So there’s that and when I start working with musicians that whole thing comes into play, its not just only about “what song are we going to play” or “what riff are we going to do, which time cycle”, its not just that, its about our interaction together as human beings. There is a way musicians live, there is a way the musicians interact, there is a way they are respectful to each other or their conversations and interactions are governed through this particular way of living, of existing and of course a mutual respect and reverence for the art form that they represent. Zakir – When you are growing up in a family of musicians or like when your father is your teacher and day in day out there are many students around and you’re all listening to music, you somehow start to relate your way of life vis-à-vis through the protocols of music, if I may say so, I’m trying to find the best way to explain it. Given that the improvisational experience is one of exploration, is this what guides you in exploring new territory such as you’re doing with Dave Holland? I wonder if you can talk a little bit about how your improvisation or how your artistic journey is informed by improvisation. Sal - Rungh Magazine, for whom I am conducting this interview, has a sophisticated audience of some very discerning music listeners with a rather eclectic world view.
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I have also observed your role as one of the leaders of that transformation, I want to thank you and urge you to continue this important work. Sal - I have watched with great interest the transformation of the world music scene since the early 1970s and the many deep roots that individuals and often quite different traditions have established roots in and around the world. That relief was such that the concert was like whew, it was great. Luckily one of the musicians who had still not received his Canadian visa until, like almost the morning of the show, made it.
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The interaction and connection between the musicians was fabulous. Zakir - The show went very well, we had a lovely concert. How did you feel about the performance at the Chan?
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You just concluded a performance at Vancouver’s Chan Centre concert hall with Dave Holland and the Cross Currents ensemble. I have been a fan of you for many years and have followed the distinctive and inspiring collaborations that you have forged with so many musicians around the globe.