Gay & Greg Dunn

Greg and Gay Dunn have been making beautiful music together since 1986, when they met at the Southern California Sahavas. Combining guitar, cello, and duet vocals, they perform a repertoire of original material along with an eclectic mix of songs chosen from the worlds of pop, folk, and jazz.
Gay is Principal Cellist for the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra and formerly played with the Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra, Livermore Opera Orchestra, and the Diablo Symphony. Greg, an occasional songwriter since the 1970’s, has, since his retirement from software development in 2011, composed dozens of songs and instrumental ensemble pieces, including music for an original play of his authorship and the score for a Meher Baba-themed musical targeted for Broadway.

David Wilcox

​David Wilcox is considered a 'songwriter's songwriter', his songs have been covered by artists such as k.d. lang and many others.  In addition to his writing prowess, his skills as a performer and storyteller are unmatched.  He signed with A&M Records in 1989 and his first release on the label, How Did You Find Me Here, sold over 100,000 copies the first year largely by word of mouth. He is one-third of North Carolina’s extremely popular ‘Three Davids’ group.

Adrienne Shamszad

​We are happy to announce the return of Adrienne Shamszad to the Music Sahavas. Adrienne is an Oakland, California native of Persian heritage who has traveled extensively, studying theater, music and dance throughout Asia, India and the Middle East. Her debut album ‘A New Life’ was recorded at Seclusion Hill Records by our own Phil Ludwig. Her strong and soulful voice, skillful and complex guitar work and bold performance style have made her a popular California performer, inside and outside the Baba world, for well over a decade. 

The Nordeen Family Singers

Five singers from the mixed Nordeen clan will present a concert on Saturday night. This concert is the debut of the group. Hailing from a family of eleven siblings who are all Baba lovers, Peter Nordeen, Kristine Zalewski, and Jeanne Felknor are the trio of ‘born’ Nordeens, while singers Debbie Nordeen and Bruce Felknor married into this musical clan and complete this quintet of singers from Asheville. All the singers have performed extensively as soloists, including having lead roles in many of the Meherabad Baba Birthday plays. Performing together has been a dream of theirs and the surprising invitation to perform at the Asheville Meher Baba Music Sahavas prompted them to create an entertaining and heart touching set of music. 

Bob Een

​Bob Een is a fiercely inventive singer, cellist, and composer for dance, theater, and film. He has performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall. He returns as a featured performer to the Music Sahavas and will also present a two hour workshop on Saturday morning. “What Hendrix did for the guitar, freeing it from its previous role and expectations, Robert Een does for the cello.” Richard Kadrey, San Francisco Chronicle. Bob will be accompanied on certain songs by his friends Sally Pearson and Patrik Widrig, interpretational dance.

Bob also presents a two-hour workshop, "Raising Voice," on Saturday morning. "Singing is one of life’s joys.  Singing with others increases the joy.  Singing for Baba exults the joy.  Join Robert Een to raise your voice in song to Beloved Meher Baba.  All levels of experience are welcome. "

Pearson and Widrig, Dancers

​Sara (Sally) Pearson and Patrik Widrig have been dancing professionally together since 1987, performing their choreography throughout the world including concerts at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and best of all, in Mandali Hall. When Dr. Goher first saw Patrik dance in 1990, she told him, “I have to see you dance once more before I die! And a few days before she went to Baba in 2004, Patrik danced for her as she lay in Mani’s bed. Sara first danced in Mandali Hall in 1972, and throughout the years, as she would create dances swinging from the rafters and bouncing off the walls, Goher would say to her, “Can’t you just do something graceful for a change?!”

Beverly Smith & John Grimm

Beverly Smith is a renowned guitarist and vocalist in ‘old time music.’  A recording artist and touring performer, she has taught guitar, fiddle, and dance at a myriad of celebrated music camps. She has been a featured guest on A Prairie Home Companion and has toured extensively in both the US and the UK, and has played concert halls and festivals all over Europe, Canada and the US. John Grimm is an award winning fiddler and multi-instrumentalist who has played with many old time bands. A performer, recording artist and teacher, John has played with many prominent groups. Beverly and John are popular performers at the Sahavas and we’re delighted to see them again.

Jim Meyer

He has been called the Baba Renaissance Man: Jim makes his own instruments, makes his own music (when he's not busy painting his own pictures of Baba). Jim grew up in New York but was a fixture of Myrtle Beach for decades before relocating to Spruce Pine, near Asheville, way before it was fashionable.

Jim's deep voice and love for Baba has made himself part of American Baba music history.