Facing East Productions
World Class World Music Artists

The Artists that are part of the Facing East Family provide a rich and diverse combination of talents due to their extraordinary expertise and desire to work together to create music for the world’s ears to enjoy …..

John Wubbenhorst is a master flautist having the unique distinction of being a fluent virtuoso on both the Bansuri (bamboo flute) and Western flute with a visionary method to his compositions which truly help combine the world into one.

Z-man, Steve Zerlin is a brilliant and versatile bassist accomplished as a jazz musician on both electric and acoustic bass and is well versed in Eastern modalities having adapted the bass guitar to Indian music.

Ken Anoff is a master world music percussionist with 30 years of experience in many different styles and traditions who intuitively knows exactly what sound will make the music come alive.

Subash Chandran or, our elder “Ball of Bliss” as we call him at Facing East, is highly esteemed in South Indian music circles for his unique vocal rhythmic compositions known as Konnakol which charm audiences worldwide. He is also a master on the Ghatam, (a clay pot instrument).

Ganesh Kumar plays his the Kanjira (a frame drum from South India) with such style and speed audiences always try to move closer to see how on earth he can play so fast.

Rishabh Dhar is an exponent of pakawaj, the North Indian classical drum.

Humayun Khan is an Afghan native who sings North Indian ragas in the khyal and ghazal styles. He is well known as a skilled teacher and has deep knowledge of raga.

Marianne Svasek sings and plays sarangi in the ancient and sacred classical style of Dhrupad. Both her voice and her sarangi lift the spirit and calms the mind.

Tom Canning is a consummate professional with incredible versatility on keyboards. He is best known for his work with jazz legends Al Jarreau, Wayne Shorter and others.

Jorge Zamorano can play anything in guitar, or at least he has us think so with his versatility between different musical styles and types of guitars.

Steve Bloom Cross-Cultural Percussionist, is a recording and performing artist in Cuban, Latin, Brazilian, Jazz, Blues, Rock and Roll, New Age, Celtic, Persian and Middle Eastern music styles. He has toured in over a dozen countries, and directs or plays in several fine groups. He offers residencies combining performances, rhythm and drumming workshops, and lecture/demonstrations.

John MacKay is a uniquely versatile keyboardist an inventive composer. He has studied East Indian music at the Ali Akbar Khan school of Music and has played many instruments including tabla, bansuri, and viola as well as keyboards.

Samrat Kakkeri comes from a long line of musicians and has devoted his life to the art of Tabla. He inherited his talent from his father Pundit Mohan Rao Kakkeri who was also his first teacher. He is considered a child protégée who has received acclaim as an accomplished tabla player (drummer) from early age.

Ed Sarath is Professor of Music and Director of the Department in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michigan School of Music. He is a brilliant composer, educator and performer.