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Casey Cyr Gash ~ Bio
Visionary author & mystical seeker, Yoga by the Sea founder Casey Gash, BFA E-RYT is a visionary author & mystical seeker, exploring sound image and word. Casey's lifetime passion has been the study and experience of spirituality, humanism, mysticism & creativity. She is co-founder of Calque Cinema Records & Publishing, Yoga by the Sea & Metta Journal.
"Yoga by the Sea is an extension of my personal quest, to share compassionate practices with others on their inquiry of yoga: a path of union with the Divine, self-awareness and self-realization. The ancient practice of yoga is an enduring gift, a navigational tool, a divining rod that serves the student's highest inquiry. My philosophy honors each person's individual path." –Casey Gash BFA E-RYT From Casey: journey as a seeker
I am grateful for the assistance of many teachers, from many traditions, religions and philosophies. What was this stuggle of 'belief' across cultures, and who are we ~ human beings? The ancient Romans wanted no such religion. But religion and philosophy are the cornerstones of our spiritual inquiry. Just as now, there is a struggle in the world. Still I ask 'who are we', 'where are we going?' I ask how and why we struggle, how did we get here? Mysticism isn't a strange concept to me. Like miracles and divine intervention, it is as natural as breathing. What we don't know far outweights what we know. And what we know of the divine is even smaller. Even as a young child, I began to grasp just how small I was compared to the divine, and I sought to know more. I was introduced to Buddhism by my dad, who was a devout Catholic. We roamed Southern Italy when I was a Navy kid going from cathedral to stone chapel, in search of the worlds of Saint Francis and the Christian Mystics that intrigued him, and to connect further with Jesus, whom he adored.
This new ancient world also intrigued me, just as the ancient Roman Catholic one, but it was completely different. I wanted to know more. Those seem to be different times now, when the constructs of affiliation required inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, questioning. Before 'identity politics' there was deconstruction of identity by inquiring into unseen meanings; what lies behind – to learn what can be 'deconstructed'. As an adult, to dive in deeper into traditional Buddhism, I attended a three day event on the subject of The Diamond Sutra with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and thousands of others in New York. I had to great opportunity to work with Buddhist Meditation Teacher and Filmmaker John Halpern, creator of Talking with the Dalai Lama, Refuge and Waking Buddha.
Throughout my life, I have created works of art through multi-media, been a folk singer and songwriter, produced volumes of poetry and prose and assisted others to do the same. These creative outlets are a path towards reconing, healing, understanding.
I have felt at home at NYC's Knitting Factory reading poetry by Jack Kerouac with Steve Earle and David Amram and performing my own eccentric folk music at cozy clubs like Luna Lounge, The C-Note, Lakeside Lounge, Nuyorican Poet's Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club. My books and CDS include View From the Launch Pad, Metta Morpheus, Phantom Moon, Shiva, David Amram Poetry JAM, as founder of Calque Cinema Records & Publishing. Mandala of the Celestial Sphere
I happened upon Alma Daniel's book Ask Your Angels in 1992, and purchased it immediately. After reading it, I realized that I had been doing what the book described. To find out more, I booked a session with Alma and discussed this writing at length with her, and attended Alma's special meditation classes. For the past 25 years, this writing and communication has been a constant companion, and I am sharing what I have learned with others through heart-centered yoga classes, workshops and retreats. Painting ~ Mandala of the Celestial Sphere by Casey Cyr Gash, 1994 Poetry & Music
Historian & Author Douglas Brinkley orchestrated Insomniacathon 1996 with Ron Whitehead ~ Casey had the privilege of being included with David Amram at The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans Text and Images by Casey Gash, except where noted.
