Artists

ROHAIL HYATT: was a founding member of the Vital Signs, the leading pop band of Pakistan for decade. Rohail played the role of band member, producer, song-writer, guitarist, keyboardist and manager at different times of the bands history. Universally credited with the success of the Vital Signs and long considered a legend in the local music industry. Rohail also produced Charkha featuring Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, nephew of the legendary Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. A number one hit Jiya Dhadak Jaaye ensued, bringing Rohail back into the limelight. He is currently working on three albums that are slated for release later this year. It is his ability, paired with his years of experience that has made Rohail Coca-Cola’s music consultant in Pakistan.

Website: http://www.rohailhyatt.com/

ALI AZMAT: Paksitani rock icon Ali Azmat gained fame as lead singer for the iconic Pakistani rock band Junoon. A solo artist since 2003, he is now reinventing the South Asian music scene, exhilarating audiences everywhere with his passionate and poetic fusion of east/west musical traditions. The 10 albums Junoon released between 1990 an 2003 sold 20 million albums worldwide.

His first solo album “Social Circus” was released in March 2005 and won critical acclaim, winning 13 awards in Pakistan including Best Album, Best Producer, Best Single for “Na re Na” and Best New Video. Ali Azmat has recently completed his new album ‘Klashinkfolk’.

Website: http://www.aliazmat.com/

RAHAT FATEH ALI KHAN: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is one of Pakistan’s leading singers of Qawwali – the devotional music of the Sufis. Rahat’s family has an unbroken tradition of performing Qawwali for more than 600 years. Rahat took over the family Qawwali party after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s death. In 2002, he worked on the sound track of Four Feathers in collaboration with the American composer, James Horner and with the Derek Trucks Band on the song “Makki Madni” in the album Joyful Noise. More recently, his vocals were featured on the soundtrack of Mel Gibson’s “Apocalypto.”

STRINGS: is Pakistan’s leading pop band comprising Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia. Strings started with four college students (Bilal, Faisal, Rafiq, Kareem) in 1990, when they came out with a self-titled album. After their second album, “Strings 2” in 1992, the band was broke up. Eight years later, Bilal and Faisal reformed the group, coming out with their album “Duur” and then “Dhaani” both resulting in national and international hits. Strings has achieved local and international fame. Their popularity is attributed to the significantly different approach to their music and lyrics.

Website: http://www.stringsonline.net/

HUSSAIN BAKHSH GULLO: A famous classical and Sufi singer, has electrified audiences worldwide with his performances. Hailing from the Patiala Gharana, the Ustad is probably the most deft kafi singer in Pakistan. He is the son of Bade Mian Nathu Khansahib, who was in turn a shagird of Taan Kaptaan Fateh Ali Khan of Patiala Kasur.

ALI ZAFAR: made his debut with the album Huqa Pani, released in Pakistan in 2003 and worldwide in 2005. The album was an instant hit, selling over 600,000 worldwide and winning several major awards an nominations. It also put Ali into the league of the most popular artists ever to have come out of Pakistan with a massive fan following locally and internationally. Ali Zafar launched his second album “Masty” nationwide in Pakistan in November 2006.

Website: http://www.alizafar.net/

SAIN TUFAIL: is a renowned Sindhi folk artist who is considered a maestro of Sindhi folk and Sufi music. He has a devoted following in Sindh and his contributions to Sufi and folk music are acknowledged globally.

OMRAN SHAFIQUE: Front man for Mauj and lead guitarist, he made his initial appearance in the Pakistani music industry via the launch of the first Mauj video, Khush Fehmi on the airwaves. He has also been incorporated into Ali Azmat’s live and studio set-up and has played on Ali Azmat’s second album, Klashinfolk. His own album from Mauj has been recorded and mastered and is currently awaiting release.

Website: http://www.maujonline.com/

ZEESHAN PARWEZ: Known as much for directing music videos as he is for his music – his instruments of choice being the keyboards, turntables, mouth organ and synthesizer. He was encouraged to take up music by Sarmad Ghafoor (guiatarist for the band, Rungg) and brother of Sajid Ghafoor, with whom Zeeshan went on to form a band called Sajid and Zeeshan. Zeeshan made his debut in the commercial music industry, in 2004, as a musician and music video director via the Sajid and Zeeshan music video ‘King of Self’.

GUMBY: He is perhaps Pakistan’s most popular drummer and commands a strong, loyal following from among the masses and industry individuals. Considered a maestro in his own right, Gumby has almost twenty years of drumming experience behind him. He has had the distinction of having played with some of the most popular brands in the Pakistani pop industry such as Awaz, Vital Signs, Junoon, Noori, Mekaal Hasan Band, and Ali Azmat.

Website: http://www.ljpinto.com/