{"id":38901,"date":"2018-03-24T11:42:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-24T15:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38901"},"modified":"2018-03-24T11:42:04","modified_gmt":"2018-03-24T15:42:04","slug":"on-stage-a-master-of-indian-classical-music-performs-in-the-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=38901","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: A master of Indian classical music performs in the area"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Zakir Hussain<\/p><\/div>\n

On March 24, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with one of India\u2019s emerging new luminaries.<\/p>\n

Zakir Hussain, a master percussionist in North Indian Hindustani classical music, is recognized as the world\u2019s premier table player. He will perform on stage in a duet with Rakesh Chaurasia — one of the top flutists from the Indian sub-continent \u2013 in a show at Independence School (1300 Paper Mill Road, Newark, Delaware, www.badv.us\/mosaic<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Hussain is today appreciated both in the field of percussion and in the
\nmusic world at large as an international phenomenon. A classical tabla
\nvirtuoso of the highest order, his consistently brilliant and exciting
\nperformances have not only established him as a national treasure in
\nhis own country, India, but gained him worldwide fame.<\/p>\n

His playing is marked by uncanny intuition and masterful improvisational
\ndexterity, founded in formidable knowledge and study. The favorite
\naccompanist for many of India\u2019s greatest classical musicians and
\ndancers, he has not let his genius rest there.<\/p>\n

Widely considered chief architect of the contemporary world music movement, Hussain\u2019s contribution to world music has been unique, with many historic collaborations, including Shakti, which he founded with John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, Remember Shakti, the Diga Rhythm Band, Making Music, Planet Drum with Mickey Hart, Tabla Beat Science, Sangam with Charles Lloyd and Eric Harland.<\/p>\n

He is also known for his recordings and performances with artists as diverse as George Harrison, YoYo Ma, Joe Henderson, Van Morrison, Airto Moreira, Pharoah Sanders, Billy Cobham, Mark Morris, Rennie Harris, and the Kodo drummers.<\/p>\n

Hussain\u2019s prowess as a table player came naturally \u2013 even genetically. His father Alla Rakha. Ustad Allarakha Qureshi, popularly known as Alla Rakha, was an Indian tabla player specialized in Hindustani Classical music. He was a frequent accompanist of the world\u2019s greatest proponent of Indian classical music — sitarist Ravi Shankar.<\/p>\n

Hussain was a child prodigy.<\/p>\n

His father taught him Pakhawaj from the age of 3 years. Alla Rakha belonged to the tradition of tabla-playing known as the Punjab baaj, one of the six main traditions (baaj) of north Indian tabla drumming, the others being Delhi, Benares, Ajrara, Farrukhabad, and Lucknow.<\/p>\n

Hussain was touring by the age of 11. He went to the United States in 1969 to do his PhD at the University of Washington, receiving a doctorate in music. After that he began his international career, including more than 150 concert dates a year.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the first 15 years of my life, it was only Indian music,\u201d said Hussain, during a recent phone interview. \u201cWhen I got to America, I was exposed to jazz and gamelan. I spent another eight years trying to get used to that.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, with younger Indian musicians, they grow up with exposure to music of the world. They are learning all the music and it appears to them as one entity. They know 50 times more about music of the globe than I did when I was 25.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of those younger musicians is Rakesh Chaurasia, who is a shining light in the next generation of Indian classical musicians.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Rakesh Chaurasia<\/p><\/div>\n

Rakesh Chaurasia, the nephew and child prodigy of flute maestro Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, has a famous name to live up to. Among the promising musicians of the second generation, Chaurasia has carved a niche for himself as an accomplished flautist.<\/p>\n

From a young age, Hussain has been accompanying all the leading lights of Hindustani classical music, including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit VG Jog, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj \u2013 and Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia.<\/p>\n

\u201cI played with Rakesh\u2019s uncle Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia a whole lot,\u201d said Hussain. \u201cRakesh is his nephew, his student and his heir apparent. I\u2019ve been playing with Rakesh for a few years.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a while now, I\u2019ve been bringing young Indian musical geniuses to various parts of the world. Rakesh is one of these. He\u2019s the next great flutist of India.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving played with his uncle for 35 years, I\u2019m familiar with his musicality. We can sit on a stage and find a common element. That\u2019s where our coming together becomes more seamless.\u201d<\/p>\n

Incorporating the tradition of his renowned uncle and infusing his personal style, Chaurasia has evolved a style which while maintaining the purity of the flute manages to capture the attention of the young listeners too. At the same time, he shows all the promise to carry the Chaurasia legacy to new heights.<\/p>\n

