shakti

ā€œThereā€™s something profoundly joyful about Shakti and the spontaneity of it,ā€ says guitarist John McLaughlin, seen here with the group at the beginning of their 50th-anniversary celebrations.

Photo by Pepe Gomes

The intrepid guitarist celebrates his long collaboration with master percussionist Zakir Hussain and reflects on the groundbreaking cross-cultural fusion group, his longest running ensemble, and their new studio record, This Moment.

A few years ago, John McLaughlinā€™s career hung in the balance. Stricken with painful arthritis in his right hand, the famously dexterous and ambitious guitarist couldnā€™t maintain his playing. So, he announced his retirement from live performing, offering a final tour in 2017. In Billboard, the guitarist glumly mused: ā€œYou know, musicians never die. They just decompose. So, Iā€™m on my way.ā€ Though he went on to mention planned recording projects, he now says, ā€œI thought, ā€˜Timeā€™s up,ā€™ the guitar goes under the bed, and thatā€™s it. Iā€™m out.ā€

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