In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, guitarist and composer Shambhu sits down with flugelhorn and trumpet artist Jeff Oster — a dear friend, longtime collaborator, and one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary jazz and New Age instrumental music.

Jeff Oster's journey is anything but conventional. Before launching his recording career, he spent years balancing life as a financial advisor while quietly shaping a deeply personal musical voice. Since then, his warm, melodic flugelhorn sound has become a defining presence across dozens of albums and collaborations.

In this wide-ranging and intimate conversation, Shambhu and Jeff reflect on how they first met in 2009, their shared musical path, and the creative relationships that followed — including collaborations with Will Ackerman, Tom Eaton, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Purdie, Chuck Rainey, Ruslan Sirota, Diane Arkenstone, and many others .

Jeff opens up about:

• Growing up with classical, jazz, pop, and prog-rock influences

• Discovering the flugelhorn and shaping his signature tone

• Recording albums like Released, True, Surrender, Next, Reach, Brothers, Howling Loon, Seven Conversations, and Divine Ratio of Love

• His collaborative work with Shambhu, including "On Mother's Day" and "Montauk to Mexico"

• Improvisation as a spiritual and emotional practice

• Using looping, delays, and sound design in live performance

• Why it's never too late to follow the sound that calls you

This episode is a deep dive into tone, breath, silence, improvisation, and creative reinvention — and a reminder that music can be both a refuge and a lifelong companion.

🎺 Learn more about Jeff Oster and his music: https://www.jeffoster.com

🎸 Explore Shambhu's music and podcast episodes: https://www.shambhumusic.com/podcast

If this conversation moved you, please like, subscribe, and share Shambhu Sessions wherever you listen to podcasts.

"On Mother's Day", composed by Jeffrey Oster (ASCAP) and Neil Vineberg (BMI), is used under license to Shambhu Sessions.

Welcome to Shambhu Sessions, where we explore the heart, spirit, and stories behind the music.

In Episode 8, I welcome one of my closest friends and longtime collaborators — guitarist, composer, producer, and sound-explorer Todd Boston. Todd and I met in 2009, and from the first moments we played together, we shared a creative and intuitive musical connection that has shaped both of our lives.

Todd is a deeply versatile artist whose journey spans:

🎵 Touring internationally with Snatam Kaur, Manose, GuruGanesha Singh, and other beloved artists in the mantra and devotional community

🎵 Recording his breakthrough album Touched by the Sun with producer Will Ackerman

🎵 Creating immersive sound worlds through Dolby Atmos and cinematic sound design

🎵 Releasing solo albums including Alive, Urban Nature, and his newest work, ANAM

🎵 Building his own studios — first in Lagunitas, CA and now in Portland, OR

🎵 Mixing and mastering all of my albums and singles since Soothe

In this conversation, Todd shares the full arc of his musical evolution — from discovering the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and early blues, to studying Indian classical music with maestro Ali Akbar Khan, to performing on global stages, and ultimately becoming an immersive audio designer for film and visual installations.

We dive into:

🔹 Todd's earliest musical memories and the healing power of the guitar

🔹 His transition from electric to acoustic fingerstyle

🔹 The impact of Echoes Radio and the discovery of Windham Hill

🔹 His deep study of Indian classical music and the spiritual roots of sound

🔹 Touring the world with Snatam Kaur and the devotional music community

🔹 The story of how he met Will Ackerman during my Sacred Love sessions

🔹 Building his own recording studios — and why space matters

🔹 His leap into Dolby Atmos and immersive sound

🔹 Our long creative partnership and intuitive remote workflow

🔹 His film work, including the immersive project Orbital

🔹 His latest album ANAM and upcoming 2026 projects

🔹 His philosophy of music as a sacred force that connects all human beings

This episode is a tribute to Todd's artistry, heart, and devotion to sound as a healing force.

Explore Todd's music and projects: https://toddBoston.com

Listen to more episodes of Shambhu Sessions: https://pods.to/ss

Explore Shambhu's music at: https://shambhumusic.com

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Stay open, stay inspired, and keep listening.

— Shambhu

In this episode of Shambhu Sessions, I sit down with the luminous Diane Arkenstone — a visionary composer, multi-instrumentalist, and pioneer in New Age, ambient, and cinematic music.

Diane shares how she overcame health challenges and how music became her path to healing. We explore her creative flow, her alter egos like Enaid, Ah Nee Mah and Earth Trybe, and the inspiration behind her books and recent music releases — including Ocean Serenade from her upcoming pop album Hotel Del Mar and her new holiday single Starlight on Fallen Snow with David Arkenstone.

We also dive into:

• Her work with Native American communities in the Southwest

• Her success founding Neo Pacifica Recordings

• Her award-winning children's books and animated film

• Her personal philosophy on art, spirit, nature, and healing

🔗 Listen to Diane Arkenstone's music: www.dianearkenstone.com

🎧 Listen to Shambhu's music: www.shambhumusic.com

🌿 Learn more about Shambhu Sessions: www.shambhumusic.com/podcast

👉 Listen, follow, and share Shambhu Sessions wherever you get your podcasts.

CREDITS:

Intro/Outro music: "Pondering When" by Shambhu, written by Neil Vineberg (Sacred Love Music – BMI) is used under license to Shambhu Sessions.