New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) Jazz pianist Herbie Hancock who "absolutely loves" the music of the Oscar-nominated film "Slumdog Millionaire' is now readying to perform with composer A R Rahman in Chennai later this month. Hancock who is part of the official US delegation accompanying Martin Luther King III on a 11-day tour of India would perform on a special composition by Rahman the theme of non violence.
"I absolutely loved the music of Slumdog. It combines the influence of several cultures," Hancock said referring to the British Danny Boyle rags-to riches film with music by A R Rahman which is in the running for multiple Oscars this year. Alhough the Chicago-based piano legend has not seen the film he said he is looking forward to performing with Rahman in Chennai scheduled on February 24. Hancock, accompanied by vocalist-actor Dee Dee Bridgewaters and diva singer Chaka Khan and keyboard player George Duke on his India tour said, "The spirit of music is firebrand and amazing. More and more artists and musicians are now crossing invisible boundaries of countries and continents and becoming cultural ambassadors." The 12-time Grammy winner who was greeted with resounding applause after his performance of the "Living Dream" concert in the capital said, "We are here to celebrate peace and music is all about bringing people together." PTI The 12-time Grammy winner who was greeted with resounding applause after his performance of the "Living Dream" concert in the capital said, "We are here to celebrate peace and music is all about bringing people together." In Chennai, apart from a composition with Rahman there would also be a dramatic reading by film actor and director Kamal Haasan. "This is my third time in India and even more joyful occasion for me to be able to connect to Mahatma Gandhi and celebrate the connection made 50 years ago between Martin Luther King, Jr and Gandhi the father of the Indian nation. "The first African American President Barack Obama did not have a chance to meet Martin Luther King, Jr just like King Jr did not meet Gandhi who passed away in 1947. But they met symbolically through their actions," said Hancock. Dee Dee Bridgewaters said that she found a connection with Indian music. "When I listened to music from India it feels as though it is a combination of West African and Jazz music. Also the tabla bears a close resemblance to African drums." Bridgewaters who is of Ugandan origin said, "Music today has influences from all around the world. All our music styles are connected. The traditions and approaches might be different but the music is universal." Hancock agrees as he says, "We have to be one as a race to face the essential threat of human existence so that we can live on this planet in peace. History has proved that India shares common ancestry with Africa. When the first tribes left Africa, they came to India. The first generic marks of the African people are found here. Only music can bind us together." .. http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/0/5B8F3FD8BE801DEA65257561002BA 1CC?OpenDocument .. Also .. http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb182009/national20090218119270.a sp?section=updatenews ..
