The following is a release from The Sarod Project:

One of India’s finest contributions to culture is their spiritually-infused classical music with the sarod providing the unique and distinctive “voice” of expression. In a rare cultural exchange, three world renowned masters of the stringed instrument – maestro Amjad Ali Khan and sons Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan –will perform a show entitled “The Sarod Project” Sept. 20 at the Kirkland Performance Center in Kirkland.

For Amjad Ali Khan, it is his 51st year touring and performing throughout the United States. The sixth generation musician and his virtuoso sons use Indian classical music to promote peace as well as the instrument that they learned to make sing, shout, whisper and cry. The Khan’s are invited regularly to perform for global dignitaries at the United Nations and have played some of the world’s most famous concert halls and theaters in front of mesmerized audiences.

Each concert The Khan’s perform is different because one of the hallmark elements of Indian classical music is that the musicians compose their pieces on stage based upon their moods and emotions. Nothing is preconceived or prepared in advance. Like jazz musicians, they improvise riffing off of one another backed by beats and rhythms provided by a pair of percussionists.

“The Sarod Project” takes place in two halves. Amjad Ali Khan occupies the first set to perform a sarod solo that takes listeners on a journey through the rich sounds of India and the Middle East with accompaniment from the percussionists. Brothers Amaan and Ayaan duet on a raga to open the second half. Then their father-guru joins in for an impromptu call-and-response session passing down his musical hereditary to his disciple sons during an inspiring session that culminates in a rapturous climax while transfixing the crowd blessed to behold the ancient ritual.