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About Moment! Records

Moment Records… a powerful catalog of classical and fusion performances. ~ Jazziz

Moment! Records was founded in 1991 by Zakir Hussain with a mission to record and present great moments from performances of the classical music of India and contemporary world music. Our extensive catalog of CDs and DVDs showcases the finest of these genres. Indian classical music, which is based on improvisation, spontaneity and a refined concept of the relation between performer and audience, has certain demands all its own. It is our mission to capture and present this music to you in its purest form.

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The pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso of our time, Zakir Hussain is appreciated as one of the world’s greatest and most influential musicians, one whose mastery of his percussion instrument has taken it to a new level, transcending cultures and national borders. Along with his legendary father and teacher, Ustad Allarakha, he has elevated the status of the tabla both in India and around the world. Esteemed as a groundbreaking collaborator, composer, educator and cultural ambassador, he has made an extraordinary impact on the music world as he continues to inspire the next generation of artists.

Rakesh Chaurasia is a brilliant and innovative exponent of the bansuri, a side-blown bamboo flute originating from the Indian subcontinent. His playing, informed by a detailed study of vocal technique, has been hailed as enchanting and mesmerizing. With a powerful imagination and prodigious ability, he has experimented with music across many genres; however, his eclectic performance history is rooted in impeccable training in the classical tradition. His style follows in the footsteps of his iconic Guru and uncle, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, as well as the illustrious lineage of the Maihar gharana. His performances are graced with an astounding technique blessed with amazing breath control, pristine tone, exquisite runs and a joyful and witty playfulness which have brought him widespread acclaim and popularity.

“It is with great joy that I present on my label, Moment Records, this concert recording of myself with the amazing flautist Rakesh Chaurasia. We have been playing together for several years, in a few different formats, and I have always found our concerts to be uniquely fresh. I have happily experienced each concert to be different from the last and our musical conversation filled with rhythmic and harmonic exploration. Having played for decades with his uncle, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, I eagerly look forward to Rakesh’s considerable talents blossoming and evolving into all-time greatness.” -Zakir Hussain

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A groundbreaking recording six years in the making, with trailblazing guitarist John McLaughlin, India’s foremost music composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, brings the three visionary musicians together in a musical landscape heretofore unexplored.

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“I’m so lucky to have these great musicians come to join me. It’s like throwing a party and having my friends meet my other friends, and seeing what takes place –that’s the excitement and challenge that I’m enjoying.” ~ Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain • The SFJazz Sessions • Total Time 3:00:22
This DVD tells the story of four extraordinary nights (and days) showcasing the formidable talents and genre-bending collaborations of peerless tabla virtuoso/percussionist/composer Zakir Hussain, in concert with some of his favorite musicians. Filmed and recorded in March, 2013, during the historic inaugural season of The San Francisco Jazz Center, these sessions highlight the consummate virtuosity and improvisational genius of one of the world’s greatest musicians and the easy, personable charisma which have made Zakir an international celebrity. The presentation of the music is interwoven with insightful interviews, personal commentary and intimate glimpses of life, offstage and backstage, of the phenomenal artists who came together during the sessions.
With Bela Fleck, banjo • Edgar Meyer, bass • Steve Smith, drums • Giovanni Hidalgo, conga • Eric Harland, drums • Ganesh Rajagopalan, violin • Rakesh Chaurasia, flute • Niladri Kumar, sitar • George Brooks, saxophone • Antonia Minnecola, Kathak dance • Molly Holm, vocal • Dana Pandey, tabla • Osam Ezzeldin, keyboard • Sanket Acharya, tabla • Salar Nader, tabla.

Mixdown Engineer: Mujeeb Dadarkar • Edited by Jake Richmond and George Rosenfeld.

Directed by Anisa Qureshi and Taylor Phillips – A Moment Records and Route 66 AR Production

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“I’m so lucky to have these great musicians come to join me. It’s like throwing a party and having my friends meet my other friends, and seeing what takes place –that’s the excitement and challenge that I’m enjoying.” ~ Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain • The SFJazz Sessions • Total Time 3:00:22
This DVD tells the story of four extraordinary nights (and days) showcasing the formidable talents and genre-bending collaborations of peerless tabla virtuoso/percussionist/composer Zakir Hussain, in concert with some of his favorite musicians. Filmed and recorded in March, 2013, during the historic inaugural season of The San Francisco Jazz Center, these sessions highlight the consummate virtuosity and improvisational genius of one of the world’s greatest musicians and the easy, personable charisma which have made Zakir an international celebrity. The presentation of the music is interwoven with insightful interviews, personal commentary and intimate glimpses of life, offstage and backstage, of the phenomenal artists who came together during the sessions.

With Bela Fleck, banjo • Edgar Meyer, bass • Steve Smith, drums • Giovanni Hidalgo, conga • Eric Harland, drums • Ganesh Rajagopalan, violin • Rakesh Chaurasia, flute • Niladri Kumar, sitar • George Brooks, saxophone • Antonia Minnecola, Kathak dance • Molly Holm, vocal • Dana Pandey, tabla • Osam Ezzeldin, keyboard • Sanket Acharya, tabla • Salar Nader, tabla.

Mixdown Engineer: Mujeeb Dadarkar • Edited by Jake Richmond and George Rosenfeld.

Directed by Anisa Qureshi and Taylor Phillips – A Moment Records and Route 66 AR Production

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TRACKS:
Naubat
Zakir Hussain, Steve Smith, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eric Harland
Aarambh
Ganesh Rajagopalan (featured), Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar
Paysh
Eric Harland & Zakir Hussain
Bahar (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Rakesh Chaurasia
Rapt, No Strings (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Antonia Minnecola, George Brooks, Molly Holm, Osam Ezzeldin, Dana Pandey, Sanket Acharya, Salar Nader
Bubbles (Bela Fleck)
Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain
Saath
Niladri Kumar (featured), Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Rakesh Chaurasia
Zquinto
Giovanni Hidalgo & Zakir Hussain
Rapt, No Strings Part 2 (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Antonia Minnecola, George Brooks, Molly Holm, Osam Ezzeldin, Dana Pandey, Sanket Acharya, Salar Nader
Sangat
Rakesh Chaurasia (featured), Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Niladri Kumar
Taalkonakol
Steve Smith & Zakir Hussain
Karvan
Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar

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TRACKS:
Naubat
Zakir Hussain, Steve Smith, Giovanni Hidalgo, Eric Harland
Aarambh
Ganesh Rajagopalan (featured), Zakir Hussain, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar
Paysh
Eric Harland & Zakir Hussain
Bahar (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Bela Fleck, Rakesh Chaurasia
Rapt, No Strings (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Antonia Minnecola, George Brooks, Molly Holm, Osam Ezzeldin, Dana Pandey, Sanket Acharya, Salar Nader
Bubbles (Bela Fleck)
Bela Fleck, Edgar Meyer, Zakir Hussain
Saath
Niladri Kumar (featured), Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Rakesh Chaurasia
Zquinto
Giovanni Hidalgo & Zakir Hussain
Rapt, No Strings Part 2 (Zakir Hussain)
Zakir Hussain, Antonia Minnecola, George Brooks, Molly Holm, Osam Ezzeldin, Dana Pandey, Sanket Acharya, Salar Nader
Sangat
Rakesh Chaurasia (featured), Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Niladri Kumar
Taalkonakol
Steve Smith & Zakir Hussain
Karvan
Zakir Hussain, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Rakesh Chaurasia, Niladri Kumar

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The Speaking Hand

The Speaking Hand, a 104-minute documentary on Zakir shot in the early 90’s, is now available for download for the first time! It includes interviews with Ustad Allarakha, Zakir’s family, Ravi Shankar and Shivkumar Sharma. With performances of Zakir accompanying Rais Khansahib and a rare jugalbandi with Pandit Jasraj and Hariprasad Chaurasia.

