Jeff Whittier
Sri Jeff Whittier began his formal study of North Indian classical flute in 1971 at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, California with G.S. Sachdev. He is an exponent of the Indian classical tradition called Gayaki Angā or the style of playing based on Hindustani vocal music. His music is noted for its purity of rag and tal, the exposition of the ancient principles of melody and rhythm which are the basis of all classical improvisations. He frequently performs at venues such as Hindu ashrams and temples in addition to the concert stage.
As well as being a performer of the bansuri, or bamboo flute, Jeff Whittier is also a master craftsman of the instrument. In a 35-year career of flute-making he has provided flutes to some of the most famous musicians of India, including G. S. Sachdev and Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, who are two of the leading bamboo flautists of Hindustani music today. His flutes are also used in the Broadway shows The Lion King,The Flower Drum Song, Miss Saigon,The King and I, Bombay Dreams, and Aida.
Jeff Whittier will by accompanied at Flute Fest by Leslie Schneider on tabla.
