An Evening with Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain is today appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon -- Moment Records

Here is "a rare up-close-and-personal evening with Indian tabla phenomenon and world-music trailblazer Zakir Hussain (bio). The percussion maestro plays and discusses some of his all-time favorite recordings and shares anecdotes from his long and storied career—from his early days studying with his father, the legendary Ravi Shankar accompanist Ustad Allarakha; to his membership with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin in the pioneering global-fusion band Shakti; to his Grammy-winning work with the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart in Planet Drum."

Part I: Zakir Hussain discusses studying under father Ustad Alla Rakha; improv in rock; his first public performances with Ali Akbar Khan, Hariprasad Chaurasia and Shivkumar Sharma

Part II: Zakir Hussain discusses supporting fellow Indian musicians; the chilla; influence of jazz on his personal style.

Part III: Zakir Hussain discusses working in Bollywood and the fusion of western and Indian musical styles; impact of hearing Blind Faith and Mahavishnu Orchestra

Part IV: Zakir Hussain discusses the SF Bay Area as a melting pot of world percussion styles and musicians; collaborating with Mickey Hart; composing and performing with John McLaughlin; practice ethic as a young musician

total time: 01:39:46 | brought to you by SFJazz

Also, in their biography of Zakir Hussain, DrummerWorld.com offers two mp3s of his work. The first is a live traditional complete tabla solo (10:39), and the second is a jazz piece with Steve Smith, George Brooks, Fareed Haque and Kai Eckhardt titled "Mad Tea Time" (3:48).

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