Nishat Khan and David Murray in concert at the Rio Theater
Nishat Khan in concert at the Rio Theater
Written by UC Santa Cruz | Institute of the Arts and Sciences
About the Performers:
Nishat Khan is an Indian sitar player from an illustrious musical family and the foremost sitar virtuoso of his generation. With the strike of a single, unmistakable note, the sound of Nishat Khan’s sitar instantly captivates and transforms one’s mood. Listeners are transported to another realm by sight and sound unlike any other. As the current torchbearer of the most recorded musical family in the world, seven generations of wisdom reside in his fingertips. While grounded in centuries of tradition, Nishat forges his own signature sound, unfolding with emotional contrasts and surprises at every turn. Nishat gave his first public concert at age 7 and has lived and toured all over the world continuously since age 13. His unique cosmopolitan perspective has inspired a great sensitivity and connection to musical philosophies of the world. As a composer and music producer he has collaborated with some of the world's leading musicians such as Larry Coryell, Paco Peña, John McLaughlin, and Gregorian choir Vox Clamantis. In 2021 he premiered his composition for members of the Royal family, a sitar-cello duet with one of the world's leading artists, Sheku Kanneh-Mason.
David Murray is an American jazz saxophonist and composer who performs mostly on tenor and bass clarinet. He has recorded prolifically for many record labels since the mid-1970s. He was initially influenced by free jazz musicians such as Albert Ayler and Archie Shepp. He gradually evolved a more diverse style in his playing and compositions. Murray set himself apart from most tenor players of his generation by not taking John Coltrane as his model, choosing instead to incorporate elements of mainstream players Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster and Paul Gonsalves into his mature style. Despite this, he recorded a tribute to Coltrane, Octet Plays Trane, in 1999. He played a set with the Grateful Dead at a show on September 22, 1993, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. His 1996 tribute to the Grateful Dead, Dark Star, was also critically well received. Murray was a founding member of the World Saxophone Quartet with Oliver Lake, Julius Hemphill and Hamiet Bluiett. He has recorded and performed with musicians such as Henry Threadgill, James Blood Ulmer, Olu Dara, Tani Tabbal, Butch Morris, Donal Fox, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Sunny Murray (no relation), Ed Blackwell, Johnny Dyani, Fred Hopkins, and Steve McCall.
