ANJALI

"Mantra music and devotional songs have a most healing effect on the hearts and minds of humanity. It is my goal to convey that feeling of Supreme Love to all through music."
~ Anjali
Anjali, a.k.a. Angela Silva, has been recognized for her warmly, sensuous voice, and engaging performances. Her musical expression is a unique blend of Brazilian, East Indian, Latin American, and American jazz styles. Throughout her career, she has performed both nationally and internationally, working as a producer and singer on recording projects, television, and radio. She is the national secretary of arts for RAWA, Renaissance Artists and Writers Association, a global organization that promotes “art for service and blessedness”. Her solo recording, Sweet Joy (InnerSong 2004) has been acclaimed around the globe as one of the most inspiring spiritual CDs.
“Anjali sings a sound that resonates with your heart, so much so, that you will feel like you have wings and have been transported to another dimension.
Anjali makes heaven available to us through her song.”
~ Cindy Leinweber, founder of Luminesce Art Museum
An American of Portuguese, Mexican and Sephardic lineage, Anjali grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, surrounded with rich music from Cuban son to classical sonatas. The fourth generation of musicians on her mother’s side, she displayed a passionate interest in music at a very young age and at five years old, was already playing piano and composing songs on the guitar. She began formal voice training at age 15 and went on to study diverse techniques such as: opera, jazz, and Hindustani vocals. She was blessed to study with most prominate teachers: Claudine Spindt (SF Opera), Silvia Nakach, Patti Cathcart (Tuck & Patti), Ac. Nitysatyananda Avt., and Chandrakantha Courtney.
In the early 80’s, Anjali was the singer for several jazz big bands throughout the Bay Area. She helped form the acappella group Street Sounds, led by former Sweet Honey in the Rock member, Louise Robinson, and later spent a year in Japan for exclusive engagements in reputable nightclubs. Upon her return to the USA, she created her own groups, performing Brazilian and jazz music throughout the Bay Area. For nearly a decade, she worked closely with Colombian born singer-songwriter Claudia Gomez, performing Latin American music. Her working relationship with some of the finest Bay Area musicians resulted in the expansion of her musical education where she studied Brazilian and jazz guitar, percussion, composition and arrangement.
“Powerful stuff and HIGHLY recommended!
One of the most inspiring women in song today...
I could feel the complete rise in vibration from her presence, the music and kiirtan.”
~ Deanna Bordelon, RSc.P., Creative Life Spiritual Center
In the early 90’s Anjali set out for the South Pacific Islands for performances in major hotels. There she met with producer Tom Bejado, recorded several jingles, and performed the theme song for the Micronesian Olympic Games. Upon her return to the states, she began to study a distinct form of East Indian influenced compositions called Prabhat Samgiita (Songs of the New Dawn) written by mystic, P.R. Sarkar. In the fall of 1996, she performed these songs with award winning vocalist, Acharya Nityasatyananda at the UCLA Renaissance 2000 Conference in California. She would go on to teach and perform Prabhat Samgiita, earning the title for Best Prabhat Samgiita at the 2000 Ananda Kanan Summer Conference in Missouri.
“Anjali has a direct connection with Spirit that opens the heart and silences the mind. Words cannot do justice to her unique, spiritual presentation.”
~ Reverend Anne S. Gillis, founder of EZosophy Movement
In her career, Anjali has performed with some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians such as Mike Spiro, Rebecca Mauleon-Santana, and Joyce Cooling. She has been recognized by some of the most prominent figures in music such as Tuck and Patti, Placido Domingo, Joan Baez, Wayne Shorter and Manhattan Transfer. She has performed at some of California’s noted venues and festivals including the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Monterey and San Jose Jazz Festivals, and the Noe Valley Ministery Series.
Upon her move to Houston, Texas in 1998, Anjali has brought her special music to local spiritual centers and coffee houses. She has performed for events such as the March20 Houston, An Evening with David Barsamian, for Green Party presidential candidate David Cobb and for spiritual peace activist Michael Nagler. She has been regularly featured on KPFT 90.1, Pacifica Radio. Most currently, Anjali is the director of culture for the Women’s Wellbeing and Development Foundation, WWD-F; and a music workshop facilitator. She continues to perform both locally and abroad.
"Anjali has said it all in song - I can go home now!"
~ Michael Nagler, founder Peace and Conflict Studies Program, UC Berkeley
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