Presented in partnership with SOHARA
Join us for a tribute to Sufi mystic, poet, musician, and founder of Qawwali music Hazrat Amir Khusrau (1253 - 1325 AD) performed by Humayun Khan on vocals and harmonium, Salar Nader on Tabla, and Ustad Bashir Khan on Bulbul Tarang.
Amir Khusrau (1253-1325 AD), was born in Patiyali, India and was one of the greatest Sufi mystics and poets and musicians of medieval India. Son of a Muslim father from Central Asia, Khusrau is credited with developing the devotional Sufi music as well as Qawwali and introduced the poetic style of music called the ghazal, which still exist widely in India and neighboring countries. He is also credited with adapting and modifying the existing systems of vocal and instrumental music in North India, resulting in many of the classical genres like Khayal and Tarana that exist in Hindustani classical music today. The ubiquitous Sitar, one of the most common string instruments of India is reputed to be one of his inventions. His poetry and compositions spanned many languages including Persian and Hindavi - a precursor to modern day Hindi.
Amir Khusrau helped give a distinctive character to Indian cultural traditions through his contributions to the fields of Indian classical music and Islamic mysticism (Sufism) in the subcontinent. Amir Khusrau later called himself Amir Khusrau Dehlavi or Amir Khusrau of Delhi. He is buried next to the tomb of the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Aulia in Delhi.
The Artists
Humayun Khan, a widely-hailed Afghan singer and composer, is known for his brilliant performances as a virtuosic vocalist and harmonium player who has developed a unique style blending Farsi poetry with Indian classical Ragas. He has performed on many recordings and soundtracks, and in venues throughout the world, including the Gnaoua and Asilah International festivals in Morocco, The Kennedy Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music & the National Cathedral, Washington DC. As an advocate of cultural understanding through music, Humayun regularly collaborates with jazz and world musicians such as Peter Yarrow, Douglas Cuomo, & Howard Levy, whose improvisational skills cross between worlds of eastern and western traditions uniting the world through Music. www.humayunkhanmusic.com
Salar Nader is a most sought-after young Afghan-American Tabla virtuoso of his generation. Nader is an unprecedented percussionist, composer, producer, and beat maker. Fascinated with music and in particular with the limitless rhythmic and melodic capabilities of the Tabla, he began studying with the legendary Grammy award winning Tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain at the age of seven. He quickly became the leading pioneer and global ambassador tastefully merging the art of the Tabla with the musical sounds and rhythms from Afghanistan showcasing his cultural roots and passion.
Nader commenced 2019 by formally announcing and launching the Salar System Collective. Current album releases include Live in San Francisco Volume I and The Forgotten Empress. Additionally, he has released multiple singles and EPs which include Tabla Fit, Orbit, and Nomad. The Salar System album is set for release the summer of 2019.
He currently tours and plays 100+ concerts and global festivals a year with 4-time Grammy award winning Bassist, Stanley Clarke.
Ustad Bashir Khan from Rajasthan India, is one of the foremost exponents of this very unique instrument, Bulbul Tarang (Indian banjo). He traces his family lineage to six generations of artists. He trained in Kirana Gharana under maestro Abdul Rehman Khansahib, and has accompanied some of the the greatest artists including Ustad Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Nursrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pankaj Udas, and Hari Haran.