Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion Play the Pantages Theatre Tonight

Zakir Hussain, the acclaimed Indian percussionist and global tabla superstar, is bringing his handiwork as part of Masters of Percussion to Hennepin Theatre Trust's Pantages Theatre (710 Hennepin Ave., downtown Minneapolis) at 8 p.m. tonight, March 19, 2016.

During this evening of virtuosic rhythm, Hussain on tabla will perform with Seiichi Tanaka, on taiko Drums; Anantha Krishnan on mridangam; Mannargudi Vaidyanthan on tavil; Navin Sharma on dholak and Sabir Khan on sarangi.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15. Visit hennepintheatretrust.org or call 1.800.982.2787 for tickets or more information.

Hussain is considered one of the greatest musicians of our time. Along with his legendary father and teacher, Ustad Allarakha, he has elevated the status of the tabla in India and around the world. The tabla is pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres, with a small right hand drum called dayan and a larger metal one called bayan. It is often used in Hindustani classical music and in the traditional music of Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Hussain's playing is marked by uncanny intuition and masterful improvisational dexterity, founded in formidable knowledge and study. A favorite accompanist for India's leading classical musicians and dancers, Hussain is also widely recognized as a chief architect of the world music movement with his many historic collaborations, including Shakti, Remember Shakti, Diga, Planet Drum and his ever-changing musical feast, Masters of Percussion. In 2012, Hussain was named Best Percussionist in the Downbeat Critics' Poll.

A child prodigy, Hussain began his career at the age of twelve, quickly becoming one of the most acclaimed Indian musicians of his generation and one of the world's leading percussionists. He is the recipient of many honors, including a recent Grammy in the Best Contemporary World Music category for Global Drum Project. He's also the recipient of the 1999 National Heritage Fellowship, the United States' most prestigious honor for a master in traditional arts. In 2009, Hussain was named an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters by France's Ministry of Culture and Communication.

Zakir Hussain and Masters of Percussion will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Pantages Theatre (710 Hennepin Avenue, downtown Minneapolis). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15 and range in price from $32.50 to $48.50, depending on seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional service charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, downtown Minneapolis), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org, by calling 1.800.982.2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Center.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. The Trust is located in the WeDo MPLS Cultural District. Learn more at HennepinTheatreTrust.org and wedompls.org.

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