Dedicated to the Music

CASSIUS KHAN is a master performer and exponent of Ghazal Gayaki, an important genre of Indian classical singing. He is the sole disciple of the late Malika e Tarranum Mushtari Begum (1934 - 2004) and Tabla master Ustad Rukhsar Ali.

A charismatic personality both on and off stage, Cassius is the only professional performing artist in the world who can execute highly skilled Tabla compositions and sing Ghazals simultaneously . This talent often leaves audiences stunned, since most Ghazalists only play harmonium. For an individual artist, combining Indian classical singing with Tabla is a first in Indian classical music and many music maestros have proclaimed that singing and playing tabla in unison is an incredible feat to master.

Among many of his accomplishments, Khan was awarded the “Salute for Excellence” Award from the City of Edmonton in 2005, has been featured at the 2005 AlbertaScene in Ottawa and co-composed the “Asia Music” segment in the 2001 World Track & Field Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

Khan also made history, as he was also the very first Indian Ghazal/Tabla maestro invited to perform at the 2008 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. His concert was received with a packed hall and rave reviews.

Khan was also featured at Canadian Music Week 2009, where once again he was the first Ghazal/Tabla artist to be considered for a festival which is entirely concerned with rock, country and pop.

Khan has performed extensively internationally, including collaborations with Grammy Award winning artist Mohan Veena player Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Satvick Veena player Salil Bhatt, guitarist Ellen McIlwaine, Pianist Stu Goldberg and Guitarist Dave Martone.

Cassius Khan is featured on Ellen McIlwaine’s recent release “Mystic Bridge” (2006), on Stu Goldberg’s “Dark Clouds” (2006) album, two of Dave Martone’s albums, “A Demon’s Dream” (2004) and “The Alchemists”
(2004), and recently on ROAM’s new album, “Baby Steps” (2008).

When not touring, Khan has students around the world who learn Ghazal singing and Tabla playing from him.

Cassius Khan is married to Kathak Dancer/ Harmonium player Amika Kushwaha. They reside in Vancouver, BC, Canada.