Early Life
It all began for Zakir Hussain while he was still a fetus; his father, Ustad Allah Rakha, would tap out the rhythms which made him famous on his wife's belly. Zakir learned to play the tabla early and was touring by the age of twelve. At the age of thirteen, he had the privelege of meeting George Harrison, who was visiting India to study with sitar-master Ravi Shankar. The meeting of Harrison and Shankar, of course, introduced Indian classical music to the world. Hussain would extend this fusion of genres further in his career.
Zakir Hussain's father, who attained fame as a classical Indian tabla player before experimenting outside the lines of tradition, wanted his son to follow in the same vein of musical prowess so he would not lose his heritage. Zakir Hussain still does maintain classical Indian elements in his fusion music, and says, "Even now, 80 percent of the time I am performing Indian classical music. It is rare that I get involved in playing anything else." He was and still is sought after as an accompanist by the premier classical Indian musicians, such as Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. In fact, Hussain still respectfully studies from Ali Akbar Khan at Khan's music school in San Anselmo, California.
Hussain explains the difference between his classical roots and his extension of the versatility of the tabla. "There is a certain way we play music in India. We tend to lean toward the perfect execution of a phrase--a tal, or complicated rhythmic cycle. But we don't necessarily pay attention to what the instrument can do in its range of melodic tone. And that's what I've learned by watching Puerto Rican conga players or the African talking drum or the various subtle ways a jazz drummer places the beat on symbols."
Fusion
Zakir first toured in the United States in 1970, and toured 150 or more concerts a year after that. Hussain's famous collaboration with South Indian violinist L. Shankar, South Indian percussionist T. H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, and British guitarist John McLaughlin to form the group Shakti toppled boundaries between the musical traditions of East and West. Said Hussain, "We didn't approach each other thinking 'Okay, you play South Indian, I play North Indian and he'll play jazz, then see what happens.' We just jumped into the wagon and took a ride together. It was four people as one." Despite a poor reception early on, McLaughlin and Hussain were confident in the quality of their music. After all, McLaughlin had left a commercially successful campaign playing electric guitar with the jazz-rock fusion Mahavishnu Orchestra and left electric guitar completely for his role in Shakti; he must have had some confidence in the new group's prospects. Shakti was together from 1975 to 1977.
In 1984, there was a weak attempt at a reunion tour in India, but any semblance of a real reunion tour came in 1997 in Britain with Remember Shakti. Hussain, McLaughlin, Vinayakram, and new member, famous flutist Hariprasad Chaurasia, comprised the reunion group until 1999, when Chaurasia and Vinayakram, unable to stay, were replaced. The reunion group tended to maintain more elements of traditional Indian music, for example the long, structured ragas, than Shakti's original productions. In addition, John McLaughlin played a quiet electric guitar rather than his acoustic guitar of the 1970's Shakti.
Zakir Hussain's first solo album, Making Music, came in 1987 and was acclaimed as "one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded."
Other Credits and Awards
Hussain's quick fingers and musical genius brought him other opportunities and honors as well. He has performed with artists such as Mickey Hart, in the Diga Rhythm Band, George Harrison, Van Morrison, Tito Puente, and the New Orleans Symphony. In 1992, his album with Mickey Hart, Planet Drum, won them a Grammy. Also in 1992, he created his own record label, Moment! Records, which specializes in contemporary and world music, especially that of Indian artists. Hussain has even been involved in film scores, including those of Apocalypse Now, In Custody, and Little Buddha. He also was involved in composing the opening music of the Summer Olympics of 1996 and composed new music at the San Francisco Jazz Festival in 1998. His work has drawn the attention of his homeland as well. The Indian government bestowed upon him in 1988 the title of "Padma Shri," honoring his (civilian) efforts. In 1990, he earned the Indo-American Award for his positive role in India-U.S. relations. In 1991, India's major cultural institute honored him with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Having seen his skillful playing live, I can attest to his mastery of classical Indian beats. On the other hand, his recent endeavors in the fusion band Tabla Beat Science incorporates electronica elements. The difference in the sound of these two performances illustrates the versatility of this great artist.
References
3to6.com
Amazon.com: Remember Shakti-The Believer
ApunKaChoice
Innerview: Remember Shakti
Innerview: Zakir Hussain
MetroActive.com
Moment! Records