Shaam-e-Ghazal: Ustad Tari Khan Live in Concert
A disciple of legendary Ustad Mehdi Hassan and Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan, Ustad Tari Khan has captured audience imaginations worldwide as a both a ghazal and tabla maestro. Raised by a classical vocalist father and groomed by two legendary Ustads during a golden era of music, he represents a unique product of melodic and rhythmic pedigree. As Tariji was a rising star in the early 70s and touring with Mehdi Hassan as an accompanist, he was under continuous talim, from the ghazal legend. Once established as one of the foremost percussionists in India and Pakistan, Tariji turned his performance prowess to ghazals and quickly established himself as a leading vocalist. His rendition preserves Ustad Mehdi Hassan’s depth and feeling while displaying his unique innovation, leaving audiences spellbound. Tariji has received the highest global accolades for the better part of four decades, including Pakistan’s coveted Pride of Performance, her highest award for artistic excellence. In the last several years he has given many vocal concerts in prestigious sold out venues across India, Pakistan, Europe, Australia, US, and Canada and drawn critical acclaim. In recent years, Tariji has continued to evolve, as a composer, by crossing generas with film and with western artists, and as an ambassador of eastern music with the Doris Duke foundation.
Mohammad Bashir Khan, originally from Rajasthan India, is one of the foremost exponents of his instrument, Bubul Tarang. He hails from a family of six generations of artists. As a follower of the Kirana Gharana under maestro Abdul Rehman Khansahib, he has applied his training to this unique instrument and regularly accompanied the highest profile artists including Ustad Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali, Nursrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pankaj Udas, and Hari Haran. He regularly works with Bollywood movie directors and can be heard in many movies.
Arif Mani is a stage performer, studio artist, a composer, and a sound engineer. A versatile artist, he plays a wide range of key based instruments including piano, electronic keyboard and harmonium. He has performed and recorded with various renowned artists including Ghulam Abbas, Parvez Mehdi, Abida Parveen, Rafaqat Ali Khan, and many others. He worked for Pakistan Television as a music director and composer and was awarded best composer in 2010.
Matt Gaskins has sang and played instruments since the age of 5 and pursued a career in music steeped in both performance and music education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in percussion from Cameron University and Master in jazz vocal from University of North Texas. He has worked across genres for over 30 year and worked with acclaimed jazz artists like Vinnie Colaiuta. Matt happened upon Hindustani classical music in his teens and studied sitar under sitar maestro Ustad Imrat Khan and eventually became a disciple of Ustad Tari Khan. He has applied his talents and education across genres on a regular basis, including working with Abhit Pohankar of Piya Bawari and Ustad Tari Khan. Matt was also founder of Neighbor Arts and Music School (NAMS) an established music school in Frisco, Texas and is currently Music Director at Imagine International Academy of North Texas.
Shahrukh Taj was born in a musical family and started playing tabla at an early age. In his teens he became a formal disciple of Ustad Tari Khan, one of the foremost exponents of the instrument. Over the years he has accompanied various renowned artists including Fida Hussain, Ghulam Abbas, Hari Haran, and Parvez Ali Khan (Parvez Mehdi) to name a few. Shahrukh has worked with classical and semi-classical artists as well as western musicians for 20 years and has been teaching tabla in the DFW area for nearly 10 years.