Cassius Khan
Encyclopedia
Cassius Khan is an Indian classical
musician known for playing the tabla
and Ghazal
while singing.
, Khan met Mushtari Begum, a Ghazal singer, Sheikh Mohyudean, a harmonium
/ Qawaali singer, and Ustad Rukhsar Ali, a tabla
player. He subsequently began lessons with these musicians and would later combine his musical disciplines. Khan mastered the ability to sing Ghazal and play the tabla simultaneously which garnered him attention in the Indian classical music world. Khan's repertoire also include the Tarrannum Gayaki while playing the tabla.
Khan's early career met with limited success after the recording and international tour of his first album "Cassius Khan-The Young Tabla/Ghazal Wizard." Khan states because of his young age he was taken advantage of by his manager and did not secure the rights to his albums or financial gains.
He would continue on to college and university to earn a BA and had thoughts of pursuing a career in law. Ultimately he decided to stick to music. He toured the folk festival scene in North America
, South Pacific
, Europe
and South America
soloing and collaborating with artists of various genres from around the world as both a tabla player and vocalist.
In 2001, Khan composed "Asia Music" for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics
under the guidance of composer Jan Randall
. The piece he composed gained him international recognition as a composer.
Khan's second album was with the late Darcy Greaves called "Angel of Sevilla" (1995). Following recordings included "I Feel Love Again" (2002) with Pavlo, "Mani Licks" (2002) with Dan Mani, "A Demon's Dream" (2002) with Dave Martone, and "The Alchemists" (2002) with Dave Martone. In 2005, Khan was invited to perform Ghazal and a tabla solo recital at the National Arts Centre
in Ottawa
as part of Alberta Scene. Khan was invited by the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival
to present his first classical Ghazal and tabla recital concert in 2006.
In 2008, Khan was also among few selected out of 8,000 applicants to showcase Ghazal/Tabla at South by Southwest
in Austin
, Texas
in 2008. That same year he was invited to perform at the Juno Awards in Calgary
. The following year Khan was a featured artist for the Canadian Music Week
. Khan's recordings were also selected for the Japan Trade Mission in 2009.
In later 2009, Khan fired his representation, "The Yarlowe Artist Group" on the grounds of theft, fraud and career jeopardization.
Khan's newest Ghazal album "Mushtari, a live concert" released in 2010, was nominated for World album of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) and was a tribute to his guru and teacher, the late Mushtari Begum, with a selection of choice classical Ghazals and a tabla solo recital. Khan has also released a tabla solo single titled "Sparks Of Energy" in 2011.
Other selected collaborations include "Dark Clouds" (2006) with jazz pianist Stu Goldberg and "Soundcurrent" with Kelly Dean and Franny Kumar. Khan collaborated with slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine
to record "Mystic Bridge" in which Khan and McIlwaine were invited to Juno Fest to perform numbers from the album.
Khan has also accompanied Mohan Veena
, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
, Ustad Majid Qiyam, Ustad Aashish Khan Debsharma, Maihar Gharana, Sashi Roy, and is working on a classical Indian duo with Satvick Veena exponent Salil Bhatt.
Khan was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the City of Edmonton
for his work in Indian classical music.
, to Muslim
parents, Naimatullah and Razia Khan. He has one brother and one sister. His family moved to Canada
in 1974 for 9 years to return to Fiji for a short stint of 3 years and later returned to Canada in 1987.
Khan is also an avid Mercedes Benz diesel enthusiast, and has owned a number of the 300D models. His trademark Mercedes is a 1976 115 300D. Mercedes Benz had offered to sponsor Khan's concert career.
Khan lives in New Westminster, British Columbia
. He is married to Kathak
dancer Amika Kushwaha in 2006. She is also a harmonium player who accompanies Khan in his Ghazal/tabla concerts.
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
musician known for playing the tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
and Ghazal
Ghazal
The ghazal is a poetic form consisting of rhyming couplets and a refrain, with each line sharing the same meter. A ghazal may be understood as a poetic expression of both the pain of loss or separation and the beauty of love in spite of that pain. The form is ancient, originating in 6th century...
while singing.
Career
In VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Khan met Mushtari Begum, a Ghazal singer, Sheikh Mohyudean, a harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
/ Qawaali singer, and Ustad Rukhsar Ali, a tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
player. He subsequently began lessons with these musicians and would later combine his musical disciplines. Khan mastered the ability to sing Ghazal and play the tabla simultaneously which garnered him attention in the Indian classical music world. Khan's repertoire also include the Tarrannum Gayaki while playing the tabla.