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“At Moment Records we feel that, by recording live performances with innovative, state of the art techniques, we are faithfully presenting the experience of the world’s greatest music!”

Moment! Records – the finest in contemporary world music and the classical music of india

“At Moment Records we feel that, by recording live performances with innovative, state of the art techniques, we are faithfully presenting the experience of the world’s greatest music!”

Moment! Records – the finest in contemporary world music and the classical music of india

Zakir Hussain — Distant Kin

with: Jean-Michel Veillon, Charlie McKerron, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Fraser Fifield, Rakesh Chaurasia, Tony Byrne, Patsy Reid, John Joe Kelly

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In January, 2011, Zakir Hussain traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, to conduct a week-long collaboration between Indian and Celtic musicians. For those involved, it was as if long-lost cousins had been discovered as they enjoyed sharing melodies with similar scales and songs steeped in romance and myth.

For Zakir, the experience brought back early childhood memories of music played in the streets of Bombay at festival times, a hybrid music formed during the British Raj and very different from the classical tradition he was learning at home.

Eager to continue the musical discovery and camaraderie, Zakir led a tour in Spring, 2015, ending with two nights in early April at San Francisco’s SFJazz Center. This recording contains selections from those concerts.

Track List:
1. Jig O’ Beer & Chai
2. Celnataka
3. Trinkamp/Tajir
4. Waterman’s
5. The Baby Tune
6. Michael’s Matches/Rakesh’s Bansi
7. Watergirl and Then Some
Encore: Making Music Revisited

“…a project that brings together some of India’s greatest musicians with a brilliant cast of players from across the Celtic world.”
– San Jose Mercury News

Zakir Hussain – Best Percussionist:
2015 Downbeat Magazine Critics’ Poll
2015 Modern Drummer Readers’ Poll

Zakir Hussain — Distant Kin

with: Jean-Michel Veillon, Charlie McKerron, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Fraser Fifield, Rakesh Chaurasia, Tony Byrne, Patsy Reid, John Joe Kelly

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iTunes

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In January, 2011, Zakir Hussain traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, to conduct a week-long collaboration between Indian and Celtic musicians. For those involved, it was as if long-lost cousins had been discovered as they enjoyed sharing melodies with similar scales and songs steeped in romance and myth.

For Zakir, the experience brought back early childhood memories of music played in the streets of Bombay at festival times, a hybrid music formed during the British Raj and very different from the classical tradition he was learning at home.

Eager to continue the musical discovery and camaraderie, Zakir led a tour in Spring, 2015, ending with two nights in early April at San Francisco’s SFJazz Center. This recording contains selections from those concerts.

Track List:
1. Jig O’ Beer & Chai
2. Celnataka
3. Trinkamp/Tajir
4. Waterman’s
5. The Baby Tune
6. Michael’s Matches/Rakesh’s Bansi
7. Watergirl and Then Some
Encore: Making Music Revisited

“…a project that brings together some of India’s greatest musicians with a brilliant cast of players from across the Celtic world.”
– San Jose Mercury News

Zakir Hussain – Best Percussionist:
2015 Downbeat Magazine Critics’ Poll
2015 Modern Drummer Readers’ Poll

History – Legacy

History
Moment! Records was founded in 1991 by tabla maestro and world music legend Zakir Hussain. We are proud of a catalog which includes audiophile-quality concert recordings of the great contemporary classical masters of India, including Ravi Shankar’s Concert for Peace, along with The Best of Shakti (Zakir’s milestone band with guitar great John McLaughlin), Masters of Percussion, Zakir Hussain & The Rhythm Experience and saxophonist/composer George Brooks’ critically acclaimed Lasting Impression and Night Spinner.

Legacy
Before the advent of the concert hall in India, music, which had its origins in the temple, was played at court or in even smaller chambers, and it is this intimacy that is reflected in the philosophy toward the evocation of rasa or mood. We at Moment Records feel that, by recording live performances with innovative, state of the art techniques, we are faithfully presenting the experience of this great music. Moment Records is dedicated to recording this quality of performance in both genres, using advanced technology.

Zakir Hussain is today appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon and one of the greatest musicians of our time. A classical tabla virtuoso of the highest order, his consistently brilliant and exciting performances have established him as a national treasure in his own country, India, and as one of India’s reigning cultural ambassadors. Along with his legendary father and teacher, Ustad Allarakha, he has elevated the status of his instrument both in India and around the world. 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, Remember Shakti, the Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland, and recordings and performances with artists as diverse as George Harrison, YoYo Ma, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, Mark Morris, Rennie Harris, and the Kodo drummers. His music and extraordinary contribution to the music world were honored in April, 2009, with four widely-heralded and sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall’s Artist Perspective series.

The recipient of countless honors, Zakir has received the titles of Padma Vibhushan in 2023, Padma Bhushan in 2002, and Padma Shri in 1988, becoming the youngest percussionist to be awarded these, given to civilians of merit, by the Indian government. In 1990, he was awarded the Indo-American Award in recognition for his outstanding cultural contribution to USA-India relations. In April 1991, he was presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India, making him one of the youngest musicians to receive this recognition from India’s governing cultural institute. In 2007, readers’ polls from both Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines named him Best World Music and Best Worldbeat Drummer respectively. On February 8, 2009, Zakir received a Grammy in the Best Contemporary World Music category for Global Drum Project, his group with Mickey Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo and Sikiru Adepoju. Also, in 2009, Zakir was named an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters by France’s Ministry of Culture and Communication for his extraordinary artistic and cultural contribution. The Downbeat Critics’ Poll named him Best Percussionist in 2012.

A child prodigy, Zakir was touring by the age of twelve. Zakir came to the United States in 1970, performing his first concert at the Fillmore East in New York City with Pandit Ravi Shankar, embarking on an illustrious international career. A prolific composer and recording artist, Zakir has received widespread recognition for his many ensembles and collaborations. In 1987, his first solo release, Making Music, was acclaimed as “one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded.” In 1992, Planet Drum, an album co-created and produced by Zakir and Mickey Hart, became the first recording to win a Grammy in the Best World Music category, the Downbeat Critics’ Poll for Best World Beat Album and the NARM Indie Best Seller Award for World Music Recording.

