Shakti NPR Tiny Desk Concert (2023)

Here is Hussain reuniting with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin for their project Shakti at NPR’s Tiny Desk.

NPR’s Felix Contreras says:

“It's hard to get past the significance of this performance by the Indian jazz fusion band, Shakti. Initially formed in 1973 by jazz guitarist John McLaughlin with virtuoso traditional Indian musicians, the band opened the doors for others to expand their musical appreciation beyond Western music. 50 years later, as guitarist McLaughlin reunites with tabla player Zakir Hussain to take Shakti on another world tour, the group stopped by for a magically inspiring performance behind the Tiny Desk.”

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Setlist:

1. "Shrini's Dream"

2. "Lotus Feet"

3. "Bending the Rules"

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Players:

• John McLaughlin: guitar

• Zakir Hussain: tabla

• Selvaganesh Vinayakaram: kanjira, ghatam

• Shankar Mahadevan: vocals

• Ganesh Rajagopalan: violin

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• Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

• Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

• Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

• Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

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Diga Rhythm Band with Jerry Garcia at Golden Gate Park 5/30/75

One of the many projects Hussain was involved in was the percussion ensemble Diga Rhythm Band alongside the Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart. Here they are performing at Golden Gate Park 05/30/75 with Jerry Garcia sitting in.

This recording is audio only but it’s well worth your attention. Trust me.

Heads will find the last track of particular interest.

Enjoy.

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Setlist:

1. Sweet Sixteen

2. Speech by Zakir Hussain

3. Freeform

4. Happiness Is Drumming (aka Fire On The Mountain)

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• Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

• Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

• Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

• Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

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Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (2010)

As we continue to mourn Zakir Hussain, we also celebrate his life and legacy through the wonderful music he left us. Wildly innovative and a master of his craft Hussain often collaborated with unlikely partners, blending musical styles.

One of his better known cross-genre projects was with Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer. The trio stopped by the NPR studios for a Tiny Desk performance in 2010.

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Setlist:

1. "Bubbles"

2. "Bahar"

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• Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

• Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

• Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

• Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

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Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland Live as Crosscurrents

Remembering Zakir Hussain, here he is with Dave Holland on bass, a jazz band including Chris Potter on saxophone, Bollywood vocal star Shankar Mahadevan, and Mumbai-based jazz guitarist Sanjay Divecha among others.

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Setlist:

1. "Radhe Rani"

2. "Hope"

3. "Shadows"

4. "Rama Rama"

5. "Doors"

6. "Solace"

7. "Finding The Light"

8. "Encounter / Breathless"

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• Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

• Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

• Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

• Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

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Zakir Hussain & Rakesh Chaurasia at ICE Kraków 08.07.2015

Thanks to my friend Alex for the tip on this 2015 live set featuring Zakir Hussain on tabla, percussion instruments and Rakesh Chaurasia playing bansouri.

The video’s page gives the following info:

“ZAKIR HUSSAIN is undoubtedly one of the greatest legends of world music, virtuoso of the tabla, and artist who tours and records with many other acclaimed musicians, including those form the world of jazz. His father was the famous musician Ustad Alla Rakha. Thanks to his father, Zakir learned to play musical instruments from his youngest days. He started performing as a teenager, and when he was 19 years old, he travelled to the US for the first time, appearing alongside Ravi Shankar. Audiences remember Hussain’s acclaimed albums, especially “Making Music” recorded for the famous ECM label. It is regarded as one of the finest musical fusions of the East and the West. Hussain was accompanied by John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek and the legendary Hariprasad Chaurasia – uncle of Rakesh, who joins Hussain in Kraków. Hussain has worked with McLaughlin many times, for example when creating recordings with his groups Shakti and Remember Shakti. He also worked alongside Bill Laswell, leading the group Tabla Beat Science bringing together acclaimed tablists and percussionists. He has also co-created the outstanding projects Planete Drum and Global Drum, and worked with some of the greatest musicians of all time, from George Harrison and Van Morrison to Pharoah Sanders and Charles Lloyd. He is a living legend himself.

RAKESH CHAURASIA is more than just a nephew of Hariprasad Chaurasia – he is also one of his most talented pupils. He plays the bansouri, a traditional South Asian bamboo flute. He has worked with musicians including Talvin Singh, participated in recording dozens of albums, and he leads the RAF ensemble – Rakesh and Friends. Recorded at ICE Kraków 08.07.2015.”

• Visit Zakir Hussain’s official website

• Follow Zakir Hussain on Facebook

• Purchase Zakir Hussain’s music at Amazon

• Listen to “Raga Kedar: Gat In Ektaal” by Pandit Shivkumar Sharma & Ustad Zakir Hussain on Episode 17 of the Global Elite Music Radio Podcast Superhsow.

• Visit Rakesh Chaurasia’s official website

• Follow Rakesh Chaurasia at Facebook

• Purchase Rakesh Chaurasia’s music at Amazon