Ali Akbar Khan

The Profile

Ali Akbar Khan (1922–2009) was an Indian Hindustani classical musician and one of the 20th century’s foremost masters of the sarod. A student and son of Allauddin Khan, he helped popularize Indian classical music worldwide and founded the Ali Akbar College of Music in India and later in California.

Master sarod player; born in 1922 in what is now Bangladesh; often referred to as the “Indian Bach” (a moniker popularized by Yehudi Menuhin). Genres: Hindustani/Indian classical. International teacher and performer; founded the Ali Akbar College of Music. Per DeBaser reviews, Journey features reworked compositions recorded in Los Angeles with sarod, tabla, tambura, harmonium, occasional keyboards and drums.

Two DeBaser reviews dissect Ali Akbar Khan’s Journey: a sarod-led set balancing Hindustani rigour with Western-tinged production. Highlights include Lullaby, Morning Meditation, Anticipation, and the title track. Reviewers note lively, structured compositions, not mere ambient drift. Overall sentiment is appreciative, with nuanced critiques.