman on bass and Jerry Leake on tabla and multipercussion. Fans of Shahane’s probably recognized several of the tunes performed, but no matter, for her music is deserving of multiple listens. With complex rhythms and well-constructed melody lines, Shahane’s songs demonstrate a variety of influences ranging from deep, bluesy jazz numbers to Indian folk tunes. Her music has a nostalgic feel to it, and she is skilled at using unexpected harmonic twists to create tension in the passages without lyrics.
  
  Leake’s performance on the tabla is simply outstanding. His technique is flawless, and in his hands percussion becomes an instrument of melody in addition to rhythm. Newman was given several opportunities to demonstrate his facility on the acoustic bass, which he did with great success. Shahane is taking some time off from performing to concentrate on completing a CD, titled Peace in Progress. She closed her performance with what will be the title work on the disk, a piece for voice and guitar that showcases her strong voice and flair for meaningful lyrics."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

• Shahane and her colleagues should not be missed [+ Show ]
  

  "Shahane came back to the stage, this time as part of a trio that included Blake Newman on bass and ..."Shahane came back to the stage, this time as part of a trio that included Blake Newman on bass and Ko Kanza on percussion. Shahane’s vocal and piano skills are both top-notch; anyone who has ever had to sing a whole tone scale for a music theory class will appreciate the one that was part of her first tune. Like Cheron before her, Shahane’s lyrics are as strong as her music. Too often it is easy for songwriters to resort to clichés. Shahane does not, and her music is all the more entertaining for it. The highlight of Shahane’s performance was her fourth selection, which has a mellow jazz opening that moves into a quick jazz waltz, giving the piece the feel of a carousel gone awry. The moving back and forth between styles perfectly caught the mood of the tune. . .The atmosphere of musical camaraderie is one that any musician will welcome, and Shahane is to be commended for her work in making this atmosphere available to Boston musicians. . .Manisha Shahane and her colleagues should not be missed."
  
  FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE and MORE PRESS PLEASE VISIT the PRESS page on www.ManishaMusic.com

Setlist

Manisha is available to perform solo or with her band for any length of time up to 2 hours. Titles include songs released on her Peace in Progress album, as well as unpublished titles, samples of which may be heard in the audio section of this EPK. While she is focused on performance of original work, she may sing a song or two that have influenced her work, such as her own interpretation of an Indian song, jazz standard, or other song.

Basic Requirements

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