Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland: Crosscurrents | JAZZ NIGHT IN AMERICA

Tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain, prolific bassist Dave Holland and their international ensemble perform together as Crosscurrents, a musical exploration of the influence of Indian music on the jazz and rock scenes of the '60s.

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by NATE CHINEN

Virtuosity — of a dazzling, ebullient, yet altogether generous sort — might be the most obvious bridge between David Holland and Zakir Hussain. But there's also a deep cultural foundation behind their musical dialogue, which forms the beating heart of a project called Crosscurrents.

Hussain, a peerless master of the Indian tabla, and Holland, an English-born bassist of sterling jazz renown, were both shaped in some way by the 1960s, a decade of awakening and convergence. In this episode of Jazz Night in America, we'll explore the influence of Indian music on the jazz and rock scenes of that era — as well as the less familiar story of jazz's influence on the subcontinent, embodied by musicians like pianist and composer Louiz Banks.

We'll hear music from a recent Jazz at Lincoln Center concert led by Hussain and Holland. Crosscurrents also features Banks, his son, drummer Gino Banks, along with acclaimed American saxophonist and flutist Chris Potter, Bollywood vocal star Shankar Mahadevan and Mumbai-based jazz guitarist Sanjay Divecha. We'll also get some valuable outside perspective from percussionist Sameer Gupta and other musicians in Brooklyn Raga Massive, which pursues a similar form of thrumming exchange.

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This set was recorded at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall on May 5th, 2018 in New York City.

SET LIST
3:28 - "Radhe Rani"
15:06 - "Hope"
26:06 - "Shadows"
37:08 - "Rama Rama"
57:56 - "Doors"
1:13:40 - "Solace"
1:20:40 - "Finding The Light"
1:29:00 - "Encounter / Breathless"

MUSICIANS
Zakir Hussain (tabla)
Dave Holland (bass)
Shankar Mahadevan (voice)
Chris Potter (saxophone)
Sanjay Divecha (guitar)
Louiz Banks (piano)
Gino Banks (drums)

Thumbnail photography by Lawrence Sumulong for Jazz at Lincoln Center.

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FOLLOW US:

[AsimAwan]

😢 The great maestro Zakir Hussain is no more with us. Rest in Eternal Peace of Music. Born: March 9, 1951 in Mumbai. Date of death: December 15, 2024 in San Francisco.

[ShashankModiMusic]

I saw this concert Live over a year ago. I urge people to go see musicians live. YouTube cannot match that experience.

[zodiacmanan]

Me and my wife were lucky enough to catch this live in Boston. Memorable concert!!

[bharathagurusinghe]

I am watching again this wonderful performance after 3 years, while Maestro Zakir Hussain just left us . RIP 🙏🙏🙏

[kanikasharma]

Wow!! And that is why music should be officially declared as the world's official language.

[Luvly]

Everyone is a legend here. RIP Zakir Hussain ji. Sad to see you depart this world for heavenly aboard!!

[arkasengupta]

One of world's greatest musicians Ustad Zakir Hussain has passed away. Rest in music greatest

[mztee]

Rest in peace, Maestro Zakir Hussein. Thank you for all the joy and wonder you brought us. You will always be lovingly remembered, and greatly missed. 🙏🏼

[OfficerFloofles]

The intro, with east and west literally approaching each-other from opposite sides of the stage, chills

[RajendraDave-brji]

"America's gift to the world is jazz"- what a great line.

[BackgroundExtra]

I meet Ravi Shankar when i was 10 in the india music skool wich was a honor I meet Zakir Hussain a couple years ago after a concert Meet and greet with friends He was a friend of my dad Really kind person He is a legend One with his tabla and sounds R. I . P 🙏

[guygauvreau]

We are fortunate to have access to this music, in a click. Thanks Zakir and Dave to play.

[chrysanthoschrysanthakopou]

Chris Potter you are the best jazz improviser I've encountered for decades! A great artist!

[ranjanabhaumickdutta]

Salute to all the Stalwarts of Vocal, MUSIC, and Precussion of all times!!

[Predilus]

Whow, Shankar Mahadevan is new for me. That voice is so effortless and warm, he wanders the spectrum so lightfooted and stays completely crystalclear on point, pure joy! The whole ensemble fits wonderfully together.

[NotAPundit]

Can't digest the fact that Ustad Zakir Hussain is no more with us..Om shanti shanti shanti..

[philipschrantz]

Potter’s work here is stunningly good - playful, melodic, sensitive, and respectful. This is how jazz is supposed to be.

[bharathagurusinghe]

Shankar Mahadevan is outstanding. Shakir Hussain's Tabla proved that Jazz can be spiced up with Indian flavours.

[mfrmll]

GENTLEMEN: THE privilege and HONOUR of being ABLE to HEAR and WITNESS such PERFECTION is BEYOND my IMAGINING. YOU ASTOUND THE heavenly hosts. THEY had to be UTTERLY ENTHRALLED and HOPELESSLY OVERCOME WITH I CAN DO IS WEEP FOR JOY....PURE EFFULGENT RAPSODY....SO GRATEFUL TO EACH ONE OF YOU. . . . and filled with gratitude for this generous opportunity !!! !!

[venitabanerjee]

First heard Zakir Hussain play tabla in his teens !!! ...along with young Shiv Shankar on Santoor at a private house recital way back in the 60's .!!! .... His father Maestro Alla Raka performed in our small town music conference .... already s big name .... sheer joy to see the legacy carried forward to such heights !!!!