Chaurasia\u2019s flute has matched note and rhythm with wind instruments of other cultures as well as having performed \u201cjugalbandis\u201d with Carnatic and world-famous instrumentalists. His forte is in blending his flute without really losing its identity in mixed instruments\u2019 concerts.<\/p>\n

His most recent venture is his fusion band Rakesh and Friends (RAF) which creates music that appeals to the young without sacrificing the essence of classical music. Despite his experimental work, Rakesh has never deviated from his main goal of becoming a full-fledged classical musician.<\/p>\n

When the two Indian music greats perform together, they incorporate various styles starting with a classical raga.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we play together, we do a traditional Indian piece as the opening number,\u201d said Hussain. \u201cThen, we go into Indian folk and light classical music. Rakesh is equally comfortable with Indian classical and folk music \u2013 and also jazz.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show in Newark is a fund-raising event organized by the Bengali Association of Delaware Valley in support of Cry America.<\/p>\n

Video link for Zakir Hussain and Rakesh Chaurasia — https:\/\/youtu.be\/O2K0ptoYpuc<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Independence School will start at 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $50.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Big Daddy Graham and Joe Conklin<\/p><\/div>\n

On March 24, Point Entertainment will present \u201cTwo Funny Philly Guys\u201d featuring Big Daddy Graham and Joe Conklin at the Colonial Theatre (Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-\u00a0917-1228,\u00a0www.thecolonialtheatre.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Big Daddy Graham wanted to be a singer and now he has a career in which he gets to sing onstage \u2014 but not as he originally planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started in entertainment as a drummer in bands,\u201d said Graham, during a nt phone interview from his home in Philadelphia. \u201cI had a job as a paid actor for a few years, but I wanted to be a singer.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, I am doing singing \u2014 funny songs. If I\u2019m singing funny songs, it doesn\u2019t need a good singer \u2014 it\u2019s to make people laugh. At first, I was singing cabaret with a piano player. Some of the songs were parodies. I built up a following of people who wanted to laugh at me not with me.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround that time, comedy clubs were starting to explode. A guy from Comedy Factory Outlet booked me for two shows on Friday nights and two shows on Saturday. I liked that people came in and were quiet. In the clubs I worked before, it was hard to be heard over the crowd noise.<\/p>\n

John DiBella started hosting shows on Friday nights. I was doing a song called \u2018Nuns.\u2019 Philly being the Catholic town that it is, the song got popular. DiBella said he\u2019d play it on the radio. So, I recorded the song and it was a hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the right place at the right time. I became really popular in Philly. That\u2019s where it all started. Now, I do entire shows without any music at all.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because Graham is a comic who understands how to make Philly laugh. He does it onstage and on the airwaves. He is currently in his 20th year as a host on the sports talk radio station 94WIP, and hosts \u201cBig Daddy Graham\u2019s Classic Rock Throwdown\u201d on Wildfire Radio. As a comic, Graham has appeared on a number of networks including Showtime, A&E and MTV.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been working this area for 30 years an we\u2019re still selling tickets,\u201d said Graham. \u201cIn as business like this, you\u2019re constantly looking for a way to stay relevant.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was about nine years ago when the Borgata put the show together with me and Joe Conklin. They wanted to put me and Joe as headliners.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoe and I have been performing individually in this area for about 30 years. For some reason, putting these two names on a bill together makes people want to buy tickets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe only do about four shows a year and I\u2019m stunned at the amount of tickets we sell. I am honored that people still come to see us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Graham has found a good way to stay relevant.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never go onstage without 10 new jokes,\u201d said Graham. \u201cI take an index card out of my pocket and look at the joke \u2014 maybe it\u2019s only one word. Some do great and become a permanent part of the show. Some bomb and some get a mixed reception.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of the jokes are one-liners. For topical jokes, I take something tried-and-true and slip in something new \u2014 something topical. Joe does a lot of sports humor so I leave that to him. If I\u2019m working solo, I will do some sports stuff.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love working the Colonial. It\u2019s one of my favorites along with the Broadway Theater in Pitman, New Jersey and the Media Theater \u2014 three old-school venues that are really fun to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conklin has been a constant in Philadelphia radio for more than 20 years, with his spot-on impressions of Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Cole Hamels, Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, Harry Kalas, Bobby Clarke and many others. Fearless and hilarious, he skewers some of the country\u2019s top politicians, pro athletes, sports executives and film stars.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither Joe nor I are the headliner in this show,\u201d said Graham. \u201cWe flip-flop. One time, I\u2019ll go on first and Joe will follow. This year, I\u2019m closing the show. Next year, joe will go on second.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show at the Colonial Theatre will begin at 8 p.m.\u00a0Tickets are $35 (Gold Circle), $30 (Orchestra and Front Balcony) and $25 (Rear Balcony).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Lostboycrow<\/p><\/div>\n

