Shakti: 50th TourFollowingFollow11 Followers

Shakti Music Ensemble is a fusion band formed by English guitarist John McLaughlin and Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain in 1974. They are considered pioneers of world music and have influenced many musicians across genres. They have released four albums, the latest one being This Moment, which came out in June 2023.

They are known for their creative intelligence, beauty, and power, which is the meaning of their name in Hindi. They also represent a fusion of the Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions, as Hussain is from the north region of India while the other Indian members are from the south.

They celebrate their 50th anniversary with a world tour, including India, Europe, and the United States. They have performed at prestigious venues and festivals, such as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo, and the JAZZx Festival. They have received critical acclaim and recognition for their innovative and expressive music.

The current members of the Shakti Music Ensemble are:

John McLaughlin: The mastermind behind the band, he is one of the most influential guitarists ever. He has collaborated with legends such as Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, and Paco de Lucia. He is known for his virtuosity, versatility, and creativity on the guitar. He plays both acoustic and electric guitars with equal flair and finesse.

Zakir Hussain: The heartbeat of the band, he is one of the most celebrated tabla players in the world. He has collaborated with artists such as George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, Yo-Yo Ma, and Herbie Hancock. He is known for his rhythmic complexity, improvisational skills, and musical sensitivity on the tabla. He plays both solo and ensemble pieces with equal grace and gusto.

Shankar Mahadevan: The voice of the band, he is one of the most popular singers in India. He has sung for hundreds of Bollywood movies and composed music for many of them. He is known for his vocal range, versatility, and emotion on the microphone. He sings both classical and contemporary songs with equal charm and charisma.

Ganesh Rajagopalan: The band's melody; he is one of the most talented violinists in India. He has performed with artists such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj, and Dr. L. Subramaniam. He is known for his melodic creativity, technical proficiency, and musical expression on the violin. He plays both Carnatic and Hindustani styles with equal skill and spirit.

Selvaganesh Vinayakram: The band's groove, he is one of the most innovative percussionists in India. He is the son of T. H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, one of the original members of the Shakti Music Ensemble. He plays the ghatam, a clay pot instrument that produces a variety of sounds and tones. He is known for his groove-oriented playing, rhythmic diversity, and musical interaction on the ghatam.