Spirit Soul and Friends

Producers Choice Recipient for World Music Artist of the Year – 19th Annual LA Music Awards

2010 Recipient – Showcase Artist of the Year – 20th Annual LA Music Awards

Oftentimes in modern society, there is the tendency to look to an organization
or politician to establish World PEACE.

Too few of us consider that PEACE
starts with each separate individual
as Spinoza did when he said,
“PEACE is not an absence of war;
it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition
for benevolence, confidence and justice.

” No one is really working for PEACE
unless he is working primarily for
the restoration of Wisdom.

Peaceful individuals create a Peaceful society

PAGE INFO
Start Date
Born in 2007
Genre
World Music; Kirtan; Chanting; Island; Hawaiian; R&B; Folk; Pop; Jazz
Short Description
Award recipients of the Los Angeles Music Awards, Spirit Soul And Friends’ main goal is to give you a gift of peace to take with you wherever you go.
Long Description
“Spirit Soul And Friends” – A Musical Peace Troupe are the Award Recipients of the Los Angeles Music Awards for World Music Artists of the Year as well as Showcase Artists of the Year. Their music video, “A Song of Peace” (Nityananda Chaitanya) received the Producer’s Choice Award and was featured at the Los Angeles Music Awards Gala Event. Their music video, “Loving Thoughts” also received the Producer’s Choice Award.

Spirit Soul And Friends provides a family friendly show for any private, corporate or public event. This multi-talented versatile ensemble brings forth their common goal of taking music and dance to a higher level. Performances include inspiring original compositions, peaceful mantras and uplifting kirtan accompanied by Yoga Dancers and Yoga Demonstrations, as well as songs of peace that share positive messages of love, peace and harmony.

Spirit Soul And Friends has over tens years of experience in performing and conducting music programs and kirtan events at community festivals and private events. Each member of Spirit Soul And Friends has developed their individual crafts and each have a broad extensive musical background combined.

With many years of service to their communities, this multi-cultural musical peace troupe exhibits a warm and welcoming approach that individuals find appealing and parents find trusting with their children.

“KIRTAN AND CHANTING FOR PEACE” – Come and engage in the spiritual practice of kirtan a nondenominational practice that has been passed down since time immemorial and a constant in all paths and religions.

Getting together as a group is a fun way to do this! It is a great activity for families and communities at large. We can sing mantras using all kinds of instruments and genres of music. Oftentimes, people will get up and move to the beautiful transcendental sounds or groove to a rock out kirtan. There are no hard and fast rules to singing Holy Names!

We invite you to come share our goal of utilizing music, peaceful mantras, yoga and dance to help create a more peaceful society. Our main goal is to give a gift of peace that you can take with you. You will be hearing and singing beautiful mantras and transcendental sounds that create peace and harmony by their spiritual potency wherever you go!

MEMBERS OF SPIRIT SOUL AND FRIENDS-A MUSICAL PEACE TROUPE:

1. Annette Laborte: Community Entertainment Project Coordinator/Vocalist, Electric Acoustic Guitar, Ukelele, Keyboard, Djembe, Hand Percussion
2. Bia Laborte: Project Coordinator/Vocalist, Keyboard, Guitar, Djembe, Hand Percussion
3. Dee Laborte: Vocalist, Congas, Djembe, Doumbek, Hand Percussion, Guitar
4. Madhavaya: Vocalist, Cajun, Guitar
5. Tulsi: Vocalist, Flute, Djembe, Hand Percussion
6. Elijah Bustos: Vocalist, Electric Acoustic Guitar, Ukelele, Bass, Djembe, Drums
7. Ted Takeuchi: Vocalist, Electric Acoustic Guitar
8. Juliet Bustos: Emcee / Leader for interactive audience participation
9. Carly Reeder: Harmonium; Yoga Dance
10. Jyoti Jennings: Vocals, Guitar, Yoga Asana Demonstration
11. Janaki Jennings: Vocals, Electric guitar, guitar, mandolin, bass guitar
13. Jhulana Jennings: Vocals, Ballet,Guitar, Bass Guitar
14. Terrence Davis: Drums
15. Gary Nilsen: Project Coordinator
16. Angelique Wolfe: Vocals, Drums

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Showcase Artists Of The Year ~ Los Angeles Music Awards

World Music Artists Of The Year ~ Los Angeles Music Awards.

Los Angeles Music Awards Producer’s Choice – “World Music Artists Of The Year”

Los Angeles Music Awards Producer’s Choice – Music Video (Featured at Main Event) “A Song of Peace/Nityananda Chaitanya”

Los Angeles Music Awards Producer’s Choice – Music Video / “Loving Thoughts”

Music Ambassadors for the Supercut’s Rock The Cut program

Music Team/Music Directors for the Art Miles Mural Project

Official Hosts of The Moon Stage for the San Diego Earth Fair/Balboa Park
MESSAGE OF PEACE:

Oftentimes in modern society, there is a tendency to look to an organization or politician to establish World Peace.

Too few of us consider that PEACE starts with each separate individual as Spinoza did when he said, “PEACE” is not an absence of war; it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence and justice.

