Don’t just go by the funky tattoo of two large lotuses, a guitar and an ektara etched on the chest of 63-year-old Lee Lozowick, the bandleader of Shri, an Arizona-based jazz and blues ensemble. The eight-member band is on a special tour of Calcutta to jam with Purna Das Baul and son Dibyendu in a string of concerts to be conducted by composer Debajyoti Mishra over the next two weeks. A poet, singer, author and preacher, Lozowick lives his life according to his own “crazy wisdom”. Excerpts from a chat with t2:

Why do you call the band Shri?

I was drawn to the word shri because it is the principle of femininity that permeates the entire world. There can be no life without shri.

Is Shri your first musical venture?

I started with a rock’’roll band called Liars, Gods & Beggars in 1985. Shri happened five years later. At present, I have three bands — Shri, Lee Lozowick Project and Denise Allen Band. Shri performs traditional rhythm’’blues and gospel songs. Lee Lozowick Project is all about straightforward rock’’roll. Denise Allen Band is also a rock’’roll band with a touch of soul.

You call yourself a western Baul. Why is that?

I’ve been studying eastern traditions for more than 40 years, including Buddhism and yoga. I had read about the Bauls of Bengal before meeting any. One of the major aspects about them that attracts me is their use of art as a primary vehicle to express the idea of mysticism. Their music connects the mind and body. I’ve been connecting with this particular Baul philosophy for 15 years.

Why were you keen on doing music in Calcutta this time?

I had already heard and read a lot about Purna Das several years ago, before I actually met him at an Arizona concert. I feel a personal connection with him. I met his son Dibyendu around two years ago. We’ve performed together a few times and felt we should do it where they belong.

Tell us a little about your Hohm Community Ashram...

I set it up in 1975 at Prescott. It lies on a mountain top between southern and northern Arizona. I don’t follow any particular religion. I’ve been influenced by saints in body and soul, like Ramsurat Kumar. We have two centres in France and Tamil Nadu, with around 200 members, some of whom are residents and some live independently and come to practice yoga.

Mohua Das