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December 15, 2024 6:39 PM Subscribe
Zakir Hussain, legendary tabla player who defied genres, dies at 73.
Performing With Rahul Sharma on Santoor.
Performing With Bela Fleck on Banjo, Edgar Meyer on Double bass.
Performing with his Indian fusion band, Shakti.
Zakir Hussain & Rakesh Chaurasia on the bansuri.
interview: Bringing Tabla to the global stage .
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Ricky Kej (3x grammy winner)
Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain . One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon.
Performing With Rahul Sharma on Santoor.
Performing With Bela Fleck on Banjo, Edgar Meyer on Double bass.
Performing with his Indian fusion band, Shakti.
Zakir Hussain & Rakesh Chaurasia on the bansuri.
interview: Bringing Tabla to the global stage .
--
Ricky Kej (3x grammy winner)
Shocked, deeply saddened and devastated by the passing-on of the legend Ustad Zakir Hussain . One of the greatest musicians and personalities India has ever produced. Along with being the best himself, Zakirji was known for his immense humility, approachable nature, and for being responsible for the careers of numerous musicians, who are now forces to reckon with themselves. He was a treasure trove of skill and knowledge and always shared and encouraged the entire music community through collaborations and his actions. His legacy will live on forever, and his influence will be felt for generations. He left us too soon.
Oh I don't listen to a ton of tabla music but I have seen him play as part of his Tabla Beat Science project with Bill Laswell. I saw them in San Francisco, but not the show that turned into the Live in San Francisco album. But I prefer Bimbo's 365 Club to Stern Grove.
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posted by aubilenon at 7:03 PM on December 15, 2024 [3 favorites]
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posted by aubilenon at 7:03 PM on December 15, 2024 [3 favorites]
I was lucky enough to see him play and speak at a small venue a couple of times, and can add “dry wit” to the long list of things he was extremely good at.
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posted by doubtfulpalace at 7:26 PM on December 15, 2024 [2 favorites]
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posted by doubtfulpalace at 7:26 PM on December 15, 2024 [2 favorites]
Wonderful music. Thanks for posting this.
posted by missinformation at 7:38 PM on December 15, 2024
posted by missinformation at 7:38 PM on December 15, 2024
One of the finest musicians I have ever had the privilege to see live. Just an absolute legend and a beast on the tabla. 73 is so young, too! Heart-breaking.
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posted by Saxon Kane at 7:39 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by Saxon Kane at 7:39 PM on December 15, 2024 [1 favorite]
I saw him play a couple of times. Thank you, Zakir.
posted by neuromodulator at 7:48 PM on December 15, 2024
posted by neuromodulator at 7:48 PM on December 15, 2024
I was shocked to learn that he only appeared once with the full Grateful Dead lineup back on 8-8-82 (notably on "Drums"/"Space"). I guess I just assumed that he would pop up more often given his omnipresence on Mickey Hart's solo projects. R.I.P.
posted by HunterFelt at 9:20 PM on December 15, 2024
posted by HunterFelt at 9:20 PM on December 15, 2024
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posted by mikelieman at 3:07 AM on December 16, 2024
posted by mikelieman at 3:07 AM on December 16, 2024
I was fortunate to see him 3 times and each time was amazing, such a wonderful talent.
posted by bannana at 3:13 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by bannana at 3:13 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
I heard him play live many years ago (in the 1990s, at the Painted Bride in Philadelphia). It was transporting in the truest sense of the word: the energy of his music seemed to vibrate the whole room into another, exquisite dimension of existence. No small thing!
I'm grateful to him for sharing that with me and with everyone.
A virtuoso, a powerhouse, an amplifier of the liveness of the world.
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posted by marlys at 8:30 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
I'm grateful to him for sharing that with me and with everyone.
A virtuoso, a powerhouse, an amplifier of the liveness of the world.
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posted by marlys at 8:30 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
Dang…I’ve seen him a couple of times, most recently last September with the Shakti 50th anniversary tour. He looked noticeably gaunt but he still smiled That Smile while his fingers did impossible things.
🎵
posted by foonly at 9:56 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
🎵
posted by foonly at 9:56 AM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
RIP to a legend. I can't recall if he was involved with Karsh Kale's tour sometime in the early-00s, but I remember picking up Tabla Beat Science's Tala Matrix in 2000 from a record store (the same trip I think I picked up Momus' Little Red Songbook, which was another "banger").
At this time I was very curious about the Tabla, and even wanted to buy a pair/set idk the term. My friend's wife got him some Tablas as a gift during this time.
While he was always in these groups, I don't think I took note of him as an individual until my friend gave me a copy of an EP (?) of his. I lost that disc, but looking at his history, man. He's worked with a lot of greats I like - McLaughlin, Bill Laswell, Karsh Kale, etc... I knew about the latter 2, but no idea that he did work with John McLaughlin.
Really fucking great, and pour one out for sure.
posted by symbioid at 2:20 PM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
At this time I was very curious about the Tabla, and even wanted to buy a pair/set idk the term. My friend's wife got him some Tablas as a gift during this time.
While he was always in these groups, I don't think I took note of him as an individual until my friend gave me a copy of an EP (?) of his. I lost that disc, but looking at his history, man. He's worked with a lot of greats I like - McLaughlin, Bill Laswell, Karsh Kale, etc... I knew about the latter 2, but no idea that he did work with John McLaughlin.
Really fucking great, and pour one out for sure.
posted by symbioid at 2:20 PM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
I saw Zakir Hussein perform in New Delhi in 1995. Before his performance, a master tabla teacher and his students performed. They played competently, but there was no joy at all, as if they were focused only on playing competently. Zakir Hussein was accompanied with an expert ghatam (clay pot drum) player, and the joy had performing together was infectious.
posted by ShooBoo at 5:52 PM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by ShooBoo at 5:52 PM on December 16, 2024 [1 favorite]
I saw him several times, but each time felt like the first time, because his virtuosity was so exemplary that it constantly surprised and engaged. There are some professional tabla in my basement, procured as a gift for my nesting partner after I brought him to see Zakir for his first and only time, (he was so moved, he thought it might become his new hobby). Perhaps it's time to pull them out into the light of day. My condolences to his family and legions of friends around the globe. Truly, he reached thousands.
posted by foxtongue at 8:39 PM on December 17, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by foxtongue at 8:39 PM on December 17, 2024 [1 favorite]
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