Krishna Das

Krishna Das, born Jeffrey Kagel in 1947, is an American vocalist known as the "rock star of yoga" for his ecstatic chanting (kirtan) performances that have introduced millions of Westerners to the devotional music of India. After spending time in India studying with guru Neem Karoli Baba in the early 1970s alongside Ram Dass, he returned to the US and eventually began leading kirtan — the ancient practice of call-and-response chanting of sacred Sanskrit mantras. Since his debut album "One Track Heart" (1996), Krishna Das has released over 20 albums of devotional chanting, earning a Grammy nomination for "Live Ananda" in 2013. His performances blend traditional Indian kirtan with Western musical sensibilities, incorporating elements of rock, gospel, and folk into his arrangements. Krishna Das has become the best-selling chant artist of all time in the Western world, performing at venues ranging from yoga studios to Carnegie Hall and major music festivals.