Join us for local Kirtan events with Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove in Boulder, CO.
Explore Mike Cohen Kirtan music on Youtube, iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify and more!
Explore self-paced programs, livestreamed courses, and private coaching for all levels of sacred chant practitioner!
Join us for local Kirtan events with Mike Cohen & the Shakti Groove in Boulder, CO.
Explore Mike Cohen + the Shakti Groove music on Youtube, iTunes, Soundcloud, Spotify and more!
Explore self-paced programs, livestreamed courses, and private coaching for all levels of chant fans.
Meet the Band:
Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove
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. Listen to Mike’s music here, Dawnia’s music here and Michele’s music here.
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. Learn more at www.MikeCohenKirtan.com
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. Learn more at www.KirtanLeader.com.
“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
Listen on Spotify
MEET THE BAND:
Mike Cohen & The Shakti Groove
Formed in 2016, this high energy Boulder, CO based Kirtan band features three chant leaders (Mike Cohen, Dawnia Dresser and Michele Heaphy), each of whom leads original chants, and have collectively released four albums and two EP's of original & accessible sacred chant music.
The Shakti Groove features high-level musicians including cellist James Hoskins, bassist Bill McCrossen, vocalist Robyn Broyden, percussionists Ken Matarazzo and David Hinojosa and many amazing guest musicians!
Blending masculine and feminine energy, this group has toured Colorado, played at numerous Kirtan & Yoga Festivals (Bhakti Fest, Telluride Yoga Festival, Hanuman Festival, etc.) and delight mantra enthusiasts at their Boulder & Denver area Kirtan events.
READ MORE
Upcoming Live Shows
Upcoming Live Shows
Mike Cohen's combination of World music, funky rhythms, and blissful chanting pushes the envelope in a tasteful intertwining of East meets West. His stellar musicianship and amazing back up musicians/vocalists make the improvisation and experimentation on his Soul Contact CD very exciting!
Michele Heaphy's music is deeply comforting and nourishing, like a sweet, nurturing hug that makes my heart radiate. The rhythm inspires me to move and dance, and the music perfectly guides me to sing along with the mantras. Thank you for the opening!
Mindy Arbuckle, Holistic Coach & Spiritual Healer
The recordings are flawless and energetic… Mike Cohen's "Om Dattatreya" blends Eastern and Western musical accompaniment with a tendency to take the spirit to ecstatic levels of play.
LA Yoga Magazine
Mike Cohen’s “Om Dattatreya” CD blew me away when I first heard it, and it still continues to do so. The musical arrangements are beautiful, interesting, complex, and funky and the interplay of Mike’s chanting with talented female vocalists makes it sublimely sacred. It’s a very full experience. I can’t wait to hear what aural blessing manifests next from Mike.
Blake Tedder, Full Lotus Kirtan Show
While listening to Mike Cohen's "Soul Contact" I can feel my mind, my emotions, the subtle dancing of my body, all being pulled into this groove. Is it the divine names pulling me in? Or the enticing production and soulful singing? Both. I highly recommend this album for Kirtan-lovers and funky-music-lovers alike.
Daniel Tucker, Kirtan Central
There are nine chants on Mike Cohen's 'Soul Contact' release, and they’re each unforgettable and unique, mysterious, techno-enhanced mantras from the heart of Dattatreya Kirtan. Soul Contact rises to the challenge of presenting the essence of the heart in this digital modern age we live in.
Debi Buzil, Yoga Chicago Magazine
I have deeply enjoyed Michele Heaphy’s Asatoma Sadgamaya. I love the feeling this musical mantra offers, helping me sink into meditation while still feeling the flow of energy in the music. The track is beautifully arranged, with stellar musicianship. I turn to this song when the world just feels overwhelming. Lead me to the Light with your beautiful voice, Michele!
OM DATTATREYA is an awesome first CD…. Mike Cohen joins the heavenly choir of Kirtan artists.
Gary Goldberg, "In The Spirit" Radio Show Host
Mike Cohen's "Soul Contact" is an absolute delight. This CD should be part of any Kirtan lover’s collection.
Joni Yung, Accidental Yogist podcast
Shiva Prayer, from Mike Cohen's 'Chants for Challenging Times' is incredible. I am moved to tears of joy by this prayer. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sam Jackson
In a world filled with noise and chaos, Dawnia's 'From the Soul' is a soothing balm for my heart. It's a reminder that love is the most powerful force of all, capable of healing even the deepest wounds. Thank you Dawnia for sharing your love and light in the world!
Tears. Shiva Prayer is absolutely beautiful. I thank you for creating this beautiful art. Bless you all and our Mother Earth.
Mike Cohen's 'Illumination' offers a beautiful completion of his 3 CD series which brings and blends the sounds of the East and the West. Mike's brand of Kirtan is unlike any other I have encountered. It is filled with funky beats, sacred vibrations, beautiful melodies and pure unadulterated joy. I could not recommend it, or any other of Mike’s works, more highly. Give this gift to yourself, to your soul.
Christopher Hill Hargrove
Shiva Prayer. This…is…spectacular!
Brian Keith Waters
'Illumination' features gorgeous production, superb playing and rock solid lead vocals. Mike Cohen has gifted us with very hip and creative 21st century devotional music. I'm sure this CD will be listened to for years to come.
Hans Christian, musician, owner of Studio 330 and Allemande Music
Love the music on 'Chants for Challenging Times'. Mike Cohen has lifted the Kirtan experience to another level. It's an energizing yet soothing combination of dance grooves and heart swelling melodies. Holy, Groovy... and beautifully produced!
Shanon McCarthy, artist
Listening to 'Illumination', I immediately want to get up and dance and open my voice. The joy on this CD is infectious. Mike's joyful offering of Kirtan and teaching is a true gift to the world.
Jeanie Manchester, Yogs studio owner
Mike's new 'Illumination' album has taken his music to a whole new electronic dimension! He has remixed familiar mantras into my new favorite chants. This album will be getting a lot of play time on my show!
Joni Yung, Yoga Chat with the Accidental Yogist podcast
Listen to the "Greatest Hits" of the Shakti Groove!
[RECORDED MUSIC BY MIKE, DAWNIA & MICHELE]
Spotify Playlist
Listen to the "Greatest Hits" of the Shakti Groove!
[RECORDED MUSIC BY MIKE, DAWNIA & MICHELE]
Spotify Playlist
LATEST VIDEO RELEASE
Shiva Prayer Music Video
The official Shiva Prayer music video, created by Mike Cohen and filmmaker Roger Ingraham, released December 2021. The video acknowledges our gritty challenges (disasters) and how prayer and right action (dignities) can guide us to the other side. During our challenging times we endeavor to keep our hearts open, our minds calm, our prayer deep, and our actions aligned with our deepest prayers. Track features vocalist Sandy Griffin and produced by Ben Leinbach.
Never Miss a Show!
Sign up for our newsletter list to be notified of upcoming Kirtan events, new music, and classes.
Your information is safe with us. Unsubscribe at any time.
Never Miss a Show!
Sign up for our newsletter list to be notified of upcoming Kirtan events, new music, and classes.
