The world of music lost an icon with the passing of tabla master Zakir Hussain on December 15, 2024.  Organized by Zakir’s family, this one-time-only musical celebration will take place in the sacred space of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral on Friday, February 28, 2025.  All ticket proceeds will go to the Zakir Hussain Institute of Music.

The concert will bring together over two dozen of Zakir’s closest friends and musical collaborators including Lines Ballet, George Brooks, Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, Eric Harland, Mickey Hart, Marcus Gilmore, Alam Khan, Anantha Krishnan, Jayanthi Kumaresh, Julian Lage, Charles Lloyd, Third Coast Percussion w/Salar Nader, Chris Potter, Harish Raghavan, Ganesh Rajagopalan, Kala Ramnath, Joshua Redman, David Sánchez, John Santos, Marvin Sewell, Steve Smith, and Tabla Choir. Program subject to change.

Zakir had a profound connection to Grace Cathedral.  SFJAZZ presented a duo concert with Zakir and Joe Henderson in 1990 and, in 2001, Zakir performed in a duo with Charles Lloyd which led to the formation of the Sangam Trio with Eric Harland.

The pre-eminent classical tabla virtuoso of our time, Zakir Hussain was appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the music world at large as an international phenomenon and one of the world’s most esteemed and influential musicians. His brilliant accompaniment, solo performance and genre-defying collaborations elevated the status of his instrument both in India and globally, bringing the tabla into a new dimension of renown and appreciation.

Widely considered a chief architect of the contemporary world music movement, Zakir’s contribution was unique, with many historic and groundbreaking collaborations including Shakti, Remember Shakti, Masters of Percussion, Planet Drum and Global Drum Project with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland, CrossCurrents with Dave Holland and Chris Potter, and in trio with Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer.  He was awarded the 2022 Kyoto Prize laureate in Arts and Philosophy, awarded by the Inamori Foundation to “those who have contributed significantly to the scientific, cultural and spiritual betterment of mankind.” Zakir became the first musician from India to receive 3 Grammys at one time at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024, for Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

The Zakir Hussain Institute of Music was founded to further the knowledge of classical Indian percussion music and its place in contemporary music. Drawing upon the legacy of 40 years of workshops, retreats and seminars led by Zakir, the Institute will work to instruct and inspire future generations of musicians by archiving this recorded body of work, along with Zakir’s concerts, lectures and appearances. The summer tabla workshop in the SF Bay Area will continue with guest musicians, maintaining Zakir’s tradition of offering many scholarships to his classes that always ended with a free concert.

A Celebration of the Life and Music of Zakir Hussain is made possible by generous contributions from Kristine Johnson and Tim Dattels, SFJAZZ, and Srinija Srinivasan.

Thank you to Grace Cathedral for their support and cooperation.

Tickets

$65 GA

General admission seating is in the pews behind the Reserved section, in chairs behind the pews, in the side aisles, to either side of the stage, and behind the stage. Some of these seats have obstructed view.

$90 Reserved Section

The first 10 rows have been reserved for the Reserved section. Seating is first-come-first-served within this section.

$30 Student 

General Admission (21 or younger, i.d. required).

100% of ticket proceeds to Zakir Hussain Institute of Music

Listen

Anahata: Zakir Hussain and the “un-struck sound”

Event Details

The cathedral will open for seating at 6 pm. The entrance to the cathedral is at the top of the Great Steps. The accessible entrance is via the glass doors on Taylor Street or from the cathedral garage. 

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