Zakir received the distinct honor of co-composing the opening music for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, 1996. He was commissioned to compose music for Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet (for which he received an Isadora Duncan Award), and to compose an original work for the San Francisco Jazz Festival, both in 1998. He has received numerous grants, including participation in the Meet the Composer programs funded by the Pew Memorial Trust. In 2000, Zakir worked again with choreographer Alonzo King, this time composing music for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2002, his commissioned work for choreographer Mark Morris’ “Kolam” premiered as part of YoYo Ma’s “Silk Road Project” with YoYo Ma and Zakir performing together live for the performance. In September 2006, Triple Concerto for Banjo, Bass and Tabla, a piece co-composed by Zakir, Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck, was performed by them with the Nashville Symphony at the gala opening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville. In January, 2009, it was re-created with the Detroit Symphony, again under the baton of Leonard Slatkin. This performance and new original works composed by Zakir, Edgar and Bela, was released as The Melody of Rhythm in 2009. Zakir’s second concerto, Concerto for Four Soloists, a special commission for the National Symphony Orchestra, was performed at Kennedy Center in March, 2011, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.

Zakir reunited with Alonzo King in 2007, for Lines Ballet’s 25th anniversary celebration, creating acclaimed music for King’s new work, Rasa, and has recently scored for King’s Scheherazade which premiered in Monte Carlo in December 2009. In 2007, the government of India chose Zakir to compose an anthem to celebrate India’s 60th year of independence. The song, “Jai Hind”, has been recorded by an array of India’s finest classical vocalists and pop singers.

Zakir has scored for many films, including Merchant-Ivory’s Heat and Dust (in which he also co-starred), In Custody and Mystic Masseur; Bertolucci’s Little Buddha, Vanaprastham (The Last Dance), Saaz, Everybody Says I’m Fine, and Mr. And Mrs. Iyer.

Zakir is the recipient of the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, the United States’ most prestigious honor for a master in the traditional arts, presented by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the United States Senate on September 28, 1999. In 2005, he was named an Old Dominion Fellow by the Humanities Council at Princeton University, where he resided for the 2005-2006 autumn semester as full professor in the music department, teaching a survey course in Indian classical music and dance. In the spring of 2007, this course was taught again by Zakir, this time at Stanford University. Zakir’s yearly tabla workshop in Marin County, conducted for the past twenty years, draws hundreds of serious students and performers.

In 1992, Zakir founded Moment! Records which features original collaborations in the field of contemporary world music and live concert performances by great masters of the classical music of India. The label presents Zakir’s own world percussion ensemble, The Rhythm Experience, North and South Indian classical recordings, Best of Shakti and a Masters of Percussion series. Moment Records’ 2006 release, Golden Strings of the Sarode with Aashish Khan and Zakir Hussain, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music category for that year. www.zakirhussain.com

Once in a great while, there emerges a musician who, through his genius, injects that certain spark necessary to elevate an instrument to another level of expression and appreciation. For tabla, Ustad Allarakha was such an artist, having brought his instrument a stature and respect never before enjoyed. A disciple of Mian Kader Baksh, the great guru of the Punjab gharana, Ustad Allarakha was, in his lifetime, the most celebrated exponent of this style.

Ustad Allarakha was born in 1919 in Phagwal, a small village in Jammu, the eldest son in a family of seven brothers. From his childhood, it was clear that he was special.

Though his family were all soldiers and farmers, his interests lay elsewhere. For hours he would watch the travelling natak company perform their dramas, especially interested in the tabla player performing with the company. At other times, he would sit by the river, seeing a face on the water, and a voice inside him would tell him to seek this man out. This inner voice, at the age of eleven, led him to Lahore where he met the man with the face in his dreams. Mian Kader Baksh then became his guru and began his formal training in the art of tabla playing.

Soon the young Allarakha became the toast of every musical gathering in town and was offered a post at All India Radio, Lahore, where he worked for six years, after which he was transferred to Delhi and then to Bombay. Since Allarakha had also received extensive vocal training from the legendary Patiala guru, Ustad Aashiq Ali Khan, he arrived in Bombay prepared in both the rhythmic and melodic aspects of music.

In Bombay, his talent as a composer brought him in touch with the film world where he scored music for over twenty-five films with great success. He had many silver jubilee hits like “Maa Baap”, “Ghar Ki Laaj”, “Sabak”, “Sati Anusuya”, “Khandan”, “Madari”, “Alam Ara”, “Jagga”, “Bewafa” and many others. This, however, did not take him away from his tabla. He continued performing in major festivals all across the country and eventually chose to give up films and exclusively pursue his classical career. As an accompanist, he enjoyed a rare versatility, being equally at home with vocal music, instrumental music, Kathak dance, and as a soloist. His thirty-year association with Pandit Ravi Shankar was well known for its hallmark accomplishment of bringing Hindustani music to the far corners of the world, receiving the highest accolades from audiences and critics abroad. His consistently brilliant performances made the tabla a familiar percussion instrument the world over.

As a performer, Ustad Allarakha was famous for his improvisations, his exceptional qualities of freshness and proportion, and his exquisite tone production effected by a technique which he continued to refine until his death. Moreover, he developed a playing style which is a virtual reference for tabla players of the present generation.

He was the recipient of many awards and titles including Padmashree, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Indo-American Achievement Award, the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar and a first-ever gold disc for a classical recording, to name but a few.

In 1985, he founded the Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music to train young tabla players in the tradition of the Punjab gharana. Also at this time, his duet performance, always popular in India, with son and chief disciple, Zakir Hussain, grew to international prominence with regular world tours. He toured worldwide with Zakir, and also in trio with his younger son Fazal Qureshi, until 1996, when he decided to limit his touring to India. For the last four years of his life, he concentrated on teaching and traveled often in India, usually to accept awards and appear at major classical festivals. His rapturous tabla solo performances still in demand, he continued to perform until the end of his life.

Ustad Allarakha died on February 3, 2000, truly one of the most pivotal and influential artists to have emerged from India in our time.

History – Legacy

History
Moment! Records was founded in 1991 by tabla maestro and world music legend Zakir Hussain. We are proud of a catalog which includes audiophile-quality concert recordings of the great contemporary classical masters of India, including Ravi Shankar’s Concert for Peace, along with The Best of Shakti (Zakir’s milestone band with guitar great John McLaughlin), Masters of Percussion, Zakir Hussain & The Rhythm Experience and saxophonist/composer George Brooks’ critically acclaimed Lasting Impression and Night Spinner.

Legacy
Before the advent of the concert hall in India, music, which had its origins in the temple, was played at court or in even smaller chambers, and it is this intimacy that is reflected in the philosophy toward the evocation of rasa or mood. We at Moment Records feel that, by recording live performances with innovative, state of the art techniques, we are faithfully presenting the experience of this great music. Moment Records is dedicated to recording this quality of performance in both genres, using advanced technology.

