"The guitar is not an instrument I play.
It is a place I go to listen."
Shambhu is a new-age jazz guitarist and composer whose music invites listeners into a world of serenity, depth, and heartfelt connection. Based in Westhampton, NY, he blends acoustic jazz, ambient textures, and spiritual sensitivity into an unmistakably soulful sound.
Raised on jazz guitar and shaped by rock, jazz, classical, and Brazilian music — especially The Beatles — his compositions radiate peace and inner clarity. Shambhu studied meditation with Indian spiritual teacher Sri Chinmoy for nearly three decades, shaping his musical approach to "become the instrument" and let music flow through the heart.
His collaborations include world-class players such as Will Ackerman, Eugene Friesen, Jeff Oster, Kristin Hoffmann, Leo Steinriede, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Haynes, Todd Boston, and Ravichandra Kulur.
Before music became his full-time path, Shambhu led a successful career in public relations, guiding major brands and tech startups. He also created the global Peace Run for Sri Chinmoy, reaching millions with a message of peace. Today he brings that same empathy and communication mastery to his music — creating sounds that comfort, uplift, and unite.
In 2023, Shambhu began releasing all new music in Dolby Atmos — a conviction that spatial audio is the closest we can get to placing someone inside the music itself.
At ten years old, a guitar entered his hands and never left. That first Gretsch — sunburst, hollow-body, full of promise — was where the story began. A boy, a chord, and a lifelong conversation with music.
Shambhu studied meditation with Sri Chinmoy for over 30 years. Here he is receiving his spiritual name Shambhu — a name that carries the light of his inner journey and the music that flows from the heart at peace.
Before the contemplative path, there was rock — the full-voltage kind. Shambhu shared the Nassau Coliseum stage with Carlos Santana at a benefit concert, a moment that confirmed: music moves people, and that power carries responsibility.
Shambhu created the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run for Sri Chinmoy who had the inspiration and vision for this Run — a global torch relay bringing peace, unity, and light to communities around the world. Peace begins with me. Take a step for peace at peacerun.org.
The ocean, the horizon, and a guitar at sunset. Maui became a recurring place of renewal — where the distinction between playing music and receiving it dissolves, and silence becomes the most eloquent note.
Performing at Pilgrimage Yoga Studios in San Diego — where the audience arrives not to be entertained, but to be still together. This is the space Shambhu's music was made for: concert as sanctuary, sound as shared breath.
On the rocks at Swami's Beach — tide pools, salt air, and the Yogananda Temple on the bluff above. Where the waves set the tempo and the sky is the ceiling. Some compositions arrive fully formed in places like this.
Every Shambhu recording begins with intention. Not a musical intention — a human one. What state of being does this music want to call forward? Calm? Presence? Gratitude? Healing?
The guitar follows. The notes follow. The recording follows. The result is music that doesn't feel composed so much as remembered — as if it was always there, waiting.
This is not background music. It rewards attention. And it rewards inattention equally — letting it carry you without demanding to be heard.
Every piece is made as an offering. Not performance — gift. Love and gratitude are not themes Shambhu writes about; they are the conditions from which the music is made.
The music is an invitation to arrive here, now. Not to think about the past or plan the future — to inhabit the only moment there is. The guitar as a doorway, not a destination.
The Hamptons coast, the tidal marshes, the long light of late afternoon — these aren't just settings. They are collaborators. The music carries their rhythm, their patience, their unhurried unfolding.
With Todd Boston — Shambhu's longtime collaborator who mixes in Dolby Atmos and masters every album and EP. Their partnership began with Soothe and has defined every release since.
Other key collaborators include Will Ackerman, Eugene Friesen, Jeff Oster, Kristin Hoffmann, Leo Steinriede, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Haynes, Ravichandra Kulur, George Brooks, and Premik Russell Tubbs — world-class musicians who bring their artistry to the work.
Releases Quogue Morning single. Publishes "From Music to Market" — a guide for independent musicians. Launches Artist Spotlight video interview series. Releases Love And The Sea single.
Lotus Dream released in Dolby Atmos. Transcendence named Best Album of March by One World Music Radio. SiriusXM Spa Channel adds Shall We and Visions. Launches Shambhu Sessions podcast. Singles: Shall We, Ananya, Awakened Dreams, Resilience.
Reflections wins Best Album of the Month (Steve Sheppard Award) from One World Music Radio. Featured on Putumayo World Music compilation. Lazy Afternoon wins Best New Age Acoustic Song at New Age Notes Radio Awards. SiriusXM adds Reflections and Openings.
Acoustic Oasis released — first full Dolby Atmos album. Life Passage wins Best New Age Acoustic Album at New Age Notes Radio Awards.
Life Passage EP released. Single Life Passage — a tribute to Chick Corea — released April 27. Heart Awakening wins Best New Age Acoustic Single at One World Music Radio Awards.
Heart Awakening EP released on Shambhu's birthday — May 31. Singles Heart Awakening (April 20) and Infinite Eyes (May 20).
Heart Awakening debuts on The Quarantine Concert Series, hosted by Grammy-winner Kabir Sehgal. Lilac Skies nominated Best Jazz Album by San Diego Reader.
Lilac Skies released.
Soothe released — with Paul McCandless, Michael Manring, Frank Martin, Kristin Hoffmann, Ravichandra Kulur, Premik Russell Tubbs, Jeff Haynes, George Brooks, Todd Boston. Featured on Sounds from the Circle IX compilation.
Featured on Ricochet – The Echoes Living Room Concerts (Vol. 20) and The Gathering II compiled by Will Ackerman. Dreaming of Now wins Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at the ZMR Music Awards.
Dreaming of Now released — with Will Ackerman, Thomas Eaton, George Brooks, Eugene Friesen, Premik Russell Tubbs, Jeff Haynes, Charlie Bisharat, Frank Martin, Jeff Oster, and Celso Alberti. Featured on The Guitar – The Best of New Age Reviews (Spain).
Sacred Love released — with Tony Levin, Eugene Friesen, Jill Haley, Will Ackerman, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Oster, Premik Russell Tubbs, Ravichandra Kulur, Claytoven Richardson. Reaches #1 on ZMR New Age Music charts.
This is musical artistry at its most masterful. Apart from breathing and being alive, the music seems to bring back your own life force in a completely effortless way. That's true musical genius.
Instrumental guitar music really doesn't come any better — one of the best acoustic guitar performances of the year.
Ten gracefully melodic and tenderly rhythmic gems — simply rendered yet emotionally epic.