ABOUT
By Introducing subtle Jazz nuances to the traditional genre of the Ghazal (South East Asian poetic Urdu ballad) and Sufi styles, Najma, established herself as a pioneering vocalist, achieving a place in World Music history by creating a new musical genre.
Her ground-breaking and innovative debut album, ‘Qareeb' (Closeness), remains one of the most important world music albums ever recorded catapulting Najma into the World Music arena.
Even though her music has remained rooted in the Ghazal and other traditional music of her ancestral home, her versatility as a writer and composer can be seen through a vast diverse body of work & artistic collaborations with some of the world’s most influential and credible musicians.
Her versatility can be experienced through her work that range from her traditional / jazz Ghazal albums to recording an album of Bollywood songs by the late, Indian film composer S. D. Burman, 'Forbidden Kiss' to the various collaborations and projects that she has been involved in.
This iconic pioneer’s presence on the World music scene has led to waves of inspired Asian artists of Indian decent following in her footsteps.
Summer 2009 saw the release of ‘RISHTE’ (Relationships, Emotional bonds and Love), on the Harmonia Mundi /World Village label.
In this album Najma has collaborated with the renowned Grammy nominated New York based guitarist, Gary Lucas, who is known for his work with Captain Beefheart and the late Jeff Buckley. Using the blues, rock, psychedelic sounds and Indian influences, ‘RISHTE’ stands out as another milestone in terms of crossover music. The eclectic experiences, richness and musical sensibility of both artists have brought to life a unique and soulful album. Reviews for Rishte were brilliant worldwide.
Najma’s stunning arrangement & vocal performance of blues legend Skip James' classic, 'Special Rider Blues', was overwhelmingly positive, singled out by critics, providing her with the initial inspiration for ‘RISHTE’
Najma has many more achievements to her career, some of which are noted below and detailed in other sections.
‘Fariyaad’ 2008 translated as ‘A plea to the creator’, was recorded and produced in Paris by Serge Glanzberg. Musicians from very diverse cultures and backgrounds were used, adding even more multiculturalism and continued to cross over into the jazz world; this time incorporating Mediterranean influences and instruments with Najma's soulful, classical, Indian voice as the centre-piece. The album was enhanced by contributions from some remarkable musicians, including Steve Coleman (saxophone), Olivier Louvel (guitarist/Saaz player), Felix Sabaleco (drums).
‘Vivid’, 2002, a collaboration with the film music composer Richard Grassby-Lewis, Najma described this as ‘Indian Gothic’. Combines elements of Indian, Arabic and Western classical orchestral arrangements with dark electronic overtones, delivers a hypnotic cutting-edge album.
In 1996, Najma released ‘Forbidden Kiss’, a beautiful tribute album to legendary Indian composer S.D. Burman, equivalent in South Asia to George Gershwin or Irving Berlin. On this tribute, Najma collaborated with Chris Rael from the New York City group Church of Betty.
Najma's third recording, ‘Pukar’ (Calling You), was released in 1992 and includes a mix of Persian, Indian and African instruments further expanding her repertoire. The title track was used in a Fuji Bank television commercial in Japan, where sales of "Pukar" reached upwards of 50,000 copies.
Najma's follow up to ‘Qareeb’, ‘Atish’ (Fire), released in 1989, reached #4 on Billboard's World Music Chart and combines several musical styles, including ‘Qawwali’.
In 1987, Najma released her first recording in the UK with Triple Earth, ‘Qareeb’ (Closeness). Universally acclaimed ‘Qareeb’ was a ground-breaking recording and a first of its kind in the World Music area, as it was a unique fusion of Jazz and ‘Indian Ghazal’.
Najma has also collaborated with many of the world's most influential musical artists including, Jah Wobble, ‘Take me to God’; Andy Summers, ‘The Golden Wire’; Philip Glass, ‘Liquid Days’; Steve Coleman, ‘Black Science’; Jethro Tull, ‘Dot Com’; and Stan Harrison ‘The Optimist’; Carol Grimes, Basement Jaxx, Maartin Allcock and many others.
Najma appeared with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page on their MTV unplugged special singing a rendition of “The Battle of Evermore”. This was recorded and released as a DVD and album titled ‘No Quarter’. She made several guest appearances on their ‘No Quarter’ world tour.
Najma’s earlier live performances were described as brilliant. Having extensively toured in Europe, North America and Asia, and headlining on Jazz & World Music stages at numerous festivals including Reading, Glastonbury, Lille and The Palestinian Jazz Festival in Jerusalem she was also part of many Peter Gabriel's WOMAD tours too. Najma has had many incredible highlights in her career, but one that is most special to her, is being asked by Nina Simone’s management to perform with her at the London Dominion Theatre for a two-night engagement.
Music from her albums have been used in film, theatre and TV documentaries . A song that she recorded with Jah Wobble, titled “Raga,” was heard in Robert Altman’s film, ‘Pret a Porter’. Najma's voice can also be heard on other motion picture soundtracks too, including Hanif Kureishi's film, ‘Sammy and Rosie get Laid’, ‘People I Know’ starring Al Pacino and Kim Bassinger.
