Cassius Khan From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Cassius Khan ( June 7th 1974- ) is the only known Indian Classical musician in the world who has combined Tabla playing and Ghazal singing simultaneously, thus a remarkable feat in the Indian Classical music scene. He is a recognized pioneer for his unique contribution to Indian Music. Born in Lautoka, Fiji Islands to Muslim parents Naimatullah and Razia Khan, his family moved to Canada in 1974 and moved back to Fiji Islands in 1983 at the age of nine, and returned in 1987. He met his teachers in Vancouver, BC, Canada, emminent Ghazal singer Mushtari Begum ( Dec 25th 1934-March 14th 2004) who received the title "Malika-e Ghazal" ( Queen Of Ghazal) in 1973 by the Indian High Consulate, Harmonium/Qawaali singer Sheikh Mohyudean (1920- ) and Tabla player Ustad Rukhsar Ali (1945-) and started learning Ghazal singing, Harmonium playing, and Tabla playing. Playing the Tabla requires immense skill and concentration, and Tabla players usually are able to articulate only Tabla playing in their skill. Khan, however, had the ability to sing Ghazals and play Tabla simultaneously, therefore making him a unique contribution to Indian Classical Music. Many revered musicians of India have agreed that Khan is the only musician in the world who is able to blend both aspects seamlessly. It is also a rare treat for audiences to be treated with a Ghazal recital and a full Tabla solo recital by the same artist in their concert. Khan's other greatest attribute is that he renders the "Tarrannum Gayaki" or recitational style of Ghazal singing while playing the Tabla which is a phenomenon in itself. ( The "Tarranum Gayaki" involves the vocalist playing the timing sequence, taking longer measurements before arriving at the "sum point" or the first beat of the rhythm cycle. Most vocalists find this style very difficult because of the confusion on the spaces with the tabla.Tabla players also find it difficult to accompany a vocalist with this style). At a young age Khan recorded his first album "Cassius Khan, Young Tabla Wizard-A live Tabla Solo" and sold an undisclosed amount of copies while embarking on an international tour. His manager at the time took all the rights to the album and Khan did not earn a penny. Bad promoters plagued his career as a musician in his early stages. Most managers took advantage of the "Young Tabla Wizard" and stole money from his concert earnings and contracts. Khan had to start his career over with a clean slate. Money was always tight, as thousands of dollars were taken right under his nose with these bad promoters. After completing his BA from college, Khan decided not to take a career in Law and focused only on improving his tabla playing and singing. He started touring the folk festival scene in North America as a collaborater with artists of all world genres. He also lent his voice and hands in world, pop, funk, alternative, heavy metal, country, bluegrass, and rock music. In 2001, Khan composed the "Asia" Music for the World Track and Field Championships under the guidance of composer Jan Randall. The piece he composed gained him international recognition as a composer. Khan's first album in world music was with the Late D"arcy Greaves called "Angel of Sevilla." (1995) and has never looked back, collaborating and recording onwards with hundreds of musicians around the world. In 2005, Khan was the only Indian solo artist invited to perform Ghazals and a tabla solo recital at the prestigious Albertascene Festival in the nation's capital, Ottawa. His concert was received with rave reviews in the nearly packed National Arts Centre. After years of performance in collaboration, Khan was invited by the Salmon Arm Folk Festival to present his very first Classical Ghazal and Tabla recital concert in any Canadian Folk Festival in 2006. It was a momentous occasion for the young maestro who dedicated his life to the Ghazal. In 2008, Khan was also selected to perform at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin,Texas. He was the very first Ghazal/Tabla artist to be showcased in this festival. In 2009, Khan was the first Ghazal/Tabla artist to be featured at Canada Music Week. Later on that year, his recordings were selected by the Japan Trade Mission. In recognition of his outstanding contributions of Indian Classial music, Cassius Khan was awarded the "SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARD" by the City of Edmonton for bringing honour and prestige to his country. The Ghazal album, "Mushtari" released in 2010, is a tribute to his guru and teacher, the late Mushtari Begum, with a selection of choice Classical Ghazals and a Tabla solo recital. Cassius Khan is married to Kathak dancer Amika Kushwaha in 2006, who is also a brilliant Harmonium player who accompanies Khan in his Ghazal/Tabla solo concerts. Select Discography Sparks Of Energy: Tabla Solo LIVE-Cassius Khan/Amika Kushwaha ( Indian) 2011 *Mushtari- a live concert - Cassius Khan (Indian) 2010* 20,000 Miles- Slide To Freedom: Doug Cox/Salil Bhatt/Cassius Khan 2011 (Blues/Indian) Young Tabla Wizard, A Live Tabla Solo- Cassius Khan MHK/HMV India ( Indian) 1987 Angel of Sevilla - D"Arcy Greaves,( Spanish) Cassius Khan 1995 Mani Licks - Dan Mani, Cassius Khan (Heavy Metal) 2002 I Feel Love Again - Pavlo (Mediterranean) 2002 A Demon's Dream - Dave Martone ( Guitar Rock) 2002 The Alchemists - 27 Tracks of Guitar Wizardry 2002 Dark Clouds - Stu Goldberg and Cassius Khan ( Jazz/Indian) 2006 Mystic Bridge - Ellen McIlwaine with Cassius Khan ( Blues/Roots/World) 2006 External links http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=115593 http://www.mehfilmagazine.com/spotlight.html http://www. cassiuskhan.com www.myspace.com/cassiuskhanmusic www.youtube.com/cassiuskhanmusic http://www.albertascene.ca/en/events/eventDetails.asp?eventID=73 http://www.seemagazine.com/Issues/2004/0205/mus7.htm http://69.94.121.237/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=7908 Categories: 1974 births | Living people | Indian musicians | Ghazal singers | Read more on Last.fm. 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