Zakir Hussain has indeed passed away

I saw him perform maybe…a dozen times?  I was set to go again this spring, and would have kept on going for as long as possible.  His two concerts with Shakti I attended were among the very best of my life.  No video clip can do justice to percussion, unfortunately.  He also seemed so young, and so alive.  He was such a magnet for the talent and efforts of others, and radiated that with every movement and word onstage.  If you wanted to study the connection between charisma and talent, he would be Exhibit A.  And how many other people have had a plausible claim to be the world’s greatest musician?

I am sad to hear of his passing.  He was always in motion, and it seems not exactly right to wish him to “rest in peace.”