Shakti

Shakti is a United Kingdom-based jazz fusion group formed in the 1970s. It develops a form of acoustic fusion that combines Indian music with jazz, and it also brings together elements of Hindustani and Carnatic traditions.

Line-up and instruments

The group’s core line-up includes John McLaughlin on guitar, Shankar on violin, Zakir Hussain on tabla, and Vikku Vinayakram on ghatam. Earlier performances also include R. Raghavan on mridangam and T. H. Vinayakram on ghatam. The group’s membership changes over time, but these musicians are central to its history.

Activity and performance history

Shakti comes together in the early 1970s and is active from 1974 to 1978. It tours extensively during 1975 to 1977, then makes only sporadic appearances after that, with personnel changes. The project is associated with an acoustic approach rather than an electric fusion sound.

Related work

John McLaughlin later forms another group based on the same musical idea under the name Remember Shakti.