Khan's early career met with limited success after the recording and international tour of his first album "Cassius Khan-The Young Tabla/Ghazal Wizard." Khan states because of his young age he was taken advantage of by his manager and did not secure the rights to his albums or financial gains.
He would continue on to college and university to earn a BA and had thoughts of pursuing a career in law. Ultimately he decided to stick to music. He toured the folk festival scene in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, South Pacific
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
soloing and collaborating with artists of various genres from around the world as both a tabla player and vocalist.
In 2001, Khan composed "Asia Music" for the IAAF World Championships in Athletics
IAAF World Championships in Athletics
The World Championships in Athletics is an event organized by the International Association of Athletics Federations . Originally, it was organised every four years, but this changed in 1991, and it has since been organised biennially.-History:...
under the guidance of composer Jan Randall
Jan Randall
Canadian composer Jan Randall is known primarily for his work in television and theatre. A pianist and singer, he has composed chamber music and songs in a wide variety of contemporary styles.Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1952...
. The piece he composed gained him international recognition as a composer.
Khan's second album was with the late Darcy Greaves called "Angel of Sevilla" (1995). Following recordings included "I Feel Love Again" (2002) with Pavlo, "Mani Licks" (2002) with Dan Mani, "A Demon's Dream" (2002) with Dave Martone, and "The Alchemists" (2002) with Dave Martone. In 2005, Khan was invited to perform Ghazal and a tabla solo recital at the National Arts Centre
National Arts Centre
The National Arts Centre is a centre for the performing arts located in Ottawa, Ontario, between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
as part of Alberta Scene. Khan was invited by the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival
Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival
The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival is a three-day music festival that has six stages and over 45 artists that are from Canada and the world...
to present his first classical Ghazal and tabla recital concert in 2006.
In 2008, Khan was also among few selected out of 8,000 applicants to showcase Ghazal/Tabla at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
in Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in 2008. That same year he was invited to perform at the Juno Awards in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
. The following year Khan was a featured artist for the Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
. Khan's recordings were also selected for the Japan Trade Mission in 2009.
In later 2009, Khan fired his representation, "The Yarlowe Artist Group" on the grounds of theft, fraud and career jeopardization.
Khan's newest Ghazal album "Mushtari, a live concert" released in 2010, was nominated for World album of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) and was a tribute to his guru and teacher, the late Mushtari Begum, with a selection of choice classical Ghazals and a tabla solo recital. Khan has also released a tabla solo single titled "Sparks Of Energy" in 2011.
Other selected collaborations include "Dark Clouds" (2006) with jazz pianist Stu Goldberg and "Soundcurrent" with Kelly Dean and Franny Kumar. Khan collaborated with slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine
Ellen McIlwaine
Ellen McIlwaine is an American singer-songwriter and musician best known for her career as a slide guitarist.-Biography:...
to record "Mystic Bridge" in which Khan and McIlwaine were invited to Juno Fest to perform numbers from the album.
Khan has also accompanied Mohan Veena
Mohan veena
The Mohan veena is a stringed musical instrument used in Indian classical music. It derives its name from its inventor Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt...
, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt also known as V. M. Bhatt is an Indian slide guitar player. Bhatt is the creator of the Mohan Veena...
, Ustad Majid Qiyam, Ustad Aashish Khan Debsharma, Maihar Gharana, Sashi Roy, and is working on a classical Indian duo with Satvick Veena exponent Salil Bhatt.
Khan was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the City of Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
for his work in Indian classical music.
Personal life
Khan was born in Lautoka, FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, to Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
parents, Naimatullah and Razia Khan. He has one brother and one sister. His family moved to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1974 for 9 years to return to Fiji for a short stint of 3 years and later returned to Canada in 1987.
Khan is also an avid Mercedes Benz diesel enthusiast, and has owned a number of the 300D models. His trademark Mercedes is a 1976 115 300D. Mercedes Benz had offered to sponsor Khan's concert career.
Khan lives in New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
. He is married to Kathak
Kathak
Kathak is one of the eight forms of Indian classical dances, originated from Uttar Pradesh, India. This dance form traces its origins to the nomadic bards of ancient northern India, known as Kathaks, or storytellers...
dancer Amika Kushwaha in 2006. She is also a harmonium player who accompanies Khan in his Ghazal/tabla concerts.
External links
- http://www.cassiuskhan.com