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Zakir Hussain is today appreciated both
in the field of percussion and in the music world at large
as an international phenomenon. A classical tabla virtuoso
of the highest order, his consistently brilliant and exciting
performances have not only established him as a national treasure
in his own country, India, but gained him worldwide fame.
The favorite accompanist for many of India's greatest classical
musicians and dancers, from Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar
to Birju Maharaj and Shivkumar Sharma, he has not let his
genius rest there. His playing is marked by uncanny intuition
and masterful improvisational dexterity, founded in formidable
knowledge and study.
Widely considered a chief architect of the contemporary world
music movement, Zakir's contribution to world music has been
unique, with many historic collaborations including Shakti,
which he founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, the
Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart,
and recordings and performances with artists as diverse as
George Harrison, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Jack Bruce,
Tito Puente, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, the Hong Kong
Symphony and the New Orleans Symphony.
A child prodigy, Zakir was touring by the age of twelve,
the gifted son of his great father, tabla legend Ustad Alla
Rakha. Zakir came to the United States in 1970, embarking
on an international career which includes no fewer than 150
concert dates a year. He has composed and recorded many albums
and soundtracks, and has received widespread recognition as
a composer for his many ensembles and historic collaborations.
Most recently, he has composed soundtracks for the films In
Custody, Ismail Merchant's directorial debut, Little Buddha
by Bernardo Bertolucci, for which Zakir composed, performed
and acted as Indian music advisor and Vanaprastham, chosen
to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May, 1999.
Zakir received the distinct honor of co-composing the opening
music for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, 1996, and was commissioned
to compose music for San Francisco's premiere contemporary
ballet company, Lines, and to compose an original work for
the San Francisco Jazz Festival, both in 1998. He has received
numerous grants and awards, including participation in the
Meet the Composer programs funded by the Pew Memorial Trust.
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