Discography / Published & New Works Memory Bank (a screenplay) by Casey Cyr Gash ~ Calque Cinema Records & Publishing Written between 1999-2013 ~ Jonah, a loveable slacker, who like his namesake Jonah the wayward prophet, finds a way to redeem himself and save the world as he comes to know himself. Through the lens of his deceased father's love, he and his relatives find common ground to help him on his quest. ~ Science-fiction, Drama, Dark & Enlightened Comedy
Lovingly nurtured & produced between 2000-2010 in NYC ~ Poems / Songs ~ Poets & Musicians on David Amram Poetry JAM are: Ron Whitehead, Richard Lee Martin, Lee Ranaldo, Albert Kausch, Steve Dalachinsky (39 Tracks) by Calque Cinema Records & Publishing Calque Cinema Records & Publishing 2010
Casey's Poems/Songs on David Amram Poetry JAM Ruby Glass is a Violet Girl (author/voice) Music by David Amram Shiva (author/voice/guitar) Music by David Amram Magic Door (author/voice) Music by David Amram View from the Launch Pad I. Self Knowledge (author/voice) Music by David Amram The Good Rain (author/voice) Music by David Amram Vested Interests (author/voice) Music by David Amram I Have Heard Music (author/voice) Music by David Amram Say it Close (author) Spoken word by Albert Kausch Music by David Amram Never Give Up: Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama (voice) with Ron Whitehead and David Amram Shiva by Casey Cyr (single) Produced in 1998, French Horn added in 1999, Casey Cyr Gash ~ guitar & vocals & David Amram on French Horn, Flutes
1999 - Casey Cyr Gash ~ guitar & vocals
Spirit-Guided Poems, Drawings, Prose Hozomeen Press 1999, Calque Cinema Records & Publishing 2010
Songs from 1992-1999, Calque Cinema Records & Publishing 1999 ~ Songs ~ Phantom Moon, Mercy Came Down, The Spirits, Mystery, Summer of Love, One at a Time, Shiva (edit)
Kentucky Blues David Amram, Ron Whitehead, Casey Cyr, Robin Tichenor, Andy Cook & Dylan Whitehead - Published in Heaven Audio
50 Drawings, 50 Poems ~ Poems & Haikus on devotion as a young student of Eastern Buddhism and thought, and Western mythology ~ Metta = Love, Morpheus= the God of Dreams Hozomeen Press 1994 (out of print) New York Underground Music & Poetry Festival CD: Volume 1 2000 (out of print) The Dream by Casey Cyr ~ Mystical Prose, Drawings, Paintings ~ Inspired by Cal, a wounded Vietnam Vet who stood on the street corner in my town for many years holding up messages ~ Though he had irreprable brain injury, he showed that one could inspire others to love and serve ~ even while standing still. ~ Hand-made volume (out of print) A Letter to All Your Gods With Love ~ Love rant, from a young spirit-guided and often misguided seeker. ~ (1992 out of print) Announcing the Historic David Amram Poetry JAM CD — Celebrating 57 years of Spontaneous JAMs!
