Born in Los Angeles to a singer/songwriter and a jazz drummer, Portland native Anandi ended up in Nova Scotia where she studied vocal jazz performance at St. Francis Xavier University.  After a stint working at Rounder Records in Boston and singing her original songs around Boston and New York City she moved back to Portland after bearing ‘live’ witness to the 9/11 attacks in downtown New York City.

After releasing three independent albums of original songs, she returned to jazz, singing classic standards inspired by the likes of Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, and Carmen McCrae, becoming a well-respected jazz singer and singing at venues like the legendary Jimmy Mack’s, the 1905, the Jack London Revue and the PDX Jazz Festival.  During this time, she released three jazz albums, all the while managing her boutique store, Karuna Contemplative Living and teaching music.

The result of Anandi's latest album, A Better Way, is one of uncommon beauty and depth. Producer Greg Goebel’s arrangements surround Anandi’s clear and soulful voice in this collection of meaningful ballads, heartfelt anthems, passionate chants and contemplative soul.   Anandi’s well-crafted songs contain a sense of wisdom and poetry rarely encountered in today's pop music and it is clear that she has been influenced by her life in yoga and meditation.  Except for a guest appearance by tenor saxophonist Adrian Baxter on an upbeat version of Jim Pepper’s cult classic “Witchi-tai-to” there are only two creators on this album.

With a name that means ‘bliss’ in Sanskrit one could easily infer that Anandi’s music would conjure up sounds and images of sleepy mellowness.  But this isn’t “New Age” music.  Anandi’s songs have a strong sense of wakefulness, with poignant lyricism and melodic sophistication.

Anandi regularly performs with Internationally acclaimed guitarist John Stowell. Never settling into a musical box, Anandi is always collaborating with others; projects include PDX's All Female Jazz Quartet, Nica's Dream, the original acoustic trio Maiden Oregon and Retro Soul group AM Sister Soul. She also keeps a busy schedule teaching voice, guitar and piano.
 

Anandi YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvfwl1PNGG5pyEakVud79hg