PERCUSSION LEGEND ZAKIR HUSSAIN VISITS TOWN HALL

PRESS RELEASE
ISSUED 13 June 2008

ZAKIR HUSSAIN & MASTERS OF PERCUSSION Featuring the Dancing Drummers of Manipur

2 JULY 2008
TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM

Event info

Tabla maestro, Zakir Hussain, and the Masters of Percussion visit Town Hall Birmingham on Wednesday 2 July as part of a major European tour. Heading up a group of master musicians on colourful instruments – Taufiq Qureshi (Indian percussion), Niladri Kumar (sitar), Dilshad Khan (sarangi) and Bhavani Shankar (pakhawaj) – and joined by the dazzling and athletic Dancing Drummers of Manipur, the concert spans the traditional repertoire of North Indian drumming and explores the frontiers between traditional and contemporary, folk and classical.

Zakir Hussain explains: ‘Indian classical music is based on improvising, so the creative element is spontaneous. However, I can say there are elements of both north and south Indian classical music plus folk music as well as contemporary music; the exciting part of the show is to watch all these genres express themselves individually and also find a way to project as one voice.’

A major force and pioneer in contemporary world music, Zakir Hussain’s many outstanding collaborations have included Shakti, which he formed with John McLaughlin and L Shankar, the Diga Rhythm Band, and Making Music as well as recordings and performances with artists as diverse as George Harrison, Van Morrison and the Kodo Drummers. The recipient of countless official honours and awards, 2007 readers’ polls in Modern Drummer and Drum! magazines named him Best World Music and Best Worldbeat Drummer respectively.

The Master Musicians comprise Taufiq Qureshi, an ace percussionist of India and also an acclaimed composer. The son of the legendary tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha, Taufiq’s performances showcase the traditional flavour and intricacies of Indian rhythm and the sparkle of contemporary world percussion. Niladri Kumar (sitar), the son of celebrated sitarist Pandit Kartick Kumar, is one of India’s finest young players, already recognised for his dazzling technical prowess and the maturity of his melodic acumen. Dilshad Khan (sarangi) is descended from a rich lineage of talented musicians. He has played with many renowned artists and can be heard on the silver screens of both Bollywood and Hollywood. Meitei Pung Cholom Performing Troupe, established in 1963, is one of India’s premier groups, combining dance, drumming and martial arts. They rejuvenated traditional folk and Manipuri dance styles and are known for their acrobatic choreography and proficiency as well as for the unique-sounding drums.

The concert is supported by sampad south asian arts and is in association with Radio XL.

ENDS

Note to Editors

Wednesday 2 July, 7.30pm TOWN HALL BIRMINGHAM
ZAKIR HUSSAIN & MASTERS OF PERCUSSION
Featuring DANCING DRUMMERS OF MANIPUR
Zakir Hussain, tabla
Taufiq Qureshi, Indian percussion
Meitei Pung Cholom Performing Troupe – Dancing Drummers of Manipur
Niladri Kumar, sitar
Dilshad Khan, sarangi
Bhavani Shankar, pakhawaj

Link to concert page: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/zakir-hussain—-masters-of-percussion
Link to Zakir Hussain’s website: http://www.momentrecords.com/zakir.html

Since 1990, sampad has been a leading cultural organisation that has helped to establish South Asian arts within mainstream culture in Birmingham across the UK. Through production, promotion, performances, advocacy, education and outreach activity using the diverse artforms originating from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. www.sampad.org.uk

Town Hall and Symphony Hall are managed together by Performances Birmingham Limited, an independent charitable trust. Between them, the two halls present an exciting and varied programme of over 600 concerts and events a year, designed to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. Over 500,000 people visit Town Hall and Symphony Hall annually, and a thriving education/community department reaches a further 20,000 people of all ages.

Town Hall Birmingham re-opened in October 2007 following a £35m renovation funded by Birmingham City Council (£18.3m), Heritage Lottery Fund (£13.7m), European Regional Development Fund (£3m).

www.thsh.co.uk

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TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL BOX OFFICE 0121 780 3333
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