Mushrafali (Michael Smolens)

Mushrafali draws from many sources for his inspiration and loves to share that with others in sacred space: jazz, classical, West African, North Indian, Middle Eastern and Sufi. His instruments include piano & synthesizer, hand & mallet percussion, alto flute and voice. His eight CDs include jazz legends Paul McCandless (reeds), Stefon Harris (vibes), Zakir Hussain (tabla) and members of Bobby McFerrin's "Voicestra." He leads and composes for the groundbreaking vocal group "The Mirabai Ensemble" as well as the "KRIYA" Octet, "earPlay Jazzquintet", and West-African trio "Bal du Kor." Accompanying Sufi 'zikhrs' (sacred movement meditations) is one of his loves as well as setting Sufi poetry with stage magician Heather Rogers.

As a teacher, Mushrafali has been working privately, in groups, and with other teachers for over 35 years and is adjunct faculty at JFK and Sonoma State Universities. In addition to PhoenixFire, he has presented at SpiritFire, MayMoon, and FIREDANCE. A wide range of modalities are integral to his teaching, including: physical re-training methodology, linguistic-conceptual models, Buddhism, and Western & non-Western musical traditions. Creating practical tools for musicians is available through his instructional CDs and his book "Turning Your Practicing Into Gold: Three Views of a Secret—a workbook for all performing and fine artists" is due out by the end of this year.