Laraaji
Encyclopedia
Laraaji is an American
musician
. Born Edward Larry Gordon in Philadelphia, he studied violin, piano, trombone and voice in his early years in New Jersey. He attended Howard University
, a historically black university in Washington, D.C.
on a scholarship to study composition and piano
. After studying at Howard
, he spent time in New York
pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian
and actor
.
In the early seventies he began to study Eastern mysticism
and believed he'd found a new path for his music and his life. It was also at this time he bought his first zither
from a local pawn shop. Converting it to an electronic instrument, he began to experiment using the instrument like a piano. By 1978, he developed enough skill to begin busking
in the parks and on the sidewalks of New York.
The following year he was "discovered" by Brian Eno
while playing in Washington Square Park. The result was his most widely-recognized release, Ambient 3: Day of Radiance
, the third installment of Brian Eno's
Ambient series. This was his first album released under the name of Laraaji.
This international exposure led to many requests for longer versions of his compositions which he supplied to many meditation groups on cassette tapes. It also resulted in an expansion of his mystic studies with such gurus as Swami Satchidananda
and Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, founder of the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York.
Another product of Laraaji's increasing enlightenment was the creation of the Laughter Meditation Workshops which he still presents around the globe.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Born Edward Larry Gordon in Philadelphia, he studied violin, piano, trombone and voice in his early years in New Jersey. He attended Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, a historically black university in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
on a scholarship to study composition and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
. After studying at Howard
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
, he spent time in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
In the early seventies he began to study Eastern mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
and believed he'd found a new path for his music and his life. It was also at this time he bought his first zither
Zither
The zither is a musical string instrument, most commonly found in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary citera, northwestern Croatia, the southern regions of Germany, alpine Europe and East Asian cultures, including China...
from a local pawn shop. Converting it to an electronic instrument, he began to experiment using the instrument like a piano. By 1978, he developed enough skill to begin busking
Busking
Street performance or busking is the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities, which are generally in the form of money and edibles...
in the parks and on the sidewalks of New York.
The following year he was "discovered" by Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
while playing in Washington Square Park. The result was his most widely-recognized release, Ambient 3: Day of Radiance
Day of Radiance
Ambient 3: Day of Radiance is an album by the American ambient musician Laraaji which was produced by Brian Eno.-Overview:...
, the third installment of Brian Eno's
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
Ambient series. This was his first album released under the name of Laraaji.
This international exposure led to many requests for longer versions of his compositions which he supplied to many meditation groups on cassette tapes. It also resulted in an expansion of his mystic studies with such gurus as Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda
Swami Satchidananda , born as C. K. Ramaswamy Gounder, was an Indian religious teacher, spiritual master and yoga adept, who gained fame and following in the West during his time in New York. He was the author of many philosophical and spiritual books, including a popular illustrative book on Hatha...
and Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, founder of the Ananda Ashram in Monroe, New York.
Another product of Laraaji's increasing enlightenment was the creation of the Laughter Meditation Workshops which he still presents around the globe.
Releases
- Celestial Vibration (Swan - 1978)
- Lotus-Collage (Laraaji - 1979)
- Ambient 3: Day Of RadianceDay of RadianceAmbient 3: Day of Radiance is an album by the American ambient musician Laraaji which was produced by Brian Eno.-Overview:...
(Editions EG - 1980) - I Am Ocean (Celestial Vibration - 1981)
- Rhythm N' Bliss (Third Ear - 1982)
- Om Namah Shivaya (Celestial Vibration - 1984)
- Sun Zither (Laraaji - 1984)
- Vision Songs #1 (Laraaji - 1984)
- Open Sky (Celestial Vibration - 1985)(w. Brother Ah)
- Live at WNYC (Laraaji - 1985)
- One - All Loving One (Laraaji - 1985)
- Celestial Realms (Spirit Music - 1986) (w. Lyghte a.k.a. Jonathan GoldmanJonathan GoldmanJonathan Goldman is an author, musician and teacher in the fields of Harmonics and Sound Healing. He is based in Boulder, CO. His career spans over 30 years...
) - Once Upon a Zither (Laraaji - 1986)
- Essence/Universe (Jem - 1987)
- Music for Films III (Opal - 1989) (various artists)
- Zither Bliss (Laraaji - 1987)
- White Light Music (Laraaji - 1987)
- Urban Saint (Laraaji - 1987)
- Sol (Laraaji - 1987) (w. Larry Kramer)
- Freeflow - I'm in Heaven (Celestial Vibration - 1980s)
- I Am Healing (Celestial Vibration - 1980s) (w. Shree Vena)
- Unicorns in Paradise (Laraaji - 1980s)
- I Am Loved (Laraaji - 1980s)
- I Am Sky (Laraaji - 1980s)
- Bring Forth (Your Highest Vision) (Laraaji - 1980s)
- Selected New Music III (Clear Music - 1991) (various artists)
- Flow Goes the Universe (All Saints RecordsAll Saints RecordsAll Saints Records is a British independent record label. It was established in 1991 by Dominic Norman-Taylor. They have published Ambient music from the likes of Brian Eno or Biosphere.-History:...
- 1993) - Automatic (Gyroscope - 1994) (as part of Channel Light Vessel)
- The Way Out Is the Way In (All Saints Records- 1995) (with Audio ActiveAudio ActiveAudio Active were a Japanese reggae band who released several albums between the mid-1990s and the early first decade of the 21st century.-History:...
) - Islands (Sine - 1995) (w. Roger Eno)
- Excellent Spirits (All Saints Records - 1996) (as part of Channel Light Vessel)
- Cascade (a.k.a. Enlighten) (Relaxation Co. - 1997)
- Divination/Sacrifice (Meta 1998) (w. Bill Laswell)
- Celestial Reiki (Etherean - 2000) (w. Jonathan GoldmanJonathan GoldmanJonathan Goldman is an author, musician and teacher in the fields of Harmonics and Sound Healing. He is based in Boulder, CO. His career spans over 30 years...
) - Shiva Shakti Groove (Collective - 2000)
- Celestial Zone (Laraaji - 2002)
- My Orangeness (VelNet - 2002)
- Celestial Reiki II (Etherean - 2002) (w. Jonathan GoldmanJonathan GoldmanJonathan Goldman is an author, musician and teacher in the fields of Harmonics and Sound Healing. He is based in Boulder, CO. His career spans over 30 years...
& Sarah Benson) - Water & Soft Zither (Laraaji - 2004)
- Laughter: The Best Medicine (Laraaji - 2004)
- Chakra Balancing Music (Laraaji - 2004)
- In a Celestial Water Garden (Laraaji - 2005)
- Sonic Sketches (w. Nadi Burton - 2006)
- Song of Indra (w. Phil Gruber - 2006)
- Ambient Zither in G Pentatonic (Laraaji - 2007)
- Mountain Creek Water (Laraaji - 2007)
- Sonic Portals (Laraaji - 2008)