Diga Rhythm Band

The origins of the Diga Rhythm Band trace back to 1968, a period of intense musical exploration for Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart. While studying tabla under the tutelage of Master Shankar Ghosh at the Ali Akbar College of Music, Hart delved into complex rhythmic cycles, including those of 4, 6, 16, 5, and 7 beats. He shared these insights with fellow Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann, and in return for tabla lessons, they instructed Ghosh on trap drumming. This exchange fostered a unique fusion of Eastern and Western rhythmic concepts in their compositions.

A significant early collaboration occurred in September 1968 during a Grateful Dead concert at the Berkeley Community Theater. Before the main performance, Hart and Kreutzmann surprised the audience by introducing Shankar Ghosh and master dumbec player Vince Delgado onto the stage. The four musicians engaged in a rhythmic journey, exploring various "Tals" (time cycles). The session culminated with a composition by Ali Akbar Khan, and the performance was met with thunderous applause.