David Nichtern

• Born — 19 February 1948 • Birthplace — Manhattan • Occupation — Television, film, composer, songwriter, music industry, yoga • Children — Ethan Nichtern

Born and raised in Manhattan, Nichtern is the son of Sol Nichtern, a prominent New York psychiatrist and writer, and Broadway producer Claire Nichtern, the first female Tony Award winner. Having begun practicing music at age eight, he began his career as a professional musician during his college years at Columbia University. He served as director of sales for the New England Digital Corporation in the 1980s. He is the founder of music-marketing company Nudgie Music LLC and its divisions Dharma Moon and 5 Points Records. He wrote the song "Midnight at the Oasis." He has his own world/fusion band, Drala Beginning in 1970, Nichtern became a student of the Shambhala Buddhist tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and was taught by the founder, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Nichtern has since become a senior teacher. Nichtern has been the Director of Expansion for Shambhala Training and co-director of the Karme Choling Meditation Center in Vermont. Nichtern's son, Ethan Nichtern, is a Buddhist teacher and author.

5 Points Records is a privately held label based in New York City founded by Nichtern. Its sister companies include the world-lifestyle label Dharma Moon, the custom label 5 Points V.I.P. and the music publishing company Nudgie Tunes. The label's first release, the first installment of the Rare Elements series, included works by Sultan Khan remixed by modern artists, including Thievery Corporation.

• The Student Teachers (1973) • White Line Fever (1975) • Sapphire Man (1988) • The Big Picture (1989) • One Life to Live (1995–2007) • As the World Turns

• The Big Picture (1989) • Perfect Witness (1989)