Jai Uttal is a grammy nominee, kirtan artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist. He is considered a pioneer in the world music and Bhakti communities and has been leading, teaching, and performing around the world for 50 years.

Jai Uttal is a grammy nominee, kirtan artist, multi-instrumentalist, and ecstatic vocalist. He is considered a pioneer in the world music community with his combined influences from India and American rock and jazz. Jai has been leading, teaching, and performing World Music and kirtan—the ancient yoga of chanting or singing to God—around the world for close to 50 years, creating a safe environment for people to open their hearts and voices.

He grew up in New York City and lived in a home filled with music. Jai began studying classical piano at the age of seven, and later learned to play old-time banjo, harmonica, and guitar. At age 17, he heard Indian music for the first time, and two years later moved to California and studied under the famous sarod player, Ali Akbar Khan. Jai later began taking regular pilgrimages to India, living among the wandering street musicians of Bengal, and singing with the kirtan wallahs in the temple of his guru, Neem Karoli Baba.

Jai has emerged as a leading influence in the Bhakti tradition. He considers bhakti to be the core of his musical and spiritual life.

Welcome to Jai’s ever-growing Bhakti family! We invite you to experience Jai’s legacy of music and devotion, and explore the deep rivers of emotion that flow within all of our hearts.

At Kirtan Camp you will enjoy good company while dedicating hours to chanting and imbibing the ancient practices of Kirtan and Bhakti.

In the beautiful setting of Blue Spirit in Costa Rica we will be surrounded and inspired by the ever blooming landscape of the tropical jungle and the sweet, warm waters of the nurturing, ever changing ocean. This is the perfect environment to go inward and expand outward in song, celebration and invocation!