Introduction
Sanjay Mishrais an Indian-American musician who began performing after completing his studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Sanjay plays with an eclecticism well suited to his multicultural background combining both Eastern and Western influences. He has been quoted saying, "I come from a tradition that has a lot of improvisation. Sometimes Western classical music can seem a little rigid, I had to find some middle ground." Sanjay plays a nylon string MIDI classical electric guitar. He uses various looping devices and MIDI instruments to create a lush sound.
Education
Graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Johns Hopkins University in 1987.
Early career
Sanjay first came to public acclaim for his album Blue Incantation with guitarist Jerry Garcia ofThe Grateful Dead. It is one of Mr. Garcia's last works. Tributes to Mr. Garcia's work occur in Sanjay's concerts.
Present and future
His album Chateau Benares (October 2006) with guest appearances by DJ Logic and Keller Williams, among others, was received with rave reviews on National Public Radio and The Washington Post.
He has also composed music for films. His score for the French film Port Djema was presented The Lifetime Vision Award at the Hamptons Film Festival in New York and described as "hauntingly beautiful". The film won The Golden Bear at The Berlin Film Festival in 1996.
Mr. Mishra primarily records on Akar Music, distributed by City Hall Records in San Rafael, CA. His music has also been released on PolyGram, Philips, EMI Records, Mercury, Ryko, Putumayo, Melodia and other labels. He is author of Guitar Atlas: India, published by Alfred enhanced by Sanjay's "intimate knowledge of the relationship between Indian music and the guitar".
He is currently Head of the Recording Technology Program at Northern Virginia Community College in the Washington D.C. area.
Discography
Albums
- The Crossing (1993)
- Blue Incantation (1995) – with Jerry Garcia
- Port Djema (1997) – soundtrack
- Rescue (2000) – with Dennis Chambers and Samir Chatterjee
- Chateau Benares (2006)
- Lamplighter (2014)
Compilations
- Music From the Tea Lands (2000) Putumayo World
- Deep Orient, Vol. 2 (2001) Melodia (France)
- Indian Spirit – 3 (2009) EMI Records
Guest appearances
- Trusty – Goodbye, Dr. Fate (1995)
- Dream (2007)
Publishing
- Guitar Atlas: India published by Alfred Publishing