NEW DELHI (AP) — Zakir Hussain, one of India's most accomplished classical musicians who defied genres and introduced tabla to global audiences, died on Sunday. He was 73.
The Indian classical music icon died from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease, at a hospital in San Francisco, his family said in a statement.
“His prolific work as a teacher, mentor and educator has left an indelible mark on countless musicians. He hoped to inspire the next generation to go further. He leaves behind an unparalleled legacy as a cultural ambassador and one of the greatest musicians of all time,” the statement read.
Hussain was the most recognizable exponent of tabla, a pair of hand drums that is the main percussion instrument in Indian classical music.
Considered the greatest tabla player of his generation, Hussain had a career that spanned six decades in which he collaborated with the likes of singer-songwriter George Harrison, jazz saxophonist Charles Lloyd, drummer Mickey Hart and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
The son of legendary tabla artist Alla Rakha, Hussain was born in 1951 in Mumbai and was taught how to play the instrument by his father at the age of 7. A child prodigy, he was touring by age 12 and performing alongside India’s classical music legends during his teens.
In an interview that was shared widely on social media in India, Hussain says his father welcomed him into the world after he was born by speaking tabla rhythms into his ears.
“I was brought home, handed over to my dad in his arms. The tradition was that the father is supposed to recite a prayer in the baby’s ear ... So he takes me in his arms, puts his lips to my ear and recites the tabla rhythms into my ears,” Hussain says in the interview, verbally imitating the rhythmic pattern of the instrument.
Both Alla Rakha and Hussain were given the honorific “Ustad,” an Urdu word that means master.
In 1973, Hussain formed the Indian jazz fusion band “Shakti” with jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The band played acoustic fusion music that combined Indian music with elements of jazz, introducing a new sound to Western audiences.
In 2024, Hussain became the first musician from India to win three Grammy awards in the same year.
Hussain’s “Shakti” won Best Global Music Album, and his collaboration with Edgar Meyer, Béla Fleck and flutist Rakesh Chaurasia won Best Global Music Performance and Best Contemporary Instrumental Album. He had earlier won a Grammy in 2009.
In 2023, Hussain received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
Hussain is survived by his wife and two daughters.
FILE - Indian drum maestro Zakir Hussain performs at the "Living Dream Concert" in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi, File)
FILE - Indian Tabla expert Zakir Hussain laughs during a press conference to announce a musical concert in Mumbai, India, on Dec 8, 2006. (AP Photo/Rajesh Nirgude, File)
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — By adding Dennis Schroder, the Golden State Warriors believe they have found the perfect backcourt mate to complement Stephen Curry.
Curry can't wait to get going in what he expects to be a “seamless transition for him.”
“It can help me, it can help us,” Curry said. “What helps me helps us.”
Golden State landed Schroder in a trade with Brooklyn finalized Sunday that sends injured guard De’Anthony Melton and guard Reece Beekman to the Nets.
The Warriors are looking forward to seeing Schroder on both ends, attacking the basket and bringing a much-needed intense defensive dynamic.
“I just love his competitive nature, he's got that Dawg in him and you can kind of tell,” Curry said. “He doesn't talk that much but he's very animated and I've never not seen him in the moment trying to rip-your-head-off type vibe. I like that.”
Schroder is expected to join the team Monday to undergo his physical and have a couple of practices ahead of Thursday's game at Memphis.
“I’m thrilled. I told Dennis today he’s kicked my (butt) on three different continents,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “You can’t beat ‘em, join ’em — ’22 playoffs I thought he was brilliant against us with the Lakers. Watching him in FIBA the last two summers, Philippines and we played them in London in an exhibition game. He’s a gamer, he’s a competitor, pick-and-roll player, two-way player.”
Kerr said he and his staff will discuss Schroder's role but considers him a likely starter considering “we've been changing our starting lineup almost nightly, searching.”
The trade was agreed to Saturday. League rules didn't allow the trade to become official until Sunday, when Melton's contract became eligible to be moved.
Also in the trade: a slew of second-round draft picks. Golden State will receive a second-rounder next year (a top-37-protected pick that originally belonged to Miami) and Brooklyn gets three second-rounders — in 2026 and 2028 (both via Atlanta) and Golden State's pick in 2029.
Schroder averaged 18.4 points and 6.6 assists this season for the Nets, who are 10th in the Eastern Conference. But the trade doesn't give them much in the way of on-court help this year: Melton is out for the remainder of the season while recovering from surgery to repair his left ACL.
“Losing Melt was a huge loss,” Kerr said. “I want to say thanks to De'Anthony and Reece Beekman for everything — their contributions, their commitment, their effort. It's always hard to trade guys and we wish them both well. But you've got to do what you've got to do to get better and this was a move that we felt made perfect sense, so he will fill what Melt was doing for us in terms of being able to play on or off the ball, excellent defender, long wingspan. He's a steals guy, forced turnovers, pace, everything that we need we feel like he can provide.”
Beekman scored two points in two appearances with Golden State this season.
The move gives the Warriors, who enter Sunday fifth in the Western Conference at 14-10, another shooter to pair alongside all-time 3-point leader Curry. Schroder is making 2.5 3-pointers per game this season and shooting 39% from beyond the arc — both career bests.
Golden State becomes Schroder's eighth team in 12 NBA seasons. He had stints with Atlanta, Oklahoma City, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston, Toronto and Houston before joining the Nets. He also helped lead Germany to the 2023 Basketball World Cup title.
“It's a great pickup for the Warriors,” Dallas coach Jason Kidd said, “a veteran who understands how to win.”
AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this story.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder reacts after scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Brooklyn Nets' Dennis Schroder, left, looks to shoots over Milwaukee Bucks' Brook Lopez, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