Zakir Hussain is today appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon and one of the greatest musicians of our time. A classical tabla virtuoso of the highest order, his consistently brilliant and exciting performances have established him as a national treasure in his own country, India, and as one of India’s reigning cultural ambassadors. Along with his legendary father and teacher, Ustad Allarakha, he has elevated the status of his instrument both in India and around the world. 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, Remember Shakti, the Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland, and recordings and performances with artists as diverse as George Harrison, YoYo Ma, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, Mark Morris, Rennie Harris, and the Kodo drummers. His music and extraordinary contribution to the music world were honored in April, 2009, with four widely-heralded and sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall’s Artist Perspective series.

The recipient of countless honors, Zakir has received the titles of Padma Bhushan, in 2002, and Padma Shri, in 1988, becoming the youngest percussionist to be awarded these, given to civilians of merit, by the Indian government. In 1990, he was awarded the Indo-American Award in recognition for his outstanding cultural contribution to USA-India relations. In April 1991, he was presented with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the President of India, making him one of the youngest musicians to receive this recognition from India’s governing cultural institute. In 2007, readers’ polls from both Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines named him Best World Music and Best Worldbeat Drummer respectively. On February 8, 2009, Zakir received a Grammy in the Best Contemporary World Music category for Global Drum Project, his group with Mickey Hart, Giovanni Hidalgo and Sikiru Adepoju. Also, in 2009, Zakir was named an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters by France’s Ministry of Culture and Communication for his extraordinary artistic and cultural contribution. The Downbeat Critics’ Poll named him Best Percussionist in 2012.

A child prodigy, Zakir was touring by the age of twelve. Zakir came to the United States in 1970, performing his first concert at the Fillmore East in New York City with Pandit Ravi Shankar, embarking on an illustrious international career. A prolific composer and recording artist, Zakir has received widespread recognition for his many ensembles and collaborations. In 1987, his first solo release, Making Music, was acclaimed as “one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded.” In 1992, Planet Drum, an album co-created and produced by Zakir and Mickey Hart, became the first recording to win a Grammy in the Best World Music category, the Downbeat Critics’ Poll for Best World Beat Album and the NARM Indie Best Seller Award for World Music Recording.

Zakir received the distinct honor of co-composing the opening music for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta, 1996. He was commissioned to compose music for Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet (for which he received an Isadora Duncan Award), and to compose an original work for the San Francisco Jazz Festival, both in 1998. He has received numerous grants, including participation in the Meet the Composer programs funded by the Pew Memorial Trust. In 2000, Zakir worked again with choreographer Alonzo King, this time composing music for The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 2002, his commissioned work for choreographer Mark Morris’ “Kolam” premiered as part of YoYo Ma’s “Silk Road Project” with YoYo Ma and Zakir performing together live for the performance. In September 2006, Triple Concerto for Banjo, Bass and Tabla, a piece co-composed by Zakir, Edgar Meyer and Bela Fleck, was performed by them with the Nashville Symphony at the gala opening of the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall in Nashville. In January, 2009, it was re-created with the Detroit Symphony, again under the baton of Leonard Slatkin. This performance and new original works composed by Zakir, Edgar and Bela, was released as The Melody of Rhythm in 2009. Zakir’s second concerto, Concerto for Four Soloists, a special commission for the National Symphony Orchestra, was performed at Kennedy Center in March, 2011, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach.

Zakir reunited with Alonzo King in 2007, for Lines Ballet’s 25th anniversary celebration, creating acclaimed music for King’s new work, Rasa, and has recently scored for King’s Scheherazade which premiered in Monte Carlo in December 2009. In 2007, the government of India chose Zakir to compose an anthem to celebrate India’s 60th year of independence. The song, “Jai Hind”, has been recorded by an array of India’s finest classical vocalists and pop singers.

Zakir has scored for many films, including Merchant-Ivory’s Heat and Dust (in which he also co-starred), In Custody and Mystic Masseur; Bertolucci’s Little Buddha, Vanaprastham (The Last Dance), Saaz, Everybody Says I’m Fine, and Mr. And Mrs. Iyer.

Zakir is the recipient of the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, the United States’ most prestigious honor for a master in the traditional arts, presented by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton at the United States Senate on September 28, 1999. In 2005, he was named an Old Dominion Fellow by the Humanities Council at Princeton University, where he resided for the 2005-2006 autumn semester as full professor in the music department, teaching a survey course in Indian classical music and dance. In the spring of 2007, this course was taught again by Zakir, this time at Stanford University. Zakir’s yearly tabla workshop in Marin County, conducted for the past twenty years, draws hundreds of serious students and performers.

In 1992, Zakir founded Moment! Records which features original collaborations in the field of contemporary world music and live concert performances by great masters of the classical music of India. The label presents Zakir’s own world percussion ensemble, The Rhythm Experience, North and South Indian classical recordings, Best of Shakti and a Masters of Percussion series. Moment Records’ 2006 release, Golden Strings of the Sarode with Aashish Khan and Zakir Hussain, was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional World Music category for that year. www.zakirhussain.com

Once in a great while, there emerges a musician who, through his genius, injects that certain spark necessary to elevate an instrument to another level of expression and appreciation. For tabla, Ustad Allarakha was such an artist, having brought his instrument a stature and respect never before enjoyed. A disciple of Mian Kader Baksh, the great guru of the Punjab gharana, Ustad Allarakha was, in his lifetime, the most celebrated exponent of this style.

Ustad Allarakha was born in 1919 in Phagwal, a small village in Jammu, the eldest son in a family of seven brothers. From his childhood, it was clear that he was special.

Though his family were all soldiers and farmers, his interests lay elsewhere. For hours he would watch the travelling natak company perform their dramas, especially interested in the tabla player performing with the company. At other times, he would sit by the river, seeing a face on the water, and a voice inside him would tell him to seek this man out. This inner voice, at the age of eleven, led him to Lahore where he met the man with the face in his dreams. Mian Kader Baksh then became his guru and began his formal training in the art of tabla playing.

Soon the young Allarakha became the toast of every musical gathering in town and was offered a post at All India Radio, Lahore, where he worked for six years, after which he was transferred to Delhi and then to Bombay. Since Allarakha had also received extensive vocal training from the legendary Patiala guru, Ustad Aashiq Ali Khan, he arrived in Bombay prepared in both the rhythmic and melodic aspects of music.

In Bombay, his talent as a composer brought him in touch with the film world where he scored music for over twenty-five films with great success. He had many silver jubilee hits like “Maa Baap”, “Ghar Ki Laaj”, “Sabak”, “Sati Anusuya”, “Khandan”, “Madari”, “Alam Ara”, “Jagga”, “Bewafa” and many others. This, however, did not take him away from his tabla. He continued performing in major festivals all across the country and eventually chose to give up films and exclusively pursue his classical career. As an accompanist, he enjoyed a rare versatility, being equally at home with vocal music, instrumental music, Kathak dance, and as a soloist. His thirty-year association with Pandit Ravi Shankar was well known for its hallmark accomplishment of bringing Hindustani music to the far corners of the world, receiving the highest accolades from audiences and critics abroad. His consistently brilliant performances made the tabla a familiar percussion instrument the world over.

As a performer, Ustad Allarakha was famous for his improvisations, his exceptional qualities of freshness and proportion, and his exquisite tone production effected by a technique which he continued to refine until his death. Moreover, he developed a playing style which is a virtual reference for tabla players of the present generation.

