Draft:Ken Zuckerman

Ken Zuckerman
Ken Zuckerman
Born	Kenneth Zuckerman; 20 July 1952; New Jersey, USA
Occupation	Musician; Indian music teacher; composer;
Nationality	Swiss, American
Genre	Hindustani classical music; Maihar gharana; Sarod;

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Ken Zuckerman (born Kenneth Zuckerman; 20 July 1952) is a Swiss-American musician and sarod virtuoso. A disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, he has been performing since the mid-80s at Hindustani classical concerts, recitals and seminars. Zuckerman is now based in Basel, Switzerland, where he has established the Ali Akbar College of Music.

Early life

Zuckerman was born in New Jersey, USA, to Russian-Jewish parents.

Musical career

Ali Akbar College of Music, Basel

Following 15 years of education under his guru, Zuckerman founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in Basel, Switzerland in 1985. There, Zuckerman began to offer both vocal and instrumental classes according to Maihar gharana tradition.

In addition to regular classes in-person as well as online, the College also organises an annual seminar every November, composed of a week of workshops and classes for various instrumentalists and vocalists of all levels. The seminar traditionally begins and ends with a concert given by Zuckerman, and, until 2024, Swapan Chaudhuri. Zuckerman leads the instrumental classes, while Chaudhuri offers tabla masterclasses, Daniel Bradley gives sitar lessons, and Zuckerman's students Vittoria Pagani and Nadia Oberli offer live review and riyaz classes.

November 2025 will mark the College's 40th annual seminar.

Personal life

Zuckerman currently resides in Basel, Switzerland.

During the main concert season between November and January, he often travels to India to give recitals in Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.

Zuckerman is multilingual, speaking English, French and German. In reference to the language barrier between himself and his teacher, he says: "Well, the Ustad always spoke to us in English and his accent was a bit difficult initially. He taught us step by step. That made the task of learning less daunting."^[1]

Awards, honours and inventions

In a 2022 Republic Day letter, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended Zuckerman's "dedication to Indian classical music and efforts for its spread, a highlight of India's vibrant cultural diversity", further stating: "May your 'Sarod' keep on serving music lovers all across the world."

In December 2023, Zuckerman received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sangitanjaly Foundation of Hyderabad, India.

Zuckerman has also made contributions to the innovation of Indian instruments. He is credited with the integration of precision geared tuners into the traditional pegs of the sarod and tanpura to help the tuning process. Additionally, he has had a hand in developing wooden resonators as well as a bridge add-on which have increased the volume, tonal quality and ease of micro adjustments for sarod.

Discography

Studio albums

Nature of Ragas - Ragas of Nature (2002) recorded with Anindo Chatterjee
Indian Ragas & Medieval Songs (2012) recorded at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis
Eros & Thanatos: Renaissance Love Songs & Plainchant for the Dead (2015)
Alap - the Soul of Indian Ragas (2024)

Live recordings

Live in Basel (1989) recorded with Zakir Hussain in Basel, Switzerland
Hemant: An evening raga (1995) recorded in Gelterkinden, Switzerland
Modal Tapestry I & II (2000/2002)
Salon de Musique (2002) recorded with Swapan Chaudhuri in Basel, Switzerland
Ragas d'equinoxe (2002) recorded with Anindo Chatterjee during the Notes d’equinoxe in Delemont, Switzerland
Meeting: Two Worlds of Music (2003)