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Comment by Pgh Rich on December 12, 2012 at 6:04am

By Associated Press,
Published: December 11 |
Updated: Wednesday, December 12, 12:28 AM

AP: Ravi Shankar, Indian sitar virtuoso, dies at 92

Ravi Shankar, the Grammy Award-winning Indian sitar musician and father of jazz-pop musician Norah Jones, has died, AP reports.

Shankar helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers in the West discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music over an eight-decade career. Beatle George Harrison labeled him “the godfather of world music.”

NEW DELHI — Ravi Shankar, the sitar virtuoso who became a hippie musical icon of the 1960s after hobnobbing with the Beatles and who introduced traditional Indian ragas to Western audiences over a 10-decade career, died Tuesday. He was 92.

A statement on the musician’s website said he died in San Diego, near his Southern California home. The musician’s foundation issued a statement saying that he had suffered upper respiratory and heart problems and had undergone heart-valve replacement surgery last week.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also confirmed his death and called Shankar a “national treasure.”

Labeled “the godfather of world music” by George Harrison, Shankar helped millions of classical, jazz and rock lovers discover the centuries-old traditions of Indian music.

He also pioneered the concept of the rock benefit with the 1971 Concert For Bangladesh. To later generations, he was known as the estranged father of popular American singer Norah Jones.

His last musical performance was with his other daughter, sitarist Anoushka Shankar Wright, on Nov. 4 in Long Beach, California; his foundation said it was to celebrate his 10th decade of creating music. The multiple Grammy winner learned that he had again been nominated for the award the night before his surgery.

As early as the 1950s, Shankar began collaborating with and teaching some of the greats of Western music, including violinist Yehudi Menuhin and jazz saxophonist John Coltrane. He played well-received shows in concert halls in Europe and the United States, but faced a constant struggle to bridge the musical gap between the West and the East.

Describing an early Shankar tour in 1957, Time magazine said. “U.S. audiences were receptive but occasionally puzzled.”

His close relationship with Harrison, the Beatles lead guitarist, shot Shankar to global stardom in the 1960s.

Harrison had grown fascinated with the sitar, a long necked, string instrument that uses a bulbous gourd for its resonating chamber and resembles a giant lute. He played the instrument, with a Western tuning, on the song “Norwegian Wood,” but soon sought out Shankar, already a musical icon in India, to teach him to play it properly.

The pair spent weeks together, starting the lessons at Harrison’s house in England and then moving to a houseboat in Kashmir and later to California.

Gaining confidence with the complex instrument, Harrison recorded the Indian-inspired song “Within You Without You” on the Beatles’ ”Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” helping spark the raga-rock phase of 60s music and drawing increasing attention to Shankar and his work.

Shankar’s popularity exploded, and he soon found himself playing on bills with some of the top rock musicians of the era. He played a four-hour set at the Monterey Pop Festival and the opening day of Woodstock.

Comment by WaltSimsJr on January 24, 2012 at 4:33pm

http://www.midatlanticarts.org/funding/artists_programs/FAJE/FAJE_g...

Comment by Max Leake on September 14, 2011 at 2:37pm

I'm sorry to hear of Hosea's passing from our world. His unique spirit will be missed. I have fond memories of gigs with him when I was a "baby".

 

Max Leake

Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on September 14, 2011 at 1:17pm

HOSEA SAMUEL TAYLOR | Visit Guest Book


TAYLOR
HOSEA SAMUEL
Of the Hill District, passed peacefully on September 9, 2011. He leaves to cherish his memory, loving children Lester Manuel, Hosea Taylor, Jr., Contessa Sims (David), Barron Taylor (Tonya); caring grandfather of 15; great-grandfather of three; also many other relatives and friends. Visitation Tuesday 4-8 p.m. SPRIGGS & WATSON FUNERAL HOME, INC., 720 N. Lang Ave., E.E., where services will be held Wednesday, 11 a.m.
Send condolences at post-gazette.com/gb

Comment by The Brian Edwards Excursion on September 13, 2011 at 7:48pm

I am sorry to hear of Mr. Taylor's passing. I can say I was fortunate enough to play on one Mr. Taylor's recordings along with the late Gene Ludwig. It was a pleasure to have shared a moment in time with him.

Brian E. Edwards

Comment by bob studebaker on September 12, 2011 at 3:12am

I count myself lucky to have had a chance to spend some time with Mr. Taylor. I'll be re reading my copy of "Dirt Street" and thinking about him.

Comment by Barbara Ray on September 12, 2011 at 2:25am

My Dear Friend Hosea Taylor .. you were one of a kind and I thought you'd be around forever - anytime one or the other would pick up the phone.  Far over 30 years we were friends - all through the years rather thick or thin... I miss you much my friend - but my faith is strong and I believe I'll see you again.

Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on September 12, 2011 at 2:01am

Final Arrangements for William Green (brother of George Green):

Viewing on Monday 9/12/11 at Bethany Baptist Center, 7745 Tioga St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2263 Phone: 412) 242-8865.

 

The funeral will be held at the same place on Tuesday 9/13/11 at 11am.

 

Please share this information with friends and acquaintances.

Comment by Dr. Nelson Harrison on September 12, 2011 at 1:57am

Hosea Taylor Final Arrangements:

Viewing Tuesday  9/13/11 from 4 - 8pm at Spriggs-Watson funeral Home on the corner of Bennett Street and Lang Ave. in Homewood.

 

The funeral will be from the same place on Wed. 9/14/11 at 11 am.

 

Please share this information with other friends and acquaintances.

Comment by Dan Wasson on September 11, 2011 at 10:01am

2006_09_05.mp3

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