Dawoud

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Dawoud is a master of a style he has named "Mystic Jaz," which includes musical elements from India raga and other music form around the world, fused with jazz, blues, electronica and trip hop. His new CD "Renegade Sufi" as well as his live performances iwth his group or as solo artist, are marvelous musical experiences.

"Far from being a mere hybrid of 'world' music, Mystic Jaz is a music that produces an enlightening effect upon the mind, body, and spirit of the listener. It is my intention to extrapolate musical directions that have yet to come to pass," states Dawoud on his website www.mysticjaz.com. He continues, saying,

"These effects are deliberate. I studied the various effects that the music of many diverse traditions has upon the human mind, body, and spirit. These were then incorporated into a unique form that seeks to forge ahead in the next phases of human culture and spirituality. Many audiences have attended my performances, and listened to my recordings. All are left with the unmistakable impression that they have participated in a unique musical experience that transcends beyond mere entertainment, into the realm of the spiritual." (cite website)

Dawoud plays the guitar, sitar, and several other instruments, sings, and composes his band's music and lyrics. When he is not performing or touring throughout the US and Europe, where "Renegade Sufi" is beginning to create a buzz, he works as a radio engineer and as an Imam for the New York City Department of Corrections.

He has also composed scores for film, theater, and dance performances, ranging from a few songs to the whole score. Some of the theater and dance pieces he did were completely improvised during the performance. One of the films he scored, "Beyond Baklava (Sunshine Star Productions) includes segments that Dawoud directed himself. He enjoys composing and improvising music for other artistic performances, and finds the process of underscoring these performances fascinating and spiritually rewarding. He has recorded and performed with several other artists, such as Lauryn Hill, Ustad Muzallim Hussain, Marie Alphonso (Zap Mama), and Junni Booth (Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Elvin Jones,Larry Young). 

As for composition of the musical style called Mystic Jaz, Kringle cites Bruce Lee as an influence, because Lee used all techniques available to him and made them flow together, seamlessly, in his own style, Jeet Kun Do. He writes his lyrics mostly about Sufi concepts, but also writes political songs, and may try a love song on his next album. His song "The Sun at Midnight" from his new CD "Renegade Sufi" describes the insights one receives on the Sufi path as God reveals new elements of reality to the seeker. In contrast, "Freedom," featuring spoken-word poetry, is a political song that offers spiritual solutions to society's problems, reminding people that they need to first look inside themselves and change their own hearts before pointing fingers at others.

Dawoud is available for performances, tours, recording sessions, commissions. He can be contacted at dawoudkringle@aol.com, or 212-877-2641. Visit his website at www.mysticjaz.com and at www.myspace.com/renegadesufi.

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NOW AVAILABLE! Music from some of the theater and film projects Daowud composed for. Daowud's entire catalog will be available soon!

The Sheikh Majnun collections are electronic music by Sheikh Majnun. Listen at your own risk!