He was the recipient of many awards and titles including Padmashree, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Indo-American Achievement Award, the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar and a first-ever gold disc for a classical recording, to name but a few.

In 1985, he founded the Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music to train young tabla players in the tradition of the Punjab gharana. Also at this time, his duet performance, always popular in India, with son and chief disciple, Zakir Hussain, grew to international prominence with regular world tours. He toured worldwide with Zakir, and also in trio with his younger son Fazal Qureshi, until 1996, when he decided to limit his touring to India. For the last four years of his life, he concentrated on teaching and traveled often in India, usually to accept awards and appear at major classical festivals. His rapturous tabla solo performances still in demand, he continued to perform until the end of his life.

Ustad Allarakha died on February 3, 2000, truly one of the most pivotal and influential artists to have emerged from India in our time.

Catalog

We believe our catalog speaks for itself. Browse our CDs and DVDs below.

iTunes

MR- 1001: Tabla Duet – Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet Ramesh Misra – Sarangi Lehara Tabla Duet in Tintal :: 67:37 An electrifying tabla duet performance in Tintal by the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha and his illustrious son, Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1002: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Vocal – A.G. Bandopadhayaya – Tabla. Shuddh Kalyan :: 37:03; Dadra :: 17:18; Bhajan :: 12:01 The celebrated vocalist of the Kirana gharana sings Raga Shuddh Kalyan, a Dadra in Raga Khammaj and Bhajans in Sindh Bhairavi. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1003: Pandit V.G. Jog Violin – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Jog :: 57:44; Rag Rageshri :: 19:07 The irrepressible violin maestro renders Raga Jog in Jhaptal and Tintal and Raga Rageshri in Keharwa and Tintal in a memorable concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1004: Girija Devi Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Puriya Kalyan :: 33:41 Tappa :: 5:03 Thumri :: 14:02 The doyenne of the Benares gharana displays the powerful diversity of her repertoire as she performs a bara khayal in Puriya Kalyan, a tappa in Desi Todi and a thumri in Misra Khammaj. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

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MR- 1005: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rags Pilu and Kirwani :: 46:05 Rag Khammaj – Ragmala – Dhun ::24:20 A masterful rendering of Ragas Pilu and Kirwani by the Senia gharana sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, followed by a Ragmala growing out of the evening raga Khammaj and ending with an enchanting Dhun. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1006: Ustad Sultan Khan Sarangi – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Bhupali :: 53:11 Rajasthani Folk Song :: 7:59 Ustad Sultan Khan masterfully and lyrically employs the entire range of his instrument, the sarangi, to present the evening raga Bhupali. He concludes the evening’s concert with a Rajasthani folk song in Bhup Mand. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

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MR- 1007: Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience – Balinese Fantasy (3:50) Lineage (4:57) Nines Over Easy (7:48) Rapanagatun (3:32) Triveni (6:56) Ryupak (4:13) Def and Drum (1:32) Rhythm Sonata in E Major (11:43) A world percussion ensemble that weaves the rhythms of India, Cuba, Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia into a repertoire which combines improvised exchanges with precise unison drumming. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Gordon Lyon

Purchase CD

MR- 1008: A Collection Volume I – A sampler of our first seven releases. Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet in Tintal: 10:36 Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – Vocal Rag Shuddh Kalyan: 9:18 Pandit V.G. Jog – Violin Rag Rageshri: 17:44 Girija Devi – Vocal Tappa: 5:03 Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod Rag Khammaj and Ragmala: 18:40 Ustad Sultan Khan – Sarangi Rag Bhupali: 7:06 Zakir Hussain and The Rhythm Experience: Balinese fantasy: 3:49 Rapanagatun: 3:34

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MR- 1009: Pandit Jasraj – Swapan Chaudhuri – Tabla Rag Hussaini Kanra :: 44:21; Bhajan :: 16:43 The foremost exponent of the Mewati gharana displays his extraordinary vocal range and musicianship in a bara khyal which develops from the rarely heard raga Hussaini Kanra to ragas Shahana and Bahar. The performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1010: Shivkumar Sharma – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Rageshri :: 76:48 Shivkumar and Zakir live — one of the great musical feasts of our generation! The enormously popular santoor pioneer performs raga Rageshri, displaying his amazing technical skill and musicianship. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Ram Ghoshalhe performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1012: Masters of Percussion – with Ustad Alla Rakha, Giovanni Hidalgo, Narada Michael Walden, Zakir Hussain and others Path of Two :: 5:48 A Quality of Seven :: 3:39 Pancham :: 7:33 Geezee :: 7:31 Adital Quartet :: 33:53 Tal Dhyan :: 7:26 Producer: Zakir Hussain Associate Producer: Ram Ghoshal Engineer: Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1013: Ravi Shankar Concert for Peace Ravi Shankar – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Partho Sarathy – Sarod Disc1: Raga Jait – Alap, Jor, Jhala :: 21:56 Gat in Rag Jait :: 8:08 Raga Kirwani – Slow and fast gats :: 27:32 Disc2: Raga Mishra Khammaj – Slow and fast Gats :: 55:23 Released in 1995 to celebrate Ravi Shankar’s 75th birthday at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Hailed by Billboard as the year’s best classical CD. Producer: Alan Kozlowski Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain, Ram Ghoshal

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MR- 1014: Lalgudi Jayaraman Violin – MR 1014 Lalgudi Jayaraman – Violin Violin Trio Zakir Hussain – Tabla Vellore Ramabhadran – Mrdangam Kriti in Raga Mohanam :: 56:44 Bhajan in Raga Pilu :: 5:11 Tillana in Raga Madhuvanthi :: 6:17 Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1015: Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna – Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla; T.H. Vinayakram – Ghatam; Mysore Nagarajan – Violin Kriti in Raga Lathangi :: 59:25; Tillana in Ragamalika :: 11:33 Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Taufiq Qureshi

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MR- 1016: Lasting Impression – George Brook – George Brooks – Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet Krishna Bhatt – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Taj Express :: 7:20 Days of Rain :: 9:36 Lasting Impression :: 8:43 Eagles Beak :: 7:45 Fallen Rose :: 11:31 Producers: George Brooks and Mike Marshall

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MR- 1017: Rashid Khan – Rashid Khan – Vocal, Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyaya – Tabla, Jyoti Goho – Harmonium. Rag Bageshri :: 49:26 Rag Kedar :: 18:54 Widely considered the finest young vocalist in the North Indian classical tradition, Rashid Khan renders Ragas Bageshri and Kedar.

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MR- 1018: Night Spinner – George Brooks – George Brooks: Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet – Zakir Hussain: Tabla, Dholak, Vocals – Jack Perla: Piano – Dave Belove: Bass – David Rokeach: Drums – Aashish Kahn: Sarod – Sultan Kahn: Sarangi – Tommy Kesecker: Vibes – Molly Holm: Vocals. The Esio Trot, Water Dance, Hymn, Night Spinner, In The Grotto, Looking East, Images, Romance, Midnight Meeting, The Light Never Leaves Your Eyes.

