Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove, Colorado’s premiere Ecstatic Chant band, has captivated audiences since 2016 with their dynamic fusion of ancient mantras, catchy melodies and funky grooves. This high-energy band offers up an accessible and potent musical journey that uplifts and inspires. From the delicate and introspective to the joyously rocking, their emotionally rich original songs encourage you to participate - to chant, harmonize, clap and dance. Their events are “spiritual sing alongs,” and you are the choir. Ecstatic chant events with Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove attract both music enthusiasts who love improvisational music and chant fans who seek a moving experience. These soul stirring experiences possess the power to inspire and heal our fractured world. Join us for monthly community events where you come for the music and stay for the joy, healing, community, connection, energy, and inspiration. Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove is comprised of Mike Cohen (vocals & harmonium), former professional saxophonist with over 25 years of chanting experience and founder of the Kirtan Leader Institute; Dawnia Dresser (vocals), a favorite local folk-rock artist; Michele Heaphy (vocals & harmonium), a lifelong musician and music educator; James Hoskins (cello), professional musician and member of Boulder’s “Sherefe” who performs his eclectic style of improvisatory music around the world; Bill McCrossen (bass), veteran of the NYC jazz scene with expertise in jazz, world music, and R&B and Ken Matarazzo (frame drums, cajon, riq), master percussionist who has studied and performed with groundbreaking American percussionist Glen Velez. The group has collectively released four full length Kirtan albums and two EP’s of acclaimed music - all created with Grammy Award-nominated producer Ben Leinbach or Grammy winning producer Jeff Ciampa. Mike’s Shakti Gayatri won the Pop/Electronic category in Art Prize 2012; and his eternally delightful Om Shanti Om has been streamed over 800,000 times on the Insight Timer app, ranked in the top 5 of the “Chanting Mantras” category for years. Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove has appeared at many of the top conscious music festivals in North America including Arise (CO), Bhakti Fest (2010-19 in CA, 2012-15 in the Midwest), Festival of Colors (UT), Hanuman Festival (CO), Sedona Yoga Festival (2018 + 2019 in AZ), Telluride Yoga Festival (CO), Toronto Yoga Conference (2010 and 2011 in Toronto) and more. In 2014 Mike and his band opened for the legendary Krishna Das at Bhakti Fest Midwest. Mike Cohen has trained thousands of aspiring Kirtan leaders since 2010 through his Kirtan Leader Institute (“KLI”). From total beginners to highly advanced students, Mike has guided students to tour, play festivals, write original chants, and create their own Kirtan albums.Twenty of KLI's students & alumni have released professional recordings of their original chants. Band members Dawnia Dresser, Michele Heaphy and Ken Matarazzo are senior teachers within Kirtan Leader Institute. “Mike's brand of Ecstatic Chant is unlike any other I have encountered. His four albums and live performances blend East and West via funky beats, sacred vibrations, beautiful melodies and pure unadulterated joy. Highly recommended.” — CH