Schedule of Residency Events
Spring 2023
Workshop with the Jazz Ensemble
Wednesday, April 19 | 5:30 & 7:30 PM | Logan Center Penthouse, 915 E. 60th St.
Amjad Ali Khan joins the Jazz Ensemble and Director Michael Allemana for an interactive workshop with the musicians in the ensemble.
The public is invited to attend and observe.
On the Intersections between Hindustani and Jazz Music, moderated by Varshini Narayanan
Thursday, April 20 | 4:30 PM | Classics 110, 1010 E. 50th St.
Department of Music PhD student Varshini Narayanan moderates a conversation between Amjad Ali Khan, Michael Allemana, and the musicians of the jazz ensemble, on the intersections of Hindustani and jazz music.
Free admission.
Amjad Ali Khan's Samaagam with USO Chamber Ensemble
Saturday, April 22 / 7:30 p.m. / Logan Center for the Arts – 915 E. 60th St.
A select chamber ensemble drawn from the full University Symphony Orchestra will collaborate with 2023 Don Michael Randel Artist-in-Residence Amjad Ali Khan to present the renowned sarod master’s Samaagam, a “cross-cultural concerto” for sarod and chamber orchestra that was commissioned in 2011 by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. In Sanskrit, the word samaagam refers to a confluence or flowing together, and the musical substance of Maestro Khan’s fascinating musical creation demonstrates just that. Amjad Ali Khan will be joined by his sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, both sarod masters in their own right, for this very special performance.
Free admission.
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Autumn 2022
Indian Classical Music: A Way of Life
Thursday, October 13, 2022 / 5:30 p.m. / International House – 1414 E. 59th St.
Presented as part of the Global Voices Performing Arts & Lecture Series in partnership with the Department of Music
In addition to autumn's public event, Amjad Ali Khan visited and gave presentations to several classes in the Department of Music, met with the South Asian Music Ensemble, and was the featured colloquium speaker.
Winter 2023
Amjad Ali Khan, sarod grand master
Sunday, February 5 / 3 p.m. / Logan Center for the Arts – 915 E. 60th St.
2 PM pre-concert lecture with Associate Professor Anna Schultz (UChicago)
Presented by UChicago Presents
Master Class: Amjad Ali Khan
Tuesday, February 7 / 6 p.m. / Indo-American Center — 6328 N. California Ave.
Presented in partnership with Mandala Arts
Workshop: Jazz Ensemble with Amjad Ali Khan
Wednesday, February 8 / 5:30 & 7:30 p.m. / Logan Center for the Arts – 915 E. 60th St.
In addition to winter's public events, Amjad Ali Khan and Ensemble will present at a graduate seminar, host interactive presentations with classes, and participate in a discussion and book talk.
Amjad Ali Khan
Amjad Ali Khan is one of the undisputed masters of the music world. Born to sarod maestro Haafiz Ali Khan, he gave his first performance at the age of six, and is credited with reinventing the technique of playing the sarod. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than six decades, Amjad Ali Khan has won numerous accolades including a Grammy nomination, the Crystal Award by the World Economic Forum, Unicef's National Ambassadorship and the Fukuoka Cultural grand prize. He has performed at venues all over the world over including Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, as well as at the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 2014 in Norway. Samaagam, his first sarod concerto, has been performed by the Britten Sinfonia, Orchestre National d'lle de France, Orchestre d'Auvergne, London Philharmonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Welsh National Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Amjad Ali Khan has also been a visiting professor at Stanford University, University of New Mexico and Jacob’s School of Music. Together with his sons and disciples Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, he received a coveted Global Music Awards Gold Medal for their outstanding contribution to the global music industry and excellence in the classical music sphere. This prestigious honor was bestowed on the trailblazing trio in correlation with their recent album Peace Worshipers which was released in July 2017 by Affetto Records and distributed by Naxos.
Amaan Ali Bangash
Amaan Ali Bangash is the elder son and disciple of the Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan. Initiated into the fine art of Sarod playing at a very tender age, Amaan began his public performances at the age of eight. Accompanying his father to various music festivals in India and abroad, he has today carved out a niche for himself and his performances have evoked considerable applause. His precision in tunefulness and his bold and resonant strokes are all pointers to the importance of tradition and continuity in Indian classical music.
He made his debut abroad in 1986 at the Festival of India in Moscow. In 1990, Amaan performed in UK and at the Asia Society in 1991 in New York. Today, Amaan is considered as one of the finest young sarod players and has attained a very special place for himself among Indian music enthusiasts.
Awards and accolades came his way early in life, yet Amaan steadfastly pursued his family’s inheritance and legacy. His personal belief being that his work will speak for itself. In October 2002, he received Provogue Society’s Young Achievers Award for Performing Arts.
Beyond playing the sarod, Amaan has anchored Top Drive, the all-new television series on Star World that aired beginning in January 2003 for five episodes. He also took part in the relay for the Athens Olympics in New Delhi in June 2004. In 2005, Amaan composed for the music for the film American Daylight by Academy Award winner Rodger Christian.
Ayaan Ali Bangash
Ayaan Ali Bangash is the younger son and disciple of the Sarod titan Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, making his solo concert debut at the age of eight. Since that time, Ayaan has been performing concerts worldwide, giving many solo performances and also appearing in concert with his illustrious father and brother.
Ayaan has won the hearts of music lovers both in India and around the globe. He made his UK Debut in 1989 and US Debut in 1991 at the Asia Society in New York. In 2000, Ayaan joined his father at the Dalai Lama’s Sacred Music Festival inauguration.
In June 2004, Ayaan took part in the Athens Olympic Torch Relay in New Delhi and the fall of that same year he performed at the Symphony Hall in Fukuoka and New York’s Town Hall. In 2005, Ayaan composed the score for Roger Christian’s film American Daylight.
Ayaan has participated in over seven recordings including three solo projects. His recent recordings include Sarod for Harmony and Live at Carnegie Hall.