Artist Profile: Cassius Khan

Cassius Khan is a master performer and exponent of Ghazal Gayaki, an important genre of Indian classical singing. Cassius is the only known performing artist in the world who can execute highly skilled Tabla compositions and sing Ghazals simultaneously.

Born in Lautoka, Fiji Islands to Muslim parents Naimatullah and Razia Khan, his family moved to Canada in 1974 and moved back to Fiji Islands in 1983 and returned in 1987.

After completing his BA in Law, Khan returned to performing full time and began touring the festival scene as a collaborator with artists of all world music genres as well as country, bluegrass, Indian pop, and rock music. Since 2001, Khan has appeared as at major festivals in Canada which include Edmonton, Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver, Salmon Arm, the Toronto Indian Electronica festival, as well as several concert venues in Western Canada and parts of the United States and India.

Khan has also collaborated with Canadian slide guitar greats Doug Cox and Ellen McIlwaine, Romanian violin virtuoso Lache Cercel, rocker Dave Martone, and the legendary Indian Classical artist Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, creator of the Mohan Veena. Cassius Khan has also worked with Ustad Majid Qiyam, Ustad Aashish Khan Debsharma, son of famed Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Cassius Khan is married to Kathak dancer and harmonium player, Amika Kushwaha who performs with Khan in his Ghazal/Tabla solo concerts. The duo recently showcased at SXSW Festival in Austin,Texas. They will be presenting classical Indian concerts in 2008 and 2009 throughout Canada and Europe, together with rabab player, Ustad Majid Qiyam. In 2010 he will be touring with Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Salil Bhatt, and special guests. Cassius will be releasing his first solo CD in September, 2008.

Cassius Khan Discography:
Cassius Khan - Young Tabla Wizard- MHK/HMV India 1987
Angel of Sevilla - D"Arcy Greaves, with Cassius Khan 1995
Mani Licks - Dan Mani with Cassius Khan 2002
I Feel Love Again - Pavlo 2002
A Demon's Dream - Dave Martone 2002
The Alchemists - 27 Tracks of Guitar Wizardry, Dave Martone, 2002
Dark Clouds - Stu Goldberg and Cassius Khan 2006
Mystic Bridge - Ellen McIlwaine with Cassius Khan 2006