SEP 9 | SHAKTI
Davies Symphony Hall
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This page is an archive of a past production
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Original show description below.
The collaboration of instrumental legends John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain that defined the idea of “global fusion” in the mid-1970s celebrates 50 years and the new album This Moment with this historic performance at Davies Symphony Hall.
With a name translated from Hindi as “power,” Shakti came together after the dissolution of the first iteration of guitarist and Miles Davis alumnus McLaughlin’s trailblazing jazz fusion collective Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1973, with the concept to explore the intersection of jazz improvisation and Indian classical music.
Formed by McLaughlin and tabla maestro Hussain along with violinist L. Shankar and percussionist T.H. “Vikku” Vinayakram, the band released their landmark self-titled debut in 1976, a singular masterpiece of inspired improvisation, spellbinding virtuosity, and ensemble telepathy recorded live at Long Island’s Southampton College, followed by a pair of studio recordings before dissolving in 1978.
After a two-decade hiatus, McLaughlin and Hussain reunited as Forever Shakti in the late 1990s and join forces again in 2023 to celebrate five decades of musical magic with their highly anticipated new album That Moment and their first U.S. tour in sixteen years. The expanded ensemble includes vocalist Shankar Mahadevan, violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan, and Vinayakram’s son Selvaganesh on percussion.
SPONSORED BY
The collaboration of instrumental legends John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain that defined the idea of “global fusion” celebrates 50 years, their new album, and first U.S. tour in 16 years.
CONCERT SPONSOR
William H. Donner Foundation
Improvisations that fly far above cultural boundaries
The New York Times
Improvisations that fly far above cultural boundaries
The New York Times
Personnel
John McLaughlin guitar
Zakir Hussain tabla
Shankar Mahadevan vocals
Ganesh Rajagopalan violin
Selvaganesh Vinayakram percussion
This is a band that is not dominated by any one star, and a band that is playing the truest East-West fusion music that has yet been heard
The New York Times
Personnel
John McLaughlin guitar
Zakir Hussain tabla
Shankar Mahadevan vocals
Ganesh Rajagopalan violin
Selvaganesh Vinayakram percussion
This is a band that is not dominated by any one star, and a band that is playing the truest East-West fusion music that has yet been heard
The New York Times
Watch & Listen
Shakti
Joy
Shakti
Mohanam
Shakti
Joy
Shakti
Mohanam
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