The Big Sur Folk Festival played a few of the opening notes of Esalen’s rock and folk musical legacy. Celebration at Big Sur, the documentary film about the legendary 1969 concert, begins with Joan Baez, seven months pregnant, singing Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” in her iconic soprano. The lawn, surrounded by mountains, forest, and ocean, forms Mother Nature’s amphitheater, packed with a rainbow of humanity. On the pool deck, Joni Mitchell harmonizes alongside Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young before the crowd jumps to the soulful rhythms of gospel classic “Oh Happy Day!” belted out by Dorothy Combs Morrison and Baez.
Aspiring artists have long performed, studied, taught, and found refuge at Esalen since the festivals began in 1964. These artists included Charles River Valley Boys, gospel singer Vernon Bush, folk singer Johnsmith, Donovan, Devendra Banhart, cellist David Darling, sarod player Ali Akbar Khan, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Taj Mahal, Kris Kristofferson, Chambers Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel, and countless others. From folk singer-songwriters to rock royalty, pop princesses, the African drums of Babatunde Olatunji, and today’s electronic artists, music is evermore an essential part of Esalen.
As the counterculture movement swept across America, the music scene here grew. George Harrison and Ringo Starr helicoptered in to jam with then artist-in-residence, Ravi Shankar and his sitar. Judy Collins, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Mama Cass Elliot, all sang here. Arlo Guthrie, Country Joe McDonald T, John Sebastian, and Mimi Farina (who got married at Esalen) all came down the hill seeking creative inspiration.
Babatunde Olatunji, the renowned Nigerian drummer, percussionist, and icon played a pivotal role in shaping Esalen’s musical landscape during his tenure and long residency as an Esalen village elder. He was often joined in Drums of Passion by David Price, Esalen’s former GM and son of Esalen co-founder Dick Price, both at Esalen and on tour at concert venues throughout the US.
“I have had so many healing moments at Esalen. Some in workshops, some in the baths, some when I was there on personal retreat. All of them rich and moving and balm-like.” — Alanis Morrisette, who led a workshop titled Hurtling toward Wholeness in 2015.
Flash forward to 2023, our inaugural Summer Groove festival — headlined by drumming legend (and student of Babatunde Olatunji) Sanga of the Valley on the djembe. Early 2024 introduced the Go Within wintering festival featuring Indigenous Sakha singer Snow Raven, harpist Mary Lattimore, and ambient music pioneer Laraaji.
Our sonic evolution continues through Esalen’s artist-in-residence program. In January 2024, pop singer Kesha shared her creative process during her Alchemy of Pop class.
As we continue to tune in and groove on, pick up an instrument and join the legacy of musical expression here. You never know who is right there to provide backup.
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Esalen Institute
55000 Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
US: 1-831-667-3000
info@esalen.org
