Who is Dawoud and what is Mystic Jaz? I am a New York City based sitarist, guitarist, composer, improviser, performer, producer, and poet. I am also the founder and leader of the New Culture; a group who explores and contributes to the living musical entity I call Mystic Jaz. One of the main projects I devoted myself to is the development of techniques and innovations on sitar, including the incorporation and integration of eastern and western musical techniques; and the development of the sitar synthesizer (synthesizer that is triggered by the sitar). To the best of my knowledge, this is without precedent. My approach to music employs elements of diverse music from India, Persia, Africa, etc., both modern and ancient, within a context of jazz (especially modal and free), blues, hip hop, and other American forms. Far from being a mere hybrid of "world" music, Mystic Jaz is a music that produces an enlightening effect upon the mind, body, a...