Rackham Auditorium
Third Coast Percussion and Salar Nader, tabla
Murmurs in Time
$15-20 student tickets available
For nearly 20 years, Chicago-based Third Coast Percussion has forged a unique path in the musical landscape with virtuosic, energetic performances that celebrate the extraordinary depth and breadth of musical possibilities in the world of percussion. The dazzling ensemble has been praised for “commandingly elegant” (The New York Times) performances, the “rare power” (The Washington Post) of their recordings, and “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity.” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
Third Coast Percussion commissioned the late Zakir Hussain to compose Murmurs In Time, a major new work that combines the beauty and complexity of Hindustani classical music with the singular sound world of Third Coast Percussion. Salar Nader, a renowned tabla virtuoso and disciple of Hussain, will perform the piece with Third Coast Percussion as a tribute to the composer’s profound legacy. This special concert presentation also includes newly commissioned works from acclaimed composer/performers Jessie Montgomery, Tigran Hamasyan, and Jlin, as well as a solo tabla performance by Nader in honor of Hussain.
Third Coast Percussion and Zakir Hussain were originally scheduled to share the stage together on this presentation. Tragically, Hussain passed away in San Francisco on December 15, 2024, at age 73.
PROGRAM (Sun 2/23/2025: Rackham Auditorium)
Jlin Please Be Still
Jessie Montgomery Lady Justice
Tigran Hamasyan Sonata for Percussion
Zakir Hussain Murmurs in Time
Thank You to Our Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
- Max Wicha and Sheila Crowley
Buy Tickets
Third Coast Percussion and Salar Nader, tabla
Murmurs in Time
Rackham Auditorium
Starting at $30 (+ fees)
$15-20 student tickets available
CHOOSE A PERFORMANCE:
Buy Student TicketsOr call the ticket office at 734-764-2538
* Student, Senior and Group Discounts may be available
Third Coast Percussion (TCP) is a GRAMMY® Award-winning Chicago-based percussion quartet and GRAMMY®-nominated composer collective that made history as the first percussion ensemble to win the revered music award in the classical genre. To date, they have gathered seven total nominations. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, TCP is renowned worldwide for its exciting and unexpected performances that constantly redefine the classical music experience and “push percussion in new directions, blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners” (NPR), with a brilliantly varied sonic palette and “dazzling rhythmic workouts” (Pitchfork).
Salar Nader is one of the most sought-after young percussionists of his generation. He was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1981 to Afghan parents forced to flee their home during the Russian-Afghan war. Nader was just five-years-old when his family settled in the San Francisco, Bay Area. At the age of seven, he began studying with the legendary tabla virtuoso Ustad Zakir Hussain. Nader already played tabla and was familiar with the basic rhythms of Afghan and Indian folk and pop music. He began classical training early, first concentrating on the spoken rhythmic language of North Indian percussion, tabla bols. “It was like learning a new language,” he recalled. “I spoke Farsi at home, English outside, Tabla at night with my lesson book.”
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