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Musicians · 1951–2024

Zakir Hussain

Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor, and composer (1951–2024)

Born: 9 March 1951
Mumbai
Died: 15 December 2024
San Francisco
Country: India
Active: 1963–
Discography: 73 albums

Biography

Zakir Hussain was a jazz musician who played tabla. Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Mumbai and died on 15 December 2024 in San Francisco. The music is usually filed under jazz, jazz fusion and world music. The discography here lists 73 albums, from “Percussion From India, Tabla In Solo And Duet” (1972) to “Zara” (2022). Honours include Padma Shri in arts (1988), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1990) and National Heritage Fellowship (1999).

Ustad Zakir Hussain Qureshi (9 March 1951 – 15 December 2024) was an Indian tabla player, composer, arranger, percussionist, music producer and film actor who was based for much of his career in the San Francisco Bay Area. The eldest son of esteemed tabla player Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain was widely regarded as the greatest tabla player of his generation and one of its finest percussionists. He produced music across multiple genres and contributed to popularizing Indian classical music to a global audience. Often prefixed by the honorific title of 'Ustad', Hussain was awarded the United States National Endowment for the Arts' National Heritage Fellowship, the highest award given to traditional artists and musicians. He was also given the Government of India's Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1990 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship, Ratna Sadsya, in 2018.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Percussion From India, Tabla In Solo And Duet 1972

Kirwani 1979

Two Moods 1981

When Time Stood Still 1982

Introducing .... 1984

Nishat Khan with Zakir Hussain 1985 · Live

Hundred Strings of Santoor 1986

The 'Ultimate' in Percussion Music 1986

Making Music 1987

Zakir Hussain & Sultan Khan 1987

Rāg Madhuvantī / Rāg Miśra Tilang 1988

Tabla Duet 1988

Indian Night Live Stuttgart '88 1989 · Live

Master of the Bamboo Flute Volume II 1989

Raga Marwa & Misra Desh 1989

Venu 1989 · Live

Romantic Sound of Sitar 1990

India: Raga purya kalyan 1991

Maestro's Choice: Series One: Tabla 1991

Memorable Tabla Duet 1991 · Live

Rag Pilu - Rag Khammaj 1991

Sarangi and Tabla 1991

Sur Taal 1991

Tabla Duet 1991 · Live

Tabla Tradition, Rhythms From India 1991

Vocal 1991 · Live

Zakir Hussain & the Rhythm Experience 1991

Rãga-s du nord et du sud 1992 · Live

Sangeet Sartaj, Volumes 1 & 2 1992

Violin, Tabla 1992

Rãga du début de la nuit 1993

Santoor 1993

Soundscapes - Music of the Deserts 1993

Tabla 1994

Thought N Beats 1994

Kirwani: Essence of a Raag 1995

Maestro's Choice - Zakir Hussain 1995

The Elements: Space 1995

Energy 1996 · Live

Ragas Kirwani & Kajri - 75th Birthday Celebration 1996

The One And Only 1996

Melody & Rhythm 1997

Drums of India: Ecstasy 1998

Essence of Rhythm 1998

Night Spinner 1998

Sambandh 1998

Drums of India 1999

A Percussion Ensemble of Magical Brilliance 2002 · Live

Sonorous Sound of Sarangi 2002 · Live

The Mystic Masseur 2002

Garima Vol. 2 2003

The Flow of Time 2003

A Journey 2004

Shared Moments 2004

Bamboo Music 2005

Rhythmic Impressions of Ustad Zakir Hussain 2006

Golden Strings of the Sarode 2007

Legends Forever 2007

Mesmerizing Maestros 2009

Rhythm of Love 2010

Zara 2022

Captivating Melodies of Sitar

Ethereal Rhythms

Flights of Improvisation

Kirwani: Essence Of A Raag

Maestro's Choice: Series 2: Tabla

Navras

Possession · Live

Raag

Raga Lalit, Raga Bairagi Bhairav

Ragas Kaushi Kannada & Bhairvi · Live

Together

Vanaprastham - The Last Dance

Member of

Shakti 1975– · band

Awards

1988 Padma Shri in arts
1990 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
1999 National Heritage Fellowship
2002 Padma Bhushan
2006 Kalidas Samman
2008 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album
2022 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy
2022 Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
2023 Padma Vibhushan in art

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Zakir Hussain play?

Zakir Hussain is known for playing tabla.

When and where was Zakir Hussain born?

Zakir Hussain was born 9 March 1951 in Mumbai.

What are Zakir Hussain's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Percussion From India, Tabla In Solo And Duet (1972), Kirwani (1979), Two Moods (1981), When Time Stood Still (1982) and Introducing .... (1984).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.