Q: Okay, what is your music about? What kind of music is it?

Jimi: Yeah, this music is a living art form coming out of the heart. It is music of healing, of peace. It cannot be classified or labeled under any one style or type of music. It's uplifting international music or world music for all people, ya know? Deep music, spiritual music, high vibes. It's for all ages, young and old and all in between, ya know? For everybody.
The music that I perform and record is all original and I play on different instruments from around the world like Africa, India, Europe, Jamaica, and other countries.
The 12 & 6 string acoustic and electric guitars are my main instruments that I play on, but I also play and record a lot of music on the different African and Indian drums, melodicas, flutes, tambouras, harmoniums, vocals, percussion, bells, organ and lots of things, ya know? Real music, man, woman, ya know what I mean? It's all real, real instrumentation (real instruments), no computer samples, or loops, or drum machines, or anything like that is used at all. Everything is real, man, in real time, not quanitized.

Q: Do you play with other musicians?

Jimi: Yeah, I also work with other professional musicians for recording projects and live performances and concerts. The music that is presented is always growing, so the musicians involved change according to what project I am doing. I have been very fortunate to have met and worked with some of the deepest, most profound artists, teachers, and musicians of our time. Those experiences have stayed with me and have shaped my life immensely. I, also, in my own life, received a calling from within that I must share this music that has been given to me as a gift. It is really a gift I want to share with you.

Q: What do you mean by Music Without Borders?

Jimi: Music without borders means that music is the universal language that all people of the world can understand and feel. Music speaks heart to heart.

Q: Is this religious music? Or are you part of a religion?

Jimi: No, this music is not connected to any particular religion, sect, or doctrine: it's not limited to a group of people or style of people. It's music for upliftment and joy, and that's for everybody! It's universal. I am not part of any religion or sect either, although my study has taught me there can be truth found in all the religions. Personally, I am more connected to spirituality rather than any religion or philosophy or ism, ya know what I mean?

Q: Why do you wear a turban? Is there any significance? You also keep a beard, why?

Jimi: Personal choice. I just live natural. [Laughter] I am not limited to any particular tradition or style of dress. I am free to choose. [Laughter] Thanks, it's good that you ask me these questions. It seems everybody wants clarification on that.

Q: Okay, about your music. Where does this original music come from? Where does your inspiration come from?

Jimi: The music is born out of love. Technically, it comes from a life-long study and passion of music and art; but, it truly comes in when I get out of the way, it flows in from a Higher Source.

Q: How did it start?

Jimi: There are unseen hands guiding us even when we are children. I was lucky enough to meet up with some persons when I was young that exposed me to unlocking the unlimited creative process we have within us: that by stopping the internal dialogue, we can tap that great unlimited potential. That is where this music started.

Q: What is the purpose of this music? What is your aim? You seem to be on a mission?

Jimi: Yes, Yes, Oneness, Peace, and Transcendence.
By Oneness, I mean to say experiencing Oneness inside of and outside of ourselves in a natural state of being. Our self revealed. That is a true healing.
By Peace, I mean to say experiencing the universal unity already existing within us, in life and creation.
By Transcendence, I mean to say experiencing the music of the spheres, music that transcends time and space, music that is always going on.
Music can break down the barriers or walls within our being separating us from our joy and our truth, and music has that power that it can transform our life to move us in a positive direction. And when we can change ourselves from within, we can also change the world around us. Achieving and living our highest potential, that is our mission. Our gift to the world is to uplift, inspire, and educate all people. Uplift means sharing joy. Inspire means creating and adding to the beauty of life. Educate means sharing what's available and what's possible.

Q: Your style of guitar playing sounds very "Eastern", what is that about? How did that develop? I read on your EPK (electronic press kit) that you have been playing guitar for over 25 years.

Jimi: Yeah, I started developing my guitar style at a young age. I grew up in the LA area where everyone is a great guitar player. I asked myself, what am I going to do? So I decided I wanted to play guitar from my soul in a way that I had never heard before; I could hear it inside though, I just needed to develop it over the years.
It's a Singing Psychedelic Flamenco African Roots Latin Jazz Folk Funk Indian-Raga Blues Rock style if that makes any sense. [Laughter]
Growing up, I was very much inspired and influenced by the music of John Coltrane, Alice Coltrane, and Pharaoh Sanders. The direction of that musical exploration and expression really opened me up to a higher level of what music is and what's possible.
I recommend listening to A Love Supreme by the John Coltrane Quartet. I also recommend the Indian shenai music of Bishmall Khan.
My music is music of the heart and soul, a musical expression and exploration of our human experience and consciousness, becoming One with the One.

Q: Where is the music now? And where is it going?

Jimi: The music sets its own pace as Carlos Santana would say. I just have to keep up. The music today I am doing and what is being presented recently is in a non-traditional format or non-standard band set-up. It's something different, ya know?
It seems that so much of the music that people are exposed to today is in such a standard commercial format that very few people have the ability to focus or hear music for more than just entertainment or amusement. So we present this original and inspired music in a unique ensemble format that has never been done before. It is really something beautiful to see and experience how the listeners respond to this set-up, to these vibes.
This music is about taking something with you, or getting something good, or receiving something that lasts even after it's over. Something that will help you somehow, helps you get through and feel upful and positive in your life. Like calmness and serenity in the mist of a storm, something you can feel, something like that, something real.
The direction we are going in the music is bright, fruitful, and positive that's for sure! We are looking forward to all the opportunities to connect and reach and touch and share this music of healing and peace with each heart and with as many people as possible.
The new CD Ocean Of Love will be available soon from our website (www.maharasmusic.com) and from other distributors.

- Interview: July 1, 2006 Boonville, California
By T. R.
Freelance writer, poet, mystic