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MR- 1019: Amjad Ali Khan – Homage to Mother Teresa Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod Zakir Hussain – Tabla Raga Rageshwari Alap-Jor-Jhala Slow Gat in Jhaptal Medium Gat in Tintal Fast Gat in Ada Chautal Fast Gat in Tintal Total time: 69:38 Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1020: Eternal Light – Eternal Light Shankar – double violin, vocals, Zakir Hussain – tabla, T.H. Vinayakram – ghatam. Celebrating 25 years of performing together. Ragamalika (14:32) Ragam Kiravani (7:45) Tanam Kiravani (9:49) Pancha Nadai Pallavi Kiravani (15:15) Drum Solos/Pancha Nadai Pallavi (10:42) Total time: 58:18 Produced by Shankar Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1021: Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” presents the maestro’s own selections from some of his favorite tabla solos of the past several years. Total time: 62:09 Produced by Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1022: Golden Strings of the Sarode – Co-produced with Meyer Sound, this extraordinary CD presents one of the foremost sarodists of our time: Aashish Khan (the eldest son of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan). He presents both rare and popular raags, described in his authentic and moving liner notes. He is joined by his musical colleague Zakir Hussain on this audiophile-quality recording. Raag Lalita Gouri (14:18); Raag Bhimpalashree (21:12); Raag Mishra Bhairavi (21:25)

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MR- 1601: Zakir Hussain Presents: Masters of Percussion – Live in Concert (DVD) Price: $22.00 Zakir Hussain (tabla); Fazal Qureshi (tabla, kanjira); Taufiq Qureshi (percussion); Niladri Kumar (sitar); Abbos Kosimov (doyra); Ram Kishan (nagada); Dilshad Khan (sarangi); Vijay Chauhan (dholki); Meitei Pung Cholom Performing Troupe (the dancing drummers of Manipur) Recorded live in Albuquerque, 2008. This gathering of percussion players will captivate you and take you on a thrilling and wonderful musical journey

Purchase CD

MR- 2001: The Unforgettable Voice of Tony Bari – This is a re-release of “Moods Italo-Americano” previously recorded for and released on Tony Bari’s own label, Tru-Tone Recording, in the late 1950’s. In addition, there are three songs from 45 rpm records Tony Bari released. Producer: Antonia Minnecola Executive Producer: Angela Minnecola

Purchase CD

ABLX061: Is That So? (CD) Price: $15.00 Is That So?, a groundbreaking recording six years in the making, with trailblazing guitarist John McLaughlin, India’s foremost music composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, brings the three visionary musicians together in a musical landscape heretofore unexplored.

Purchase CD

Catalog

We believe our catalog speaks for itself. Browse our CDs and DVDs below.

iTunes

MR- 1001: Tabla Duet – Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet Ramesh Misra – Sarangi Lehara Tabla Duet in Tintal :: 67:37 An electrifying tabla duet performance in Tintal by the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha and his illustrious son, Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1002: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Vocal – A.G. Bandopadhayaya – Tabla. Shuddh Kalyan :: 37:03; Dadra :: 17:18; Bhajan :: 12:01 The celebrated vocalist of the Kirana gharana sings Raga Shuddh Kalyan, a Dadra in Raga Khammaj and Bhajans in Sindh Bhairavi. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1003: Pandit V.G. Jog Violin – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Jog :: 57:44; Rag Rageshri :: 19:07 The irrepressible violin maestro renders Raga Jog in Jhaptal and Tintal and Raga Rageshri in Keharwa and Tintal in a memorable concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1004: Girija Devi Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Puriya Kalyan :: 33:41 Tappa :: 5:03 Thumri :: 14:02 The doyenne of the Benares gharana displays the powerful diversity of her repertoire as she performs a bara khayal in Puriya Kalyan, a tappa in Desi Todi and a thumri in Misra Khammaj. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Purchase CD

MR- 1005: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rags Pilu and Kirwani :: 46:05 Rag Khammaj – Ragmala – Dhun ::24:20 A masterful rendering of Ragas Pilu and Kirwani by the Senia gharana sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, followed by a Ragmala growing out of the evening raga Khammaj and ending with an enchanting Dhun. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1006: Ustad Sultan Khan Sarangi – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Bhupali :: 53:11 Rajasthani Folk Song :: 7:59 Ustad Sultan Khan masterfully and lyrically employs the entire range of his instrument, the sarangi, to present the evening raga Bhupali. He concludes the evening’s concert with a Rajasthani folk song in Bhup Mand. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Purchase CD

MR- 1007: Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience – Balinese Fantasy (3:50) Lineage (4:57) Nines Over Easy (7:48) Rapanagatun (3:32) Triveni (6:56) Ryupak (4:13) Def and Drum (1:32) Rhythm Sonata in E Major (11:43) A world percussion ensemble that weaves the rhythms of India, Cuba, Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia into a repertoire which combines improvised exchanges with precise unison drumming. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Gordon Lyon

Purchase CD

MR- 1008: A Collection Volume I – A sampler of our first seven releases. Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet in Tintal: 10:36 Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – Vocal Rag Shuddh Kalyan: 9:18 Pandit V.G. Jog – Violin Rag Rageshri: 17:44 Girija Devi – Vocal Tappa: 5:03 Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod Rag Khammaj and Ragmala: 18:40 Ustad Sultan Khan – Sarangi Rag Bhupali: 7:06 Zakir Hussain and The Rhythm Experience: Balinese fantasy: 3:49 Rapanagatun: 3:34

Download

MR- 1009: Pandit Jasraj – Swapan Chaudhuri – Tabla Rag Hussaini Kanra :: 44:21; Bhajan :: 16:43 The foremost exponent of the Mewati gharana displays his extraordinary vocal range and musicianship in a bara khyal which develops from the rarely heard raga Hussaini Kanra to ragas Shahana and Bahar. The performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1010: Shivkumar Sharma – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Rageshri :: 76:48 Shivkumar and Zakir live — one of the great musical feasts of our generation! The enormously popular santoor pioneer performs raga Rageshri, displaying his amazing technical skill and musicianship. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Ram Ghoshalhe performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1012: Masters of Percussion – with Ustad Alla Rakha, Giovanni Hidalgo, Narada Michael Walden, Zakir Hussain and others Path of Two :: 5:48 A Quality of Seven :: 3:39 Pancham :: 7:33 Geezee :: 7:31 Adital Quartet :: 33:53 Tal Dhyan :: 7:26 Producer: Zakir Hussain Associate Producer: Ram Ghoshal Engineer: Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1013: Ravi Shankar Concert for Peace Ravi Shankar – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Partho Sarathy – Sarod Disc1: Raga Jait – Alap, Jor, Jhala :: 21:56 Gat in Rag Jait :: 8:08 Raga Kirwani – Slow and fast gats :: 27:32 Disc2: Raga Mishra Khammaj – Slow and fast Gats :: 55:23 Released in 1995 to celebrate Ravi Shankar’s 75th birthday at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Hailed by Billboard as the year’s best classical CD. Producer: Alan Kozlowski Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain, Ram Ghoshal

