Zakir Hussain, one of many biggest exponents of tabla music, a type of Indian drumming, has died.
Hussain, who throughout his profession labored with George Harrison and Van Morrison amongst others, died at a hospital in San Francisco from problems arising out of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, his household stated.
A household assertion stated: “He leaves behind an extraordinary legacy cherished by countless music lovers around the globe, with an influence that will resonate for generations to come. His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians.
“He hoped to encourage the following technology to go additional. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of many biggest musicians of all time. The household requests privateness presently.”
Picture:
Zakir Hussain performing in New Delhi in 2009. File pic: AP
Hussain, 73, has received 4 Grammys, essentially the most for an Indian musician, together with for Greatest World Music Album, World Music Efficiency, and Greatest Modern Instrumental Album at this yr’s awards in February.
Among the many many tributes posted on social media, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi known as him a “legendary tabla maestro” and a “true genius” on X.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar stated “we were fortunate to witness your magic” and “the beats will continue to echo in our hearts forever”.
Fellow cricketer Yuvraj Singh known as Hussain a “true maestro”.
In a music profession spanning six many years, Hussain labored with a number of famend worldwide musicians.
In 1972, he met British guitarist John McLaughlin, resulting in the formation of the groundbreaking Shakti band the next yr.
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It additionally included violinist, L Shankar, and percussionist, T H Vinayakram, and their mix of Indian classical music with Western jazz received the group a Grammy for Greatest World Music.
He reworked the artwork of tabla taking part in and through his lengthy profession collaborated with Jerry Garcia, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the Grateful Dread, with Irish singer Van Morrison, American percussionist Mickey Hart, Latin jazz percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo in addition to taking part in on George Harrison’s 1973 album Dwelling In The Materials World, which reached primary in a number of nations’ album charts
Picture:
Zakir Hussain (C), with Edgar Meyer (L), and Rakesh Chaurasia, received Greatest World Music Efficiency for Pashto on the 2024 Grammys in Los Angeles. Pic: AP
Within the Nineties he delved into Asian Underground music that fused Western music with Asian classics, however made positive to retain the prominence of the tabla.
His collaboration with banjo legend Béla Fleck, double bass artist Edgar Meyer and flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, took dwelling this yr’s Grammy for Greatest Modern Instrumental Album with the album As We Communicate. Pashto by the collaboration received the award for Greatest World Music Efficiency. The group was set to tour India in January.
He has additionally made music for Bollywood and Hollywood movies, together with this yr’s Monkey Man with Dev Patel, and acted in 1983’s Warmth And Mud, a Service provider-Ivory manufacturing wherein his character romanced Julie Christie.
His life and profession had been affected by awards, together with receiving the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award for “exceptional and distinguished service”. He had beforehand received the third and fourth-highest civilian awards.
A toddler prodigy, Hussain realized early from his father Alla Rakha, one other of India’s biggest tabla gamers.
He usually claimed he realized the fundamental rhythm of the tabla from the primary phrases his father whispered into his ears when he was first introduced dwelling after delivery.
He performed his first live performance aged simply seven and started touring a mere 5 years later.
After finishing his training in Mumbai, the place he was born, he left for America in 1970. By 19, Hussain was instructing on the College of Washington earlier than becoming a member of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan’s music faculty in San Francisco.
He was additionally voted “sexiest man” by feminine readers of the Indian journal Gentleman in 1994 in a contest towards the likes of Bollywood famous person Amitabh Bachchan.
The jugalbandi, a duet between two solo musicians in Indian classical music has been a outstanding a part of his efficiency.
Followers of the fashion treasured the playful melodramatic musical banter between Hussain and sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar, santoor maestro Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and sarangi stalwart Ustad Sultan Khan, in addition to different classical Indian musicians.
Hussain is survived by his spouse, Antonia Minnecola, and his daughters, Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi.
