World Music Institute Continues its Masters of Indian Music Series with Alam Khan

World Music Institute continues its 2016-17 Masters of Indian Music series with Alam Khan. The face of a new generation of sarod players pays homage to his father,
the legendary Ali Akbar Khan, on what would have been his 95th Birthday, plus opening act Om Gam Ensemble, on Friday, April 7, 2017, 8:00 p.m. at (Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, Manhattan.

Tickets: $25-$35
www.worldmusicinstitute.org

From WMI Artistic Director Par Neiburger:

"Over the past several seasons we have focused to a large extent on family lineage in our Indian classical concerts. This family lineage of teacher (guru) and student is very prominent in the traditions of both Carnatic and Hindustani classical music and widely prevalent in Indian music traditions. We recently presented L. Subramanian with his son Ambi; Amjad Ali Khan with his sons Ayaan and Amaan; and several events and upcoming concerts of the Khan family of Etawah. Similarly Alam Khan is the torch bearer of a very distinguished and important Indian music tradition. His father and teacher Ali Akbar Khan was widely regarded as one of the most important and influential Indian musicians of all time. His work popularized the music of India in the West, and the Ali Akbar College-which Alam is now the head teacher of-has had countless students spreading this important tradition around the world. For this concert Om Gam Ensemble, led by Michael Gam (who was also a longtime student of Ali Akbar Khan) along with other members of the local Indian music collective Brooklyn Raga Massive, will open the concert. Alam is one of the finest of India's new music generation and it will be a treat to see him perform a special concert in celebration of what would have been his father's 95th birthday."

Son of the legendary sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan, Alam Khan has been touching the hearts of audiences worldwide for over a decade. For this special concert celebrating what would have been his father's 95th birthday, he will be joined by Nitin Mitta on tabla. Alam was blessed to learn and live in the traditional style of Guru and student. Ali Akbar Khan's careful crafting and guidance show in each note as well as in Alam's imaginative way of expressing ancient ragas. He has toured worldwide and established himself as Ali Akbar Khan's true heir and the face of a new generation of sarod players.

Ali Akbar Khan was a legendary Hindustani classical musician and sarod virtuoso. Along with Ravi Shankar, Khan was instrumental in popularizing Indian classical music in the West, both as a performer and as a teacher. He established a music school in Calcutta in 1956, and the Ali Akbar College of Music in California in 1967 at which Alam is now the teacher of advanced instrumental classes.

Nitin Mitta is one of the most sought after tabla players of his generation. Apart from being a dymanic soloist, he is a sought after accompanist who has performed with some of India's most celebrated Hindustani classical musicians including Pandit Jasraji, Amjad Ali Khan, and Nishat Khan.

Opening this concert will be the Om Gam Ensemble, led by bassist and composer Michael Gam. A sought after and versatile musician, Michael has performed with luminary musicians from a variety of traditions including world-class jazz musicians trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Tigran Hamasyan, and guitarist Rez Abassi, classical violin virtuoso Hillary Hahn, Afro-Cuban master percussionist Roman Diaz, and Indian classical maestros sitarist Pt. Krishna Bhatt and ghatam/konnakol artist Sri Subash Chandran. Michael initiated his ongoing study of Indian classical music in 2009 at the Ali Akbar College of Music and is also a core member of the Brooklyn Raga Massive.

WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE

THE MASTERS SERIES
WMI's collection of Masters Series brings legendary artists from across the globe to NYC. This year features Masters of African Music, Masters of Brazilian Music and Masters of Indian Music. The 2016 Fall/Winter period presented King Sunny Adé (Africa), Mulatu Astatke (Africa), Ikhlaq Hussain (India), Bebel Gilberto (Brazil), and Seu Jorge (Brazil).

Upcoming Masters Series Performances

SHUJAAT KHAN

Masters of Indian Music
Friday, May 12, 2017, Miller Theatre
Sitar virtuoso from a 7-generation musical dynasty

RAJEEV TARANATH

Masters of Indian Music
Thursday, May 18, 2017, Lincoln Center Atrium
India's sarod virtuoso and disciple of Ali Akbar Khan

TOM ZÉ

Masters of Brazilian Music
Saturday, June 3, 2017, BAM
Rare show by avant-garde legend from Brazil's '60s Tropicália movement

IMRAT KHAN & IRSHAD KHAN

Masters of Indian Music
Saturday, June 17, 2017, The Met Museum
The mighty Khans: a special sitar duet between a living legend & his son

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