Purchase CD

MR- 1014: Lalgudi Jayaraman Violin – MR 1014 Lalgudi Jayaraman – Violin Violin Trio Zakir Hussain – Tabla Vellore Ramabhadran – Mrdangam Kriti in Raga Mohanam :: 56:44 Bhajan in Raga Pilu :: 5:11 Tillana in Raga Madhuvanthi :: 6:17 Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1015: Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna – Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla; T.H. Vinayakram – Ghatam; Mysore Nagarajan – Violin Kriti in Raga Lathangi :: 59:25; Tillana in Ragamalika :: 11:33 Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Taufiq Qureshi

Purchase CD

MR- 1016: Lasting Impression – George Brook – George Brooks – Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet Krishna Bhatt – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Taj Express :: 7:20 Days of Rain :: 9:36 Lasting Impression :: 8:43 Eagles Beak :: 7:45 Fallen Rose :: 11:31 Producers: George Brooks and Mike Marshall

Purchase CD

MR- 1017: Rashid Khan – Rashid Khan – Vocal, Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyaya – Tabla, Jyoti Goho – Harmonium. Rag Bageshri :: 49:26 Rag Kedar :: 18:54 Widely considered the finest young vocalist in the North Indian classical tradition, Rashid Khan renders Ragas Bageshri and Kedar.

Download

MR- 1018: Night Spinner – George Brooks – George Brooks: Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet – Zakir Hussain: Tabla, Dholak, Vocals – Jack Perla: Piano – Dave Belove: Bass – David Rokeach: Drums – Aashish Kahn: Sarod – Sultan Kahn: Sarangi – Tommy Kesecker: Vibes – Molly Holm: Vocals. The Esio Trot, Water Dance, Hymn, Night Spinner, In The Grotto, Looking East, Images, Romance, Midnight Meeting, The Light Never Leaves Your Eyes.

Purchase CD

MR- 1019: Amjad Ali Khan – Homage to Mother Teresa Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod Zakir Hussain – Tabla Raga Rageshwari Alap-Jor-Jhala Slow Gat in Jhaptal Medium Gat in Tintal Fast Gat in Ada Chautal Fast Gat in Tintal Total time: 69:38 Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

Purchase CD

MR- 1020: Eternal Light – Eternal Light Shankar – double violin, vocals, Zakir Hussain – tabla, T.H. Vinayakram – ghatam. Celebrating 25 years of performing together. Ragamalika (14:32) Ragam Kiravani (7:45) Tanam Kiravani (9:49) Pancha Nadai Pallavi Kiravani (15:15) Drum Solos/Pancha Nadai Pallavi (10:42) Total time: 58:18 Produced by Shankar Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

Purchase CD

MR- 1021: Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” presents the maestro’s own selections from some of his favorite tabla solos of the past several years. Total time: 62:09 Produced by Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

Purchase CD

MR- 1022: Golden Strings of the Sarode – Co-produced with Meyer Sound, this extraordinary CD presents one of the foremost sarodists of our time: Aashish Khan (the eldest son of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan). He presents both rare and popular raags, described in his authentic and moving liner notes. He is joined by his musical colleague Zakir Hussain on this audiophile-quality recording. Raag Lalita Gouri (14:18); Raag Bhimpalashree (21:12); Raag Mishra Bhairavi (21:25)

Purchase CD

MR- 1601: Zakir Hussain Presents: Masters of Percussion – Live in Concert (DVD) Price: $22.00 Zakir Hussain (tabla); Fazal Qureshi (tabla, kanjira); Taufiq Qureshi (percussion); Niladri Kumar (sitar); Abbos Kosimov (doyra); Ram Kishan (nagada); Dilshad Khan (sarangi); Vijay Chauhan (dholki); Meitei Pung Cholom Performing Troupe (the dancing drummers of Manipur) Recorded live in Albuquerque, 2008. This gathering of percussion players will captivate you and take you on a thrilling and wonderful musical journey

Purchase CD

MR- 2001: The Unforgettable Voice of Tony Bari – This is a re-release of “Moods Italo-Americano” previously recorded for and released on Tony Bari’s own label, Tru-Tone Recording, in the late 1950’s. In addition, there are three songs from 45 rpm records Tony Bari released. Producer: Antonia Minnecola Executive Producer: Angela Minnecola

Purchase CD

ABLX061: Is That So? (CD) Price: $15.00 Is That So?, a groundbreaking recording six years in the making, with trailblazing guitarist John McLaughlin, India’s foremost music composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, brings the three visionary musicians together in a musical landscape heretofore unexplored.

Purchase CD

Catalog

We believe our catalog speaks for itself. Browse our CDs and DVDs below.

iTunes

MR- 1001: Tabla Duet – Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet Ramesh Misra – Sarangi Lehara Tabla Duet in Tintal :: 67:37 An electrifying tabla duet performance in Tintal by the legendary Ustad Alla Rakha and his illustrious son, Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1002: Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Vocal – A.G. Bandopadhayaya – Tabla. Shuddh Kalyan :: 37:03; Dadra :: 17:18; Bhajan :: 12:01 The celebrated vocalist of the Kirana gharana sings Raga Shuddh Kalyan, a Dadra in Raga Khammaj and Bhajans in Sindh Bhairavi. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1003: Pandit V.G. Jog Violin – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Jog :: 57:44; Rag Rageshri :: 19:07 The irrepressible violin maestro renders Raga Jog in Jhaptal and Tintal and Raga Rageshri in Keharwa and Tintal in a memorable concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Download

MR- 1004: Girija Devi Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla. Rag Puriya Kalyan :: 33:41 Tappa :: 5:03 Thumri :: 14:02 The doyenne of the Benares gharana displays the powerful diversity of her repertoire as she performs a bara khayal in Puriya Kalyan, a tappa in Desi Todi and a thumri in Misra Khammaj. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Purchase CD

MR- 1005: Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rags Pilu and Kirwani :: 46:05 Rag Khammaj – Ragmala – Dhun ::24:20 A masterful rendering of Ragas Pilu and Kirwani by the Senia gharana sarod maestro, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, followed by a Ragmala growing out of the evening raga Khammaj and ending with an enchanting Dhun. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1006: Ustad Sultan Khan Sarangi – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Bhupali :: 53:11 Rajasthani Folk Song :: 7:59 Ustad Sultan Khan masterfully and lyrically employs the entire range of his instrument, the sarangi, to present the evening raga Bhupali. He concludes the evening’s concert with a Rajasthani folk song in Bhup Mand. Accompanied by Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Ram Ghoshal

Purchase CD

MR- 1007: Zakir Hussain and the Rhythm Experience – Balinese Fantasy (3:50) Lineage (4:57) Nines Over Easy (7:48) Rapanagatun (3:32) Triveni (6:56) Ryupak (4:13) Def and Drum (1:32) Rhythm Sonata in E Major (11:43) A world percussion ensemble that weaves the rhythms of India, Cuba, Africa, the Middle East and Indonesia into a repertoire which combines improvised exchanges with precise unison drumming. Producer: Zakir Hussain Engineer: Gordon Lyon

