ISLAMABAD: American jazz and Pakistani classical musicians brought the best of both genres together in a concert held on Sunday.

During their third visit to Pakistan, the Ari Roland Quartet blended their style of jazz with Pakistani classical music performed by Ajmal Khan on the tabla, Salman Adil on the flute and Zohaib Hassan on the sarangi.

Held at the National Art Gallery auditorium, and hosted by the US Embassy and the Foundation for Arts, Culture and Education (FACE), the concert was part of the Ari Roland Quartet’s 12-day visit to Pakistan to highlight American music and culture during Black History Month.

Comprising Ari Roland on the double bass, Keith Balla on percussion and Chris Byars and Zaid Nasser on the saxophone, the quartet will perform concerts, participate in workshops and play alongside Pakistani musicians in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

The show opened with Ajmal Khan, Salman Adil and Zohaib Hassan playing the raags Aiman and Madsiri. Mr Khan’s tabla perfectly complimented Mr Adil on the flute and Mr Hassan’s sarangi solos.

Ari Roland said: “We are extraordinarily inspired by Pakistani classical musicians. Their technique is simply astounding. Everything they play is filled with emotion and storytelling. Performing alongside Pakistani musicians was like a dream come true.”

In addition to renditions of Lester Leaps and Georgia on my Mind, the quartet also performed Dil Dil Pakistan, to their audience’s delight.

The concert concluded with the fusion of jazz and Pakistani classical music, bringing an hour and a half of performances to a close.

“These Pakistani musicians frighten us. It’s not fun to go after them. But we thank them for teaching us,” said Mr Roland.

American ambassador David Hale said jazz music was broad in its appeal.

“It was developed in the southern United States in the early 20th century when African American musicians merged European and African musical influences.

The result: a new uniquely American sound,” Mr Hale said. He remarked that he was particularly glad to see how many young people had attended the event.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2016