We can say today that man is far too clever to be able to survive without wisdom. No one is really working for PEACE unless he is primarily working for the restoration of WISDOM.

~ PEACEFUL INDIVIDUALS CREATE A PEACEFUL SOCIETY~
SPECIAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

In Hawaii, we have something called “Aloha Spirit” which is the foundation to World Peace. “Aloha” is a word we use not only in parting, but also in greeting and to express love. It is appropriate in all these situations. The word “ALOHA” is made up of three Hawaiian root words: a – lo – and ha. “A” means that which enables one to see. “Lo” means of the earth, and “Ha” means the life force. When I say “Aloha” to you, I am saying “I can see the life force within your earthly form.” And when you say “Aloha” to me, you are saying, “I can see the life force in your earthly form.” This is a gift that Hawaii can give to the World.

ALOHA & NAMASTE!

*****

PERFORMANCES/VENUES:

Los Angeles Music Awards Gala Event – Paramount Pictures Studios
Los Angeles Music Awards Showcase Series – Whiskey A Go Go
Los Angeles Music Awards Gala Event – Avalon Theatre (Producer’s Choice Award/Presentation of “A Song of Peace” – Nityananda Chaitanya Music Video)
Los Angeles Music Awards Showcase Series – Life at Wilshire
Orange County Fair
San Diego Earth Fair
SOKA International Cultural Festival
San Diego Veg Fest
Green Festival – Los Angeles
Mom Expo & Health Fair
Dharma and Yoga Fest, Norwalk
Tustin Tiller Days
Cal State Long Beach – Children’s’ Day
Irvine Global Festival – International Cultural Festival
One Earth, One Dream – Festival of the Arts – Endangered Planet Foundation
Art Miles Mural Project – Muralthon
Art Miles Mural Project – Chatsworth University event/Mission Viejo
Across The Street – Mueller College of the Healing Arts
Green Festival – Laguna Beach, CA
Montage-Laguna Resort, Laguna Beach
“Passport to the World” – Valencia Elementary School
Beyond Hot Yoga – Kirtan event
Ocean Beach Kite Festival, San Diego
Oceanside Festival of the Arts
Thousand Oaks Street Fair
Anaheim Fall Festival, Anaheim CA
Laguna Nursery, Laguna CA
MONTHLY KIRTAN AND CHANTING FOR PEACE VENUES:
World Beat Cultural Center – San Diego, CA
We Love Yoga – Long Beach, CA
Unitarian Universalist Church – Ventura
Unitarian Universalist Church – San Diego
Unitarian Universalist Church – Orange County
Common Ground Spiritual Center – Tustin, CA
The WAV (Working Artists of Ventura/Arts & Performance Center)
Awards
2010 Los Angeles Music Awards – SHOWCASE ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

2009 Los Angeles Music Awards – WORLD MUSIC ARTISTS OF THE YEAR

2009 Los Angeles Music Awards Featured Video – “A SONG OF PEACE” (Nityananda Caitanya)

PRESS RELEASE:

Aloha State of Hawaii – MidWeek Hawaii
With roots in Ewa Beach, Bia, Annette and Dee LaBorte’s “Spirit Soul” band has a track on the “All States All Stars CD. They are Hawaii’s representatives on the album, which was released July 4 through the non-profit Music for Troops. (To support the cause, go toww.amillionsongs.org).

“A Higher Way” – Purely Addictive – Song of the Year
Your lyrics on this song are both fun and inspiring. The reggae groove is absolutely intoxicating! Your vocals are exquisite and the harmonies top them off. Structurally, this is a song that would make MARLEY proud! You have captured the essence of reggae in this song, which is found to be very addictive and a sheer joy to listen to!

International Song of the Year – VH-1 Save the Music Foundation
JAZZ/WORLD/INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORY
Top February Finalists
1 – (World Music) “A Higher Way” Bia Laborte (Spirit Soul) and G.T. Blake (GTB Music) – San Diego, California
2 – (Jazz) Rob Meurer – Its not Christmas without you (Studio City, California)
3 – (World) Robert Ruiz – Listen to the Rain -(Wichita, Kansas)
4 – (Instrumental) Bernhard Schuler – In Silence – (Kolin, Germany

BILLBOARD WORLD MUSIC AWARD – Honorable Mention for “Nityananda Chaitanya”

“Nityananda Chaitanya” (w/Guest Musician Darrel K. Newman on guitars and bass): No. 4 on the Bestseller List of Acoustic Fuel.com. Featured on “Wonder Women Mix 4″ Digital Download Store

“Nityananda Chaitanya” (w/Guest Musician Darrel K. Newman on guitars and bass): Featured on the 2007 “All States All Stars” CD Box Set, representing the State of Hawaii.

“Loving Thoughts”: Featured on the 2007 Music For Troops “Songs from the Heart” Compilation CD

“A Higher Way”: 2003 World Music Finalist for VH-1 “Save the Music Foundation – Song of the Year” Competition
Email
spiritsoulband@gmail.com
Website
www.spiritsoulandfriends.comwww.myspace.com/spiritsoulfriendshttp://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000064317922http://www.meetup.com/OrangeCountyKirtan/