Purchase CD

MR- 1008: A Collection Volume I – A sampler of our first seven releases. Ustad Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain Tabla Duet in Tintal: 10:36 Pandit Bhimsen Joshi – Vocal Rag Shuddh Kalyan: 9:18 Pandit V.G. Jog – Violin Rag Rageshri: 17:44 Girija Devi – Vocal Tappa: 5:03 Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Sarod Rag Khammaj and Ragmala: 18:40 Ustad Sultan Khan – Sarangi Rag Bhupali: 7:06 Zakir Hussain and The Rhythm Experience: Balinese fantasy: 3:49 Rapanagatun: 3:34

Download

MR- 1009: Pandit Jasraj – Swapan Chaudhuri – Tabla Rag Hussaini Kanra :: 44:21; Bhajan :: 16:43 The foremost exponent of the Mewati gharana displays his extraordinary vocal range and musicianship in a bara khyal which develops from the rarely heard raga Hussaini Kanra to ragas Shahana and Bahar. The performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Download

MR- 1010: Shivkumar Sharma – Zakir Hussain – Tabla Rag Rageshri :: 76:48 Shivkumar and Zakir live — one of the great musical feasts of our generation! The enormously popular santoor pioneer performs raga Rageshri, displaying his amazing technical skill and musicianship. In concert with Zakir Hussain. Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Ram Ghoshalhe performance concludes with a bhajan in Bhairavi. Accompanied by Shri Swapan Chaudhuri. — Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

Purchase CD

MR- 1012: Masters of Percussion – with Ustad Alla Rakha, Giovanni Hidalgo, Narada Michael Walden, Zakir Hussain and others Path of Two :: 5:48 A Quality of Seven :: 3:39 Pancham :: 7:33 Geezee :: 7:31 Adital Quartet :: 33:53 Tal Dhyan :: 7:26 Producer: Zakir Hussain Associate Producer: Ram Ghoshal Engineer: Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1013: Ravi Shankar Concert for Peace Ravi Shankar – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Partho Sarathy – Sarod Disc1: Raga Jait – Alap, Jor, Jhala :: 21:56 Gat in Rag Jait :: 8:08 Raga Kirwani – Slow and fast gats :: 27:32 Disc2: Raga Mishra Khammaj – Slow and fast Gats :: 55:23 Released in 1995 to celebrate Ravi Shankar’s 75th birthday at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Hailed by Billboard as the year’s best classical CD. Producer: Alan Kozlowski Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain, Ram Ghoshal

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MR- 1014: Lalgudi Jayaraman Violin – MR 1014 Lalgudi Jayaraman – Violin Violin Trio Zakir Hussain – Tabla Vellore Ramabhadran – Mrdangam Kriti in Raga Mohanam :: 56:44 Bhajan in Raga Pilu :: 5:11 Tillana in Raga Madhuvanthi :: 6:17 Produced & Engineered by Zakir Hussain

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MR- 1015: Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna – Vocal – Zakir Hussain – Tabla; T.H. Vinayakram – Ghatam; Mysore Nagarajan – Violin Kriti in Raga Lathangi :: 59:25; Tillana in Ragamalika :: 11:33 Producer: Zakir Hussain ::: Engineer: Taufiq Qureshi

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MR- 1016: Lasting Impression – George Brook – George Brooks – Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet Krishna Bhatt – Sitar Zakir Hussain – Tabla Taj Express :: 7:20 Days of Rain :: 9:36 Lasting Impression :: 8:43 Eagles Beak :: 7:45 Fallen Rose :: 11:31 Producers: George Brooks and Mike Marshall

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MR- 1017: Rashid Khan – Rashid Khan – Vocal, Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyaya – Tabla, Jyoti Goho – Harmonium. Rag Bageshri :: 49:26 Rag Kedar :: 18:54 Widely considered the finest young vocalist in the North Indian classical tradition, Rashid Khan renders Ragas Bageshri and Kedar.

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MR- 1018: Night Spinner – George Brooks – George Brooks: Tenor & Soprano Sax, Bass Clarinet – Zakir Hussain: Tabla, Dholak, Vocals – Jack Perla: Piano – Dave Belove: Bass – David Rokeach: Drums – Aashish Kahn: Sarod – Sultan Kahn: Sarangi – Tommy Kesecker: Vibes – Molly Holm: Vocals. The Esio Trot, Water Dance, Hymn, Night Spinner, In The Grotto, Looking East, Images, Romance, Midnight Meeting, The Light Never Leaves Your Eyes.

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MR- 1019: Amjad Ali Khan – Homage to Mother Teresa Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod Zakir Hussain – Tabla Raga Rageshwari Alap-Jor-Jhala Slow Gat in Jhaptal Medium Gat in Tintal Fast Gat in Ada Chautal Fast Gat in Tintal Total time: 69:38 Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1020: Eternal Light – Eternal Light Shankar – double violin, vocals, Zakir Hussain – tabla, T.H. Vinayakram – ghatam. Celebrating 25 years of performing together. Ragamalika (14:32) Ragam Kiravani (7:45) Tanam Kiravani (9:49) Pancha Nadai Pallavi Kiravani (15:15) Drum Solos/Pancha Nadai Pallavi (10:42) Total time: 58:18 Produced by Shankar Executive Producers: Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1021: Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” Zakir Hussain’s “Selects” presents the maestro’s own selections from some of his favorite tabla solos of the past several years. Total time: 62:09 Produced by Zakir Hussain & Antonia Minnecola

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MR- 1022: Golden Strings of the Sarode – Co-produced with Meyer Sound, this extraordinary CD presents one of the foremost sarodists of our time: Aashish Khan (the eldest son of Maestro Ali Akbar Khan). He presents both rare and popular raags, described in his authentic and moving liner notes. He is joined by his musical colleague Zakir Hussain on this audiophile-quality recording. Raag Lalita Gouri (14:18); Raag Bhimpalashree (21:12); Raag Mishra Bhairavi (21:25)

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MR- 1601: Zakir Hussain Presents: Masters of Percussion – Live in Concert (DVD) Price: $22.00 Zakir Hussain (tabla); Fazal Qureshi (tabla, kanjira); Taufiq Qureshi (percussion); Niladri Kumar (sitar); Abbos Kosimov (doyra); Ram Kishan (nagada); Dilshad Khan (sarangi); Vijay Chauhan (dholki); Meitei Pung Cholom Performing Troupe (the dancing drummers of Manipur) Recorded live in Albuquerque, 2008. This gathering of percussion players will captivate you and take you on a thrilling and wonderful musical journey

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MR- 2001: The Unforgettable Voice of Tony Bari – This is a re-release of “Moods Italo-Americano” previously recorded for and released on Tony Bari’s own label, Tru-Tone Recording, in the late 1950’s. In addition, there are three songs from 45 rpm records Tony Bari released. Producer: Antonia Minnecola Executive Producer: Angela Minnecola

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ABLX061: Is That So? (CD) Price: $15.00 Is That So?, a groundbreaking recording six years in the making, with trailblazing guitarist John McLaughlin, India’s foremost music composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and tabla maestro Zakir Hussain, brings the three visionary musicians together in a musical landscape heretofore unexplored.

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