Ashes on the Beach at Puri

Sum and Kali by the Ray Spiegel Ensemble

Produced and arranged by percussionist and composer Ray Spiegel, Sum and Kali features some of today's finest jazz and Indian musicians.
Compositions are based in Indian Classical forms combined with folk drumming, Jazz, Kirtan, Reggae, Latin , Rock with Tribal overtones. Sum and Kali is uplifting music for the soul combining virtuoso performances with a devotional edge, good for listening, meditation, and dancing.
The lineup includes:
Ray Spiegel - Tabla Drums, Dholak, Dholki, Duggi Tarang, Vibes, Marimba, and assorted percussion.
Stephen James-Sarod, Guitar, Violin
Ira Coleman-Acoustic Bass
Mark Johnson- Drums
Bhagavan Das-Vocals, Ektara
Steve Gorn-Bansuri Flute
Ramesh Misra-Sarangi
Craig Handy-Tenor Saxophone


RAY SPIEGEL-biography

Born in New York city of Japanese/American ancestry, Ray Spiegel was trained in the Punjab Gharana (style) of tabla playing the by late master of the tabla Ustad Alla Rakha. He has also received important training from Ustad Zakir Hussain, and Pt. B.S. Ramanna of New Delhi. He has performed and recorded in the U.S. and India as both accompanist and soloist, appearing with well-known artists such as: Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain (tabla), Ravi Shankar (sitar), Sultan Khan (Sarangi), Aashish Khan, Geoffery Lipner, Stephen James, Buddhadev Das Gupta, Steve Oda, and Ken Zuckerman (Sarode), Vidyadhar Vyas, Raka Mukherjee, Warren Senders, Stan Scott, Sheila Dhar, Esha Bandopadhaya, Pran Nath, LaMonte Young, and Balram Puri (vocalists), Irshad Khan, Manilal Nag, Mita Nag, James Pomerantz, and Partha Bose (Sitar), Paul Alexandre John, Steve Gorn and Ragunath Seth (Bansuri flute), Barun Kumar Pal (Hindustani Guitar), and Chitresh Das (Kathak dance).

Outside the realm of traditional Indian Classical Music, Ray leads his group, the Ray Spiegel Ensemble, composes and records film and television soundtracks, and performs with many various artists. His past recording and performing credits include: The Grateful Dead, Patty Smyth, Mickey Hart/Diga Rhythm Band, Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience, Tor Dietrichson, Robert Bly, Najma, Bhagavan Das, Gabrielle Roth, Shankar (violin), Bon Jovi, Paul Winter, Danilo Perez, Mike Diamond (Beastie Boys), Karl Berger, Carlos Federico, Karl Perazo, John Cooper, and Bill Cosby. Ray is also the founder of Simla House, an independent record label.

Ray Spiegel's Discography (selected):

Diga Rhythm Band DIGA [Round Records RX-LA600-G/RX-110] 1976. Re-released on CD:[RYKODISC RCD 10101] 1988

The Grateful Dead - SHAKEDOWN STREET [Arista ALB6-8321] 1978

Sri Gour Goswami & Steve Gorn - THE INDIAN BAMBOO FLUTE [Lyrichord LLST 7387 Re-released on CD: LYRCD 7387] 1985

Tor Dietrichson - GLOBAL VILLAGE [Global Pacific Records WK 40728] 1987

Zakir Hussain & THE RHYTHM EXPERIENCE [Aspen Records APN 307 CD] 1987 &[Moment Records MRCD 1007] 1991

Tony Dagradi - SWEET REMEMBRANCE [Gramavision 18-8707-1] 1987

Patty Smyth - NEVER ENOUGH [Columbia CK 40182] 1987

Paul Alexandre John - JOURNEY OVER INDIA [Flying Bird Music] 1990

Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors - TONGUES [Raven] 1995

Manilal Nag - LIVE IN WOODSTOCK [Raga-215] 1995

Kenny Werner/SYDA YOGA- RAGA TARANGA [SYDA Foundation] 1995

Celtic Twilight - VOL. 3: LULLABIES [HEARTS OF SPACE CD11107] 1996

Noirin Ni Riain - CELTIC SOUL [Living Music LMUS 0031] 1996

Gabrielle Roth & The Mirrors - ZONE UNKNOWN [Raven] 1997

Ray Spiegel Ensemble - SUM AND KALI [Simla House 001] 1998

Patty Smyth - GREATEST HITS;FEATURING SCANDAL [SONY CD65616] 1998

Danilo Perez - CENTRAL AVENUE [Impulse! IMPD279] 1998 (Grammy Award Nominee)

Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa - THIRAKWA Bombay [Simla House002]1999 (produced by Ray Spiegel)

Vidyadhar Vyas - COLORS OF THE NIGHT [Simla House 003] 2000 (produced by Ray Spiegel)

Dave Tofani - AN AMERICAN GARDEN [Solowinds SW1701] 2001

Mickey Hart - THE BEST OF MICKEY HART [Rykodisc38525] 2002

Paul Alexandre John - DUSK MONSOON [Simla House 004] 2002

Karl Berger & Friends - STILLPOINT [Double Moon DMCHR 71029] 2003

Barun Kumar Pal- RAGAS ON SLIDE GUITAR [Simla House 006]2003 (produced by Ray Spiegel)

Ray Spiegel Ensemble - RAGA JAZZ [Simla House 007]2004 (produced by Ray Spiegel)