Lostboycrow may have mystery surrounding his name but there is nothing mysterious about his music.<\/p>\n

He makes sincere music with its roots in R&B and its sensibilities adapted to the present with elements of rock and EDM (electronic dance music)<\/p>\n

On March 25, Lostboycrow will perform at the Voltage Lounge (421 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia, 215- 964-9602, www.voltagelounge.com<\/a>) as part of the \u201cSpin the Globe Part 2 Tour\u201d along with Prelow and Dysn.<\/p>\n

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Lostboycrow now calls Los Angeles home.<\/p>\n

The singer-songwriter-rocker is somewhat guarded about the origin and meaning of his less-than-ordinary name. It sounds almost like a Native American name, but LBC is just an American kid from an American town in the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took my name not long after I moved to L.A.,\u201d said Lostboycrow, during a phone interview Wednesday afternoon during a tour stop in Houston, Texas. \u201cIt marked a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lostboycrow<\/a> melds R&B, pop, and electronic music into a modern hybrid of relevant soul music. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he was into music as well as athletics, and joined the high school choir while listening to pop-punk, screamo, and classic rock.<\/p>\n

He brought all of these musical influences together as Lostboycrow<\/a> after moving to Los Angeles, and released his first track, \u201cAdolescent,\u201d in December 2014. The following year, he issued a string of singles, including \u201cHiyHiy,\u201d \u201cStart Something,\u201d and \u201cSay You Want Me.\u201d<\/p>\n

His debut EP, \u201cSigh for Me,\u201d was released in 2016 followed by the singles \u201cWhere Is All Goes,\u201d \u201cStay a Little Longer,\u201d \u201cThursday,\u201d and \u201cVerona.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI went to L.A. for music,\u201d said Lostboycrow. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t much in Portland. I definitely recorded as much as I could in Portland. \u00a0I was working with other people and they wanted to move. L.A. felt like a real home after three months.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lostboycrow\u2019s current recording project is a trilogy of EPs \u2013 \u201cTraveler: The First Legend,\u201d \u201cTraveler: The Second Legend,\u201d and the recently-released \u201cTraveler: The Third Legend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trilogy started after I moved to L.A. a couple years ago,\u201d said Lostboycrow. \u201cI wanted to make an album and have a ton of songs that were connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to keep the model of releasing singles consistently while still being an artist creating a body of work with depth and cohesiveness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the trilogy, I always intended there to be three from the beginning. The thread is me and the way I write songs. The three legends are filters odf the story of what was going on in my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lostboycrow\u2019s mellifluous vocals are definitely a major force behind his popularity \u2013 bit so is his songwriting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith songwriting, I\u2019m always gathering ideas,\u201d said Lostboycrow. \u201cThe subconscious is often the best creator. I have a bunch of ideas going constantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy songwriting is different for every song. I like to go in the studio with lyrics and some melodies. After I\u2019ve worked on them, I go off by myself and focus more on the lyrics.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked about his current musical direction, he replied that it was a tough question to answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I just want to focus on making music that is sincere to who I am,\u201d said Lostboycrow. \u201cI\u2019m more focused on lyrics and melody driving the song. You\u2019re going to start seeing more lyrically-driven songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the EDM element, I like to have fun and it\u2019s fun making music like that. But, it\u2019s not where my head is at \u2013 at least not at the moment. I just recorded a new album in Santa Fe, New Mexico and you\u2019ll see the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Lostboycrow \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZrLBhfRDWOA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSpin the Globe Part 2 Tour\u201d at the Voltage Lounge will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times On March 24, area music fans will have the opportunity to hear one of the legendary masters of Indian classical music perform live in concert with one of India\u2019s emerging new luminaries. Zakir Hussain, a master percussionist in North Indian Hindustani classical music, is recognized as the world\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[11028,7426,11029,11027],"class_list":["post-38901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-big-daddy-graham-and-joe-conklin","tag-featured","tag-lostboycrow","tag-zakir-hussain"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38901"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38901\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38902,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38901\/revisions\/38902"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}