Vinyl Vault - Remembering Zakir Hussain
On the Christmas Eve edition of the Vinyl Vault, we’ll look back on the career of tabla master Zakir Hussain whom we lost on December 15, 2024 at age 73. We’ll hear vinyl tracks from two of the most prominent bands that included Hussian, Shakti and the Diga Rhythm Band.
Hussain was the son of tabla master Alla Rakha, who spent significant time with Ravi Shankar. Both Alla Rakha and Hussain are widely considered two of the greatest tabla players ever. Hussain took his talents to the United States and played in a wide variety of musical contexts and, ultimately, pushed the boundaries of World Music. During his life, he won four Grammys.
Shakti was formed over 50 years ago, prominently featuring guitarist John McLaughlin along with Hussain and other Indian musicians. The band was most active in the late 1970s, but periodically reformed for tours and additional albums. The Diga Rhythm Band was a one-off ensemble formed by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead. Hussain’s association with Hart continued through the years including work in Hart’s project Planet Drum.
Over the years, Hussain worked with a diverse array of musicians including George Harrison, John Handy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Ravi Shankar, Jan Garbarek, Pat Martino, Pharoah Sanders, George Brooks, Charles Lloyd, Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Dave Holland, Chris Potter, and many others.
Join Geoff Anderson for this vinyl tribute to Zakir Hussain on the Vinyl Vault, this Tuesday at 8:30 on KUVO/kuvo.org.
For more information about the Vinyl Vault, click HERE.
