GEMARTS MASALA FESTIVAL:
Ashraf Sharif Khan (sitar) with Shabaz Hussain (tabla)

Date: Wednesday 18^th July
Time: 8pm
Venue: Sage Two, Sage Gateshead
Box Office: 0191 443 4661
Book Online: www.sagegateshead.com


Ashraf Sharif Khan is the son of sitar master Ustad Muhammad Sharif Khan Poonchwala, and like his father and grandfather, Ashraf Sharif Khan belongs to the illustrious Poonch Gharana school of traditional sitar.

Ashraf's music combines an astonishing technical proficiency with perfection in musical expression. The melodic beauty of his style, accentuated by his dynamic rhythmic development and the virtuoso technique produce a unique musical experience.

In 2015 Ashraf was presented with a lifetime achievement award from the All Pakistan Music Conference and was awarded with the Presidents Pride of Performance Award from the Govt of Pakistan in 2017.

Shahbaz Hussain is regarded as the leading Tabla virtuosos of his generation.

Shahbaz began Tabla with his father, the late Ustad Mumtaz Hussain – a prominent vocalist, and went on to study with Tabla legends Ustad Faiyaz Khan from the Delhi Gharana (school), the late Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan from the Punjab Gharana and finally the late Ustad Allah Rakha Khan. 

Shahbaz is an extremely versatile Tabla player, and his solo performances have gained great recognition all over the world. He is highly sought after for his accompaniment skills by many of the great master musicians of India and Pakistan. He has performed in many prestigious venues, including the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C., Lincoln Center in New York and London's Royal Albert & Queen Elizabeth Halls.

Shahbaz is also passionate about passing on his knowledge, and regularly teaches across the country, including at the University of Newcastle and the University of Huddersfield.



Presented by GemArts with Sage Gateshead.

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