An Evening of Kirtan with Jai Uttal & Family

Imagine your voice joining a sacred call-and-response that has echoed through centuries of devotional practice—and in that moment, discovering something true about yourself you didn't know was there. On Friday, September 11, 2026, Grammy-nominated kirtan artist Jai Uttal invites you into an evening of vocal chanting at JaiPure in Montclair, New Jersey, where music becomes a bridge between your individual heart and something boundless. For nearly five decades, Jai Uttal has woven Indian devotional traditions with Western influences—rock, jazz, reggae—creating a living, breathing kirtan that meets people exactly where they are. This is not a performance you observe; it's a practice you inhabit.

Whether you've chanted before or you're stepping into kirtan for the first time, this evening offers permission to sing, to feel, and to be witnessed in your own expression. No prior musical or spiritual experience is required—only your presence and willingness to show up authentically. The power of kirtan lies not in perfection of pitch or purity of technique, but in the collective intention, breath, and heart that fill the room. You'll leave holding something you came searching for, even if you didn't know how to name it when you arrived.

What to Expect

Jai Uttal and family will guide you through sacred mantras and devotional songs using the call-and-response structure at the heart of kirtan practice. The evening unfolds as a journey: you'll begin by finding your voice, move through layers of invocation and deepening presence, and arrive at a space where individual and collective become one. The atmosphere is warm, inclusive, and rooted in genuine spiritual practice rather than performance spectacle. Participants leave with an experience of their own capacity for presence, joy, and emotional expression—along with the reverberating vibration of mantras that continue to work within you long after the final note.

About the Artist

Jai Uttal is a Grammy-nominated kirtan artist and pioneering voice in the fusion of Indian devotional chanting with Western musical traditions. A direct disciple of the late saint Neem Karoli Baba, Jai has led kirtan across the globe for nearly five decades, building a devoted following among seekers, musicians, and spiritual practitioners. His unique gift lies in his ability to make ancient practice feel alive, accessible, and urgently relevant—inviting participants to experience kirtan not as cultural artifact, but as a living tool for transformation and connection.

Venue & Logistics

This evening takes place at JaiPure in Montclair, New Jersey. Please arrive early to settle into the space. Wear comfortable clothing you can move and breathe in; a meditation cushion or yoga mat is recommended but not required. For specific details on timing, parking, and any accessibility accommodations, contact the venue directly.