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Zakir Hussain
If the Indian Tabla is as well known today as the Cuban conga, it is above all thanks to one quite extraordinary musician, Zakir Hussain. Both national treasure and international star, Zakir's huge talent and visionary style have made him into one of India's most renowned musical ambassadors.
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| Portrait |
Zakir Hussain
If the Indian Tabla is as well known today as the Cuban conga, it is above all thanks to one quite extraordinary musician, Zakir Hussain. Both national treasure and international star, Zakir's huge talent and visionary style have made him into one of India's most renowned musical ambassadors.
Zakir was born on 9 March 1951, son of the legendary Ustad Allah Rakha. A child prodigy, he began playing and performing at a very early age, already touring the Indian sub-continent accompanying musicians and dancers when just twelve years old. His formidable dexterity and gift for improvisation would soon have him sought after as accompanist by the best in Indian classical music - from Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar to Birju Maharaj and Shivkumar Sharma.
A fervent and dedicated defender of the Indian classical tradition, Zakir Hussain is also widely considered to be one of the contemporary world music scene's pioneers. Just as his father before him, Zakir has brought the tabla onto the forefront of the international stage. His numerous crossover collaborations with jazz and rock musicians have been hailed within the music industry, receiving its most prestigious awards time and again.
In 1975 Hussain joined forces with Indian violinist L. Shankar and British guitarist John McLaughlin to form "Shakti", one of the first and most innovative East-West fusion groups. They disbanded in 1978 but reformed in 1998 for a memorable tour as "Remember Shakti".
Other notable musical encounters have been with George Harrison, Van Morrison, Tito Puente, Pharoah Saunders, Billy Cobham, the Hong Kong Symphony and the New Orleans Symphony. His work with Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead produced the album "Planet Drum" which won the 1992 Grammy for Best World Music Album amongst several other awards.
A prolific composer, Zakir Hussain has been commissioned to compose for major international events, such as the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics anthem. For the cinema, another of his passions, he has worked alongside Bertolucci and Ismail Merchant as actor, musical director and composer, nominated at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival for the soundtrack of "Heat and Dust".
Since 1970 Zakir Hussain has been based in the United States. His contribution to the development of India's culture across the globe has been honoured in both his country of origin and adoption : in 1988 he was awarded the title of "Padma Shri", a sign of recognition by the Indian government for civilians of merit ; in 1990 he received the Indo-American Award ; in 1999 the Indian President presented Hussain with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and later that year he became a member of the National Heritage Fellowship in the United States.
In 1992, Zakir founded his own record label, Moment Records with a considerable catalogue presenting not only his own work but also that of many of his country's most celebrated classical master musicians from both North and South India.
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| Discography |
Golden String of the Sarode
(Album)
Moment records D.G Diffusion
2007 |
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Selects
(Album)
Moment Records
2002 |
BUY |
Eternal Light
(Album)
Moment Records
2001 |
BUY |
Making Music
(Album)
Universal Records
1999 |
BUY |
Essence of Rhythm
(Album)
Polygram
1998 |
BUY |
Zakir Hussain & The Rhythm Experience
(Album)
Moment Records
1992 |
BUY |
World Network Vol.1 : India : Raga Purya Kalyan
(Album)
World Network Harmonia Mundi
1991 |
BUY |
Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain - Tabla Duet
(Album)
Moment Records
1988 |
BUY |
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| Contact |
Moment Records
Tél : 415.459.6994 | Fax : 415.459.7742
237 Crescent Road San Anselmo | USA | CA 94960
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