GET TO KNOW… TRILOK GURTU

On 24 September at Queen Elizabeth Hall, old master and young prodigy unite to perform an exclusive show. Percusion maestro Trilok Gurtu has an army of fans across the world, naming Herbie Hancock, Neneh Cherry, Nitin Sawnhey amongst the many and he has received Grammy and BBC3 World Music nominations along the way. Tigran Hamasyan is fast making a name for himself on the world music scene. Still only 24, the Armenian pianist has won a host of awards across the world.

This is only the second time that the two artists have performed together, having wowed the audience at Montreux Jazz Festival earlier in the year.

We asked Trilok Gurtu, Southbank Centre’s ‘Get To Know…’ questions. Here’s what he said:

What do you fear the most and why?

Nothing!

Which mobile number do you call the most?

If God was on the mobile I am sure I would be calling frequently…hope its not an answering service?

What – or where – is perfection?

There is no perfection

Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why? 

Hamlet – “To be or not to be”, What a question!

What’s your favourite ritual?

Meditation

Which living person do you most admire (and why)?

Roberto Benigni makes me laugh – it’s not such an easy thing to do, being funny and I admire those who can make others laugh…he has a wonderful sense of life

What other talent or skill would you like to possess?

Cooking, I love to cook and recently gave a so called Jazz cooking demonstration! If not then make me a  sommelier..

Tell us about a special memory you have of Southbank Centre?

The dancer Carolyn Carlson and I appeared in a duet in 1998 at QEH. Carolyn is a magnificent modern dance choreographer and performer who lives in Paris and has had a wonderful much lauded career, directing the Opera there and many many events, it was an amazing evening.

If you could programme your ideal Southbank Centre show, which artists (living or dead) would you bring together?

Jo Zawinul only quite recently passed away with my mother – singer Shobha Gurtu whose tenth anniversary we will celebrate this year,  Shankar Mahadevan THE great Bollywood singer of today, my long time musical “buddy” Jan Garbarek – we would need some guitar guts – so who else but Jeff Beck, and a keyboard from Tigran of course. Who should play bass in this stellar line up? Jaco Pastorius and perhaps Nitin Sawhney would write us some special pieces.

What’s your favourite website

www.trilokgurtu.net of course!

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

Humility but I am still learning

What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?

Brahms piano concerto symphony No 1 in c minor

Tickets are available from the website here