Percussionist

Due to the passing of Zakir Hussain, his scheduled performance at Soka Performing Arts Center has been canceled.

The undisputed tabla star of his generation, Zakir Hussain possesses a “virtuosity that is barely to be believed” (The Washington Post). For his legion of Cal Performances fans, Hussain returns with his dazzling Masters of Percussion program, a gathering of fellow musical heavyweights representing a myriad of cultures and traditions, from Indian classical music to jazz. The spirit of collaboration and exchange runs in Hussain’s veins—he began touring more than two decades ago in a duo with his late father and mentor, the legendary Ustad Allarakha, and today keeps that artist’s memory alive through these spirited concerts featuring the world’s finest percussionists. This year’s Masters of Percussion group features Hussain joined by Indian sarangi player (and son of legendary sarangi player Ustad Sultan Khan) Sabir Khan; Colombian-born jazz master Tupac Mantilla;  balafon, barra, djembe, and conga player Melissa Hié, and master of the dholak and tabla student of Hussain’s father Ustad Allarakha, Navin Sharma.

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Cancelled: Zakir Hussain's Masters Of Percussion

Soka Performing Arts Center

Every other year for the past thirty years, Zakir Hussain has served as curator, conductor, and producer for his series, Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion, which brings the very cream of Indian music and world percussion to tour America and Europe.
Growing out of his renowned international tabla duet tours with his father, the legendary Ustad Allarakha, Masters of Percussion began as a platform for both popular and rarely heard rhythm traditions from India. While performing and collaborating in India for a few months every year, Zakir has sought and unearthed lesser-known folk and classical traditions which feed into the greater stream of Indian music, playing an educational role in affording them greater visibility, as well as introducing them to audiences in the West. Over time, the constantly changing ensemble has expanded to include great drummers and percussionists from many world traditions, including jazz and Latin music.
All of it creates a truly beautiful field from which he can bring Masters of Percussion to the West. The 2023 version will be no exception, presenting American audiences with extraordinary, exciting, and spontaneous combinations of percussive as well as melodic performances.

Zakir Hussain

Balboa Theatre

When the music of jazz pianist Omer Klein, born in Israel in 1982, is described as "boundless" (New York Times), this is meant quite literally: Klein composes for solo piano and big band, for jazz trio and orchestra, for theater, dance, and film. He has regularly thrilled audiences in Hamburg with the Omer Klein Trio in recent years. Now he's doubling down – returning to the Great Hall with his newly formed sextet, The Poetics, featuring two saxophones and percussion.

Percussionist

Tupac Mantilla

Events

Upcoming events

Apr 11, 2026

Omer Klein & The Poetics · Elbphilharmonie

Past events

Mar 22, 2025

Cancelled: Zakir Hussain's Masters Of Percussion · Soka University of America - Performing Arts Center

Mar 18, 2023

Zakir Hussain · La Jolla Music Society

About

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