In a rare and remarkable collaboration, Alam Khan—son of the legendary Ali Akbar Khan—joins forces with one of South Africa’s most innovative guitarists, Derek Gripper. The two first met in 2025 over a cup of tea in Alam’s teaching room, a meeting that it led to a spontaneous trio recording with South African guitarist Guy Buttery. Alam went on to join Derek in concerts with his long-time collaborator, the great Malian kora virtuoso Ballaké Sissoko, and then in an intimate duo recording session in the hills of Berkeley.

Alam and Derek focus on their respective immersions in deep classical traditions: Alam Khan brings a long apprenticeship under his father, mastering the infinite art of raga improvisation within the Indian classical tradition. Derek Gripper, originally trained in European classical and early string music, has spent years translating the complex language of the West African kora to the guitar. Through this long study of the 21-string harp, he developed a unique language of cyclical improvisation, breaking out of the bounds of composed music and using the polyrhythmic possibilities of classical guitar technique to re-imagine the beginnings of sound in string music, from harps and bows of the African continent.

Together, Alam and Derek explore the heights of spontaneous creation, re-imagining great African songs and Indian melodies through the art of spontaneous improvisation.

Events are offered for informational, entertainment, and educational purposes only. Read Town Hall’s Program Content Policy.