MYSTIC, CONNECTICUT (August 1, 2012) - Calque Cinema Records is overjoyed to announce the release of David Amram Poetry JAM – a historic 39-track CD Anthology featuring original musical compositions by world-renowned multi-instrumentalist, composer and conductor David Amram, described as "the Renaissance man of American music" by The Boston Globe. This historic CD represents the culmination of the work of a generation, as David Amram jams with poetic luminaries as he has done since 1957 when he performed with Jack Kerouac in New York City's first-ever jazz & poetry readings – now 57 years ago! David Amram is a pioneer of the genre of literary and musical collaborations. From 1957-1958, Jack Kerouac and David Amram with Philip Lamantia and Howard Hart held a series of New York City's first-ever official public jazz and poetry readings at the Brata Art Gallery, the Circle in the Square Theater and Brooklyn College. Those historic readings are described in David's books "Vibrations," "Offbeat: Collaborating With Kerouac" and "Upbeat: Nine Lives of a Musical Cat" published by Paradigm Publishers. David accompanies readings of original poetry by poetic luminaries (in alpha order) Casey Cyr, Steve Dalachinsky, Albert Kausch, Richard L. Martin, Lee Ranaldo and Ron Whitehead, who have collaborated together live on stage, in the studio, and who share titles published by the Kerouac-inspired boutique imprint Hozomeen Press. Ron Whitehead, author of 21 books and 31 cds has been hailed by many as the poet of his generation "I have long admired Ron Whitehead. He is crazy as nine loons, and his poetry is a dazzling mix of folk wisdom and pure mathematics"- Hunter S. Thompson. Lee Ranaldo is a musician, visual artist, writer, and founding member of the New York City group Sonic Youth. Richard L. Martin is founder of Hozomeen Press, Cosmodemonic Telegraph and the Telegraph Recording Company, collectively releasing some 300 titles of poetry, prose, graphics and music over the last 20 years. Dr. Albert Kausch, is a geneticist and poet, and has invented over twenty patents. NYC poet Steve Dalachinsky is the author of numerous books and CDs. Casey Cyr is a writer, musician, visual artist, founder of Calque Cinema Records & Publishing and producer of David Amram Poetry JAM. The CD's 39 tracks were recorded in three sessions between 2000 and 2001, the first occurring before David celebrated his 70th birthday. The excitement of the new millennium in Times Square was nearly rivaled by David Amram's landmark 70th Birthday Bash at New York City's Knitting Factory, which featured several artists on these recordings. Other collaborations included events at the 16-venue 3-day New York Underground Music & Poetry Festival, a tribute to Gregory Corso at Nuyorican Poets Café, and Old Angel Midnight: A Tribute to David Amram and Jack Kerouac at New York's popular HOWL Festival. David Amram Poetry JAM was recorded at New York City's world-class studio Sorcerer Sound, known for its superb recordings by eclectic, established and ground-breaking artists such as: Norah Jones, Matthew Shipp & DJ Spooky, Allen Ginsburg, Philip Glass, John Cage, Public Enemy, L.L. Cool J, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Richie Havens, Bob Dylan, Herbie Hancock, Violent Femmes, Television, Luna, The Sugarcubes and Jeff Buckley to name a few. In the studio, as each poet read, David listened intently, composing on the spot. David Amram crafts spontaneous compositions that harmonize with the poem, as he draws from an arsenal of instruments from the four corners of the globe – Shanai, Doumbek, Lakota Courting Flute, Congas & Cascara, Moroccan Clay Drum, Tambourine, Ocarina, Irish Double D Whistle, Piano and French Horn. Instruments are only tools for his creations. It is his ability to transmute language into sound and vibration that convey his alchemical genius. Through a lifelong love affair with music, literature, language, and life itself, David Amram is a true master. An aspect of his diverse mastery is forever captured in these joyful and poignant collaborations. David Amram's Biography
