Zakir Hussain

印度塔布拉鼓（tabla）堪称打击之王，表演者用指和掌在一对结构精密的塔布拉鼓上，翻飞出精妙绝伦的复杂节奏。它需要表演者具有高超的演奏技巧，以及对印度古典音乐的深刻理解。而出生于印度孟买的塔布拉鼓大师扎克尔･侯赛因无疑是当今公认的塔布拉鼓第一人，其表演聪慧又充满激情。 　　早年，他曾师从塔布拉鼓大师乌斯塔德･阿拉･拉罕（Ustad Alla Rakha），被认为是塔布拉鼓的天才儿童。他从12岁起，便开始跟随着历史上最著名的印度音乐家们遍游全球。如今他每年的音乐会不少于160场。 　　作为一个严肃的印度古典音乐家，他不仅仅在印度受到了广泛的认同，成为“国宝”，在世界范围内也堪称顶尖，他参与的现代音乐项目不胜枚举，其中包括与Mickey Hart共同创作了格莱美获奖专辑《地球鼓》（Planet Drum）；参与制作1996年亚特兰大奥运会开幕式音乐；与纽约前卫音乐制作人比尔･拉斯韦尔（Bill Laswell）共同组建了世界音乐领域内的超级乐团Tabla Beat Science；以及在著名大提琴演奏家马友友领衔的《丝绸之路》中，与他同台表演…… 　　扎克尔是个继印度西塔琴大师拉维･香卡（Ravi Shankar）后，又一位把印度古典音乐成功带到世界面前，并赢得广泛尊重的伟大艺术家，也是世界音乐征服全世界的进程中的旗手人物。1999年，他从当时的美国第一夫人希拉里手中领得当年的“民族基金”，这一旨在褒奖传统艺术领域中最负声望者的荣誉。
The tradition of Indian percussion has been revolutionalized by tabla player Zakir Hussain. The son of Ustad Allah Rakha, the long time collaborator of Ravi Shankar, Hussain has inherited his fathers quest for bringing the music of India to the international stage. His recording credits include albums with George Harrison, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Jack Bruce, Tito Puente, Pharoah Saunders, Billy Cobham, the Hong Kong Symphony and the New Orleans Symphony. His work with Mickey Hart of The Grateful Dead have included performances and albums with the Diga Rhythm Band and Planet Drum. Hussain joined with British guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian violinist L. Shankar to form the east-meets-west supergroup, Shakti, in 1975. Although the group disbanded in 1978, they reunited to tour as Remember Shakti in 1998. Hussain has been equally successful as a bandleader. During the 1980s, he toured with Zakir Hussains Rhythm Experience. His debut solo album, Making Music, released in 1987, was called one of the most inspired East-West fusion albums ever recorded. In 1992, Hussain launched a record label, Monument Records, that focused on Indian music. A lengthy list of awards have been bestowed upon Hussain throughout his career. In 1988, he became the youngest percussionist to be awarded the title Padma Shri by the Indian government. Two years later, he recieved the Indo-Ameican award in tribute to his contributions to furthering relations between the United States and India. Planet Drum, an album co-produced with Hart in 1992, received a Grammy for best world music album, a NARM Indie Best Seller award and won the Downbeat Critics Poll for Best world music album. Still a youngster when he began to attract attention with his virtuosic playing, Hussain began his musical career at the age of seven and was touring by the age of twelve. In 1970, he made his American debut as accompanist for Ravi Shankar. Three years later, he became the leader of the Tal Vadya Rhythm Band. The group subsequently evolved into the Diga Rhythm Band. In 1976, the band collaborated on a self-titled album with Mickey Hart. Hussain has performed on the soundtracks of numerous films including Apocalypse Now!, In Custody and Little Buddha. At the 1983 Cannes Film Festival, he was nominated for an award as composer and music director of the film, Heat And Dust.