PERFORMANCE CANCELLED
We offer our deepest sympathies upon the passing of world music icon and tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. This perpetual Penn Live Arts favorite has graced our stage many times, as recently as Apr 2022, and was slated to return as part of our 24/25 season. Each sold-out performance showcased Hussain’s vibrant, masterful approach to the tabla and the rich traditions of Indian drumming, captivating audiences across generations. Hussain forged an extraordinary legacy over the course of his five-decade career, uniting musicians from diverse genres and cultures and leaving an indelible impact on music today. Zakir Hussain’s death is an immeasurable loss for our community, the music industry and the world.
Tabla superstar Zakir Hussain was “a fearsome technician but also a whimsical inventor, devoted to exuberant play.” (The New York Times) The 2023 Percussionist of the Year winner for both the DownBeat Critics Poll and Jazz Journalist Association, Hussain mesmerized audiences with meditative classical ragas, high-energy rhythmic drumming and masterful improvisational dexterity. His performance was originally scheduled for Nov 3, 2024.
Due to health-related family matters, Zakir Hussain's performance was postponed to Apr 9, 2026. This new date was scheduled as a duo performance with sitar player Niladri Kumar as part of our 25/26 season, and those with tickets were automatically transferred to the new date.
In light of this recent loss, the performance is now cancelled. Ticketholders for the postponed performance date have been contacted with options to exchange or refund their ticket.
Photo credits:
1: Paul Joseph
2: Courtesy Rahul Sharma
3: Jim Bennett