A pioneer player of jazz French horn, he is also a virtuoso on piano, numerous flutes and whistles, percussion, and dozens of folkloric instruments from 25 countries, as well as an inventive, funny improvisational lyricist. He has collaborated with Leonard Bernstein, who chose him as The New York Philharmonic's first composer-in-residence in 1966, Langston Hughes, Dizzy Gillespie, Dustin Hoffman, Willie Nelson, Thelonious Monk, Odetta, Elia Kazan, Arthur Miller, Charles Mingus, Lionel Hampton, E. G. Marshall, Johnny Depp and Tito Puente. One of Amram's most recent works Giants of the Night is a flute concerto dedicated to the memory Charlie Parker, Jack Kerouac and Dizzy Gillespie, three American artists Amram knew and worked with. It was commissioned and premiered by Sir James Galway. His two most recent orchestral works are Symphonic Variations on a Song by Woody Guthrie, commissioned by the Guthrie Foundation, premiered Sept. 29 2007, and Three Songs: A Concerto for Piano and Orchestra premiered in January of 2009. He was the Democratic National Convention's composer-in-residence in August of 2008 in Denver. Today, as he has for over fifty years, Amram continues to compose music while traveling the world as a conductor, soloist, band leader, visiting scholar, and narrator in five languages. David Amram Links David Amram's webpage is www.davidamram.com. His concert music is published by C.F. Peters Corporation (B.M.I. For outstanding live performances documented over the past 32 years)
Artist Links (alpha order) Casey Cyr (Gash) www.instagram.com/caseycyrgash/ Steve Dalachinsky en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Dalachinsky www.facebook.com/ExploreNewLondon/videos/3005449979701263/ Lee Ranaldo www.leeranaldo.com Ron Whitehead
It's been 57 years since David Amram began collaborating with poets, creating music on the spot while accompanying verse! The first poet happened to be the beloved Jack Kerouac at the Circle in the Square in New York City in 1957. Since then, many lucky artists have had the pleasure of jamming with David. This CD was recorded 12 years ago with some of America's finest poets, and the 39 tracks have been mixed from 2" tape to bring you this historic anthology. Most of these tracks have never been heard before, and have never been released commercially. It is unlikely that a CD like this will ever be created again, as David composed all of the music for 39 tracks (including layering tracks) completely on the spot with no music written in advance. The CD begins with David rapping "Psychic Supper", where he created a new never-before-spoken poem. What follows are simply gorgeous musical collaborations — pure genius — a lifetime of musical knowledge combined with the divine spark of spontaneity. I am so fortunate to have worked with David for the past 18 years, and am ecstatic to share this One-of-a-Kind American Classic Original Masterpiece with all of you! — Casey Cyr Gash, Producer
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About Casey Cyr Gash BFA E-RYT 
Yoga by the Sea
Early in life, I was drawn to the mystical nature in things. While studying Fine Arts, I took college courses on Humanism & Mysticism, Comparative Religions, and Metaphysics, and I continue to engage in a life-long study of poetry, philosophy and human potential through creativity and the imagination. 
He had a book called 'Think On These Things' by Krishnamurti, and I began looking through it before I was a teenager. 
Art & Music
In New York, I co-founded the New York Underground Music & Poetry Festival with a group of like-minded artists, which included hundreds of events at 16 NYC clubs over 3 days in November of 2000. The festival's grand finale celebrated David Amram's 70th birthday at the Knitting Factory. I also produced events for Dialogue Among Civilizations Through Poetry, HOWL Festival and numerous others.
Over the years Casey has organized and participated in hundreds of inclusive readings and happenings with spiritual seekers, visionaries, mystics, artists, authors, poets & musicians from all over the world including ~ David Amram, Michelle Esrick, Ron Whitehead, Frank Messina, Douglas Brinkley, Richard Lee Martin, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Earle, Peter Gerety, Zoe Artemis, Denis Mahoney, Jennifer Wolcin, Albert Kausch, Steve Dalachinsky, Yuko Otomo, Kevin Twigg, John DeWitt, Adira Amram, Hersch Silverman, Levi Asher, Alan Semenovich, George Wallace, Mike McHugh, Ekayani, Jeremy Hogan, John Halpern and many more.
David Amram Poetry JAM
Hello Butterfly by Casey Cyr (single)
Phantom Moon by Casey Cyr (CD) 
Metta Morpheus by Casey Cyr
"Having so many terrific talents pieced together, this album is quintessential for all those interested in capturing the real significance, dynamic and spirit of Jazz Spoken Word in all its apogee and maturity, as shaman maestro David Amram keeps the flame of an ever-changing tradition, one he himself helped to cement and consolidate by performing with Jack Kerouac almost 60 years ago, and majestically sows it into the future. Like a rare fine wine it will bathe you in ecstasy from beginning to end." — Henrik Aeshna 
David Amram has composed more than 100 orchestral and chamber music works, written many scores for Broadway theater and film, including classic scores for films