Ananda Vaughan is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist whose musical journey spans over three decades. While deeply rooted in jazz, his explorations have led him to incorporate diverse world and American styles into his playing, resulting in a versatile and original sound. When not touring with his original projects BrightSide Blue and Ananda Vaughan Music, he works as a guitar teacher, songwriter and session player in Northern California. Inspired by artists such as Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Ali Farka Touré, and Pat Metheny, Vaughan blends uplifting melodies with innovative guitar and mandolin techniques.
Featured Songs:
“The Gathering,” showcased on Putumayo's Café du Monde, is an entrancing instrumental piece featuring Salif Bamakora’s lilting kora (a 21-string West African harp) and Vaughan’s guitar/mandolin work, accompanied by upright bass and gentle percussion. Salif Bamakora has studied extensively with Malian virtuoso Madou Sidiki Diabaté, and tours and performs with the global fusion artist Simrit.
Vaughan collaborates on “Beginner’s Mind,” with Shannon Hayden, an experimental cellist who pushes musical boundaries by fusing her classical training with electronic innovation. Raised on an off-grid farm, Hayden developed a unique artistic voice, layering analog warmth with digital textures. The Lounge du Monde song, "Beginner’s Mind," was inspired by the Buddhist concept of shoshin, which encourages approaching life with the mindset of a beginner, free from rigidity and preconceptions. The song reflects Vaughan’s personal commitment to embracing new creative processes, stepping beyond comfort zones, and allowing curiosity to shape a fresh and evolving sound.
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