Photo: Jim McGuire
Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla virtuoso and percussionist who was instrumental in spreading the sound and splendor of classical Indian music worldwide, will be celebrated by friends and collaborators on Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Ronald O. Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium. The event coincides with the late musician’s 75th birthday.
Officially titled “Zakir Hussain Eternal – A 75th Birthday Celebration of Rhythm, Genius and Joy,” the one-night event will feature an extensive list of participants who will present songs that honor the life and enduring legacy of Hussain and his global reach. Included in the occasion’s live performance element are Mickey Hart, Charles Lloyd, Edgar Meyer, Vijay Iyer, V. Selvaganesh, Eric Harland, Fazal Qureshi, Taufiq Qureshi, Gerald Clayton, Harish Raghavan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Kala Ramnath, Marcus Gilmore, Marvin Sewell, with special guests and students of the late great also expected.
The concert is presented by The Zakir Hussain Institute of Music and World Music Institute. The latter, “Founded in 1985 as a not-for-profit, World Music Institute (WMI) has served as one of the leading presenters of world music and dance within the United States. WMI is committed to presenting the best in traditional and contemporary music and dance from around the world to enrich lives through the arts, promote awareness and appreciation of the world’s rich cultural traditions, and encourage cross-cultural dialogue and exchange.”
Through the online invitation, the presenters of the concert extended, “Join us for a night that pays tribute not only to a master musician but to a man whose work became a universal language of joy, unity, and genius.”
Zakir’s global appeal accounted for multiple Grammy Award wins and his status as an Indian civilian honor recipient. His virtuoso talent remains highly regarded worldwide, thanks to his classical tendencies rooted in his home, and he is credited as a founder and collaborator with ensembles like Shakti and Planet Drum.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here.
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