The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts at the University of British Columbia (UBC) presents Crosscurrents, a collaboration by virtuoso musicians Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland on October 28 at 8pm in the Chan Shun Concert Hall. Hussain, the world’s foremost tabla master, joins forces with Holland – bandleader, composer, and 2017 NEA Jazz Master bassist – alongside a stellar quintet including saxophonist Chris Potter and vocalist Shankar Mahadevan. Together, the ensemble will explore the fascinating artistic intersections between jazz and Indian music, and bridge two genres seemingly worlds apart.
“We look forward to welcoming back audience favourite Zakir Hussain, and presenting Dave Holland for the first time,” says Joyce Hinton, Co-Managing Director of the Chan Centre. “These two are such brilliant and inspiring artists in their own right. Having the opportunity to host a ‘meeting of the minds’ between them is really an honour. There is a lot of shared ground between jazz and the music of India, which lays the groundwork for exciting musical experimentation.”
Performing as part of Crosscurrents will be New York’s acclaimed saxophonist Chris Potter. A GRAMMY-nominated soloist named “One of the most studied (and copied) saxophonists on the planet” by DownBeat magazine, Potter’s impressive discography includes 15 albums as a leader and more than 100 albums as a sideman. Alongside Potter will be Shankar Mahadevan. Considered among the greatest Indian vocalists performing today, and known as the voice of “every Tamil hero”, Mahadevan is also one of Bollywood’s most illustrious film composers.
Crosscurrents will also feature Louiz Banks (keyboards), nicknamed the “Godfather of Indian Jazz” who can be heard on the GRAMMY-nominated album Miles from India (2008); self-taught virtuoso Sanjay Divecha (guitar) who spent 15 years touring with such stars as Angelique Kidjo and Carlos Santana, and Gino Banks (drums) who has played with classical greats Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Rashid Khan, among others.
Chan Centre Connects Events (chancentre.com/connects)
A series of ancillary events programmed in conjunction with Chan Centre performances, exploring the role of arts and artists in society.
• Film Screening: Katyar Kaljat Ghunsali – Thursday October 19, 2017, 7pm @ The Cinematheque (1131 Howe St.), Vancouver. Presented by the Chan Centre in partnership with The Cinematheque, this musical drama tells of a longstanding rivalry between two Hindustani classical singers. Starring Mumbai-based singer Shankar Mahadevan.
• Pre-Show Talk – Saturday, October 28, 2017, 7:15pm @ Royal Bank Cinema, The Chan Centre. UBC School of Music faculty member Fred Stride talks about the rich history of cross-cultural connections between jazz and the music of India.
Chan Centre presents Zakir Hussain and Dave Holland: Crosscurrents
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 8pm
Ticket prices: From $46
Address: Chan Centre for the Performing Arts University of British Columbia 6265 Crescent Road, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Box Office: 604-822-2697 / chancentre.com
In person at the Chan Centre ticket office
Open Tue-Sat, 12pm-5pm
Website: chancentre.com