Grateful Heart | 2020
In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, this piece of music came about as a result of a serendipitous conversation I had with Carol Beynon, the conductor of the Amabile Choirs of London. Their choirs were not singing in person together due to restrictions. The theme of gratitude emerged and catalyzed this composition.…[Read More]
Homage Ceremony | 2017
A global gathering of Ismaili traditional vocalists and master musicians to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of His Highness the Aga Khan. Artists from around the world came together for 10 days to prepare a repertoire of traditional and devotional music from Tajikistan, Afghanistan, South Asia, Iran, Syria, Andalusia and beyond. …[Read More]
Adinu | 2016
Awaaz Ensemble, an ensemble of Canadian vocalists of diverse cultural, musical and faith backgrounds who came together with the belief that choral music, developed through creative collaboration.…[Read More]
Global Ismaili Music Ensemble | 2016
The Global Ismaili Music Ensemble is a collective of Ismaili vocalists, musicians and traditional singers/reciters of diverse cultural and musical background who came together to celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s 80th birthday in Aiglemont, France.
Conversations: The Making of the Global Ismaili Ensemble | 2016
This video documents the process of bringing together the Global Ismaili Music Ensemble, a collective of Ismaili vocalists, musicians and traditional singers/reciters of diverse cultural and musical background who came together to celebrate His Highness the Aga Khan’s 80th birthday in Aiglemont, France.
Nurun Ala Nur: Light Upon Light | 2010
Inspired by the Verse of Light from the Quran. The piece was an exercise in discovering a variety of sonic expressions based on the parable of light as described in the verse. The composition includes references…[Read More]
Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir | 2008
This recording features the Canadian Ismaili Muslim Youth Choir—16 young singers aged 15 - 27 from across Canada…[Read More]
Mombasa Matatu Meditation | 2005
Inspired by a transformative experience I had while teaching at the Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa, Kenya. The academy was located near the Likoni Ferry, where the honking sounds of waiting for matatus…[Read More]
Gatherings | 2004
Inspired by the various gatherings taking place during the visit of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Vancouver. Through dialogues about community cultural gatherings - be they social or ceremonial …[Read More]
Rest For A Soul | 2003
When 911 happened in 2001 I received some inspiration to combine a Muslim prayer for peace upon the Prophet Muhammad and his family that is sung/recited at our Ismaili funerals with the famous Dona …[Read More]
“Hussein has great insight into the connection between the spirit and musical expression. He helps people to access their inherent musicality, and connect to their cultural identity.”
- Martin Van De Ven, musician, composer, high school music teacher at Toronto School District