In 2002 Najma collaborated with composer and musician Steve Beresford to write a 13 song soundtrack for ‘Bollywood Queen’, the British-Bollywood film directed by Jeremy Wooding and in 2008 also co-wrote a track for the sound track of the film ‘Brick Lane’.
As an actor, Najma made her debut at London's prestigious National Theatre in their production of ‘Haroon and The Sea of Stories’, adapted from the Salman Rushdie book and directed by Tim Supple. Najma was invited by Theatre Melange to compose, sing and act in their production, titled, 'Cinnamon Veil'. In 2002 Najma wrote, composed and acted in a Tara Arts production called ‘Journey to the West’ at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester, England. In addition to her live theatre credits, Najma played a lead role in a United Kingdom Urdu TV drama production, ‘Kismet Road’, seen on Asian television in 2000.
Najma’s latest album, ‘FIVE RIVERS’ , whether, duo / trio format or 5 piece band, presents music in which she explores the synergies that resonate with her Indian - British roots by connecting vocal expressions of requited love through the waterways of voice, poetry and music. This album encompasses a plethora of genres from World Jazz, Rajasthani, Delta Blues, Psychedelic, Rock, Western Folk, Celtic, Sufi, North West African Blues, to Irish Celtic nuances with the traditional Ghazal and includes imaginative interpretations of compositions by Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, Bryan MacLean and Donovan.
‘FIVE RIVERS’ is merely an extension of Najma’s pioneering work.
Some other Collaborations
Her ground-breaking and innovative debut album, ‘Qareeb' (Closeness), remains one of the most important world music albums ever recorded catapulting Najma into the World Music arena.
Even though her music has remained rooted in the Ghazal and other traditional music of her ancestral home, her versatility as a writer and composer can be seen through a vast diverse body of work & artistic collaborations with some of the world’s most influential and credible musicians.
Her versatility can be experienced through her work that range from her traditional / jazz Ghazal albums to recording an album of Bollywood songs by the late, Indian film composer S. D. Burman, 'Forbidden Kiss' to the various collaborations and projects that she has been involved in.
This iconic pioneer’s presence on the World music scene has led to waves of inspired Asian artists of Indian decent following in her footsteps.
Summer 2009 saw the release of ‘RISHTE’ (Relationships, Emotional bonds and Love), on the Harmonia Mundi /World Village label.
In this album Najma has collaborated with the renowned Grammy nominated New York based guitarist, Gary Lucas, who is known for his work with Captain Beefheart and the late Jeff Buckley. Using the blues, rock, psychedelic sounds and Indian influences, ‘RISHTE’ stands out as another milestone in terms of crossover music. The eclectic experiences, richness and musical sensibility of both artists have brought to life a unique and soulful album. Reviews for Rishte were brilliant worldwide.
Najma’s stunning arrangement & vocal performance of blues legend Skip James' classic, 'Special Rider Blues', was overwhelmingly positive, singled out by critics, providing her with the initial inspiration for ‘RISHTE’
Najma has many more achievements to her career, some of which are noted below and detailed in other sections.
‘Fariyaad’ 2008 translated as ‘A plea to the creator’, was recorded and produced in Paris by Serge Glanzberg. Musicians from very diverse cultures and backgrounds were used, adding even more multiculturalism and continued to cross over into the jazz world; this time incorporating Mediterranean influences and instruments with Najma's soulful, classical, Indian voice as the centre-piece. The album was enhanced by contributions from some remarkable musicians, including Steve Coleman (saxophone), Olivier Louvel (guitarist/Saaz player), Felix Sabaleco (drums).
‘Vivid’, 2002, a collaboration with the film music composer Richard Grassby-Lewis, Najma described this as ‘Indian Gothic’. Combines elements of Indian, Arabic and Western classical orchestral arrangements with dark electronic overtones, delivers a hypnotic cutting-edge album.
In 1996, Najma released ‘Forbidden Kiss’, a beautiful tribute album to legendary Indian composer S.D. Burman, equivalent in South Asia to George Gershwin or Irving Berlin. On this tribute, Najma collaborated with Chris Rael from the New York City group Church of Betty.
Najma's third recording, ‘Pukar’ (Calling You), was released in 1992 and includes a mix of Persian, Indian and African instruments further expanding her repertoire. The title track was used in a Fuji Bank television commercial in Japan, where sales of "Pukar" reached upwards of 50,000 copies.
Najma's follow up to ‘Qareeb’, ‘Atish’ (Fire), released in 1989, reached #4 on Billboard's World Music Chart and combines several musical styles, including ‘Qawwali’.
In 1987, Najma released her first recording in the UK with Triple Earth, ‘Qareeb’ (Closeness). Universally acclaimed ‘Qareeb’ was a ground-breaking recording and a first of its kind in the World Music area, as it was a unique fusion of Jazz and ‘Indian Ghazal’.
Najma has also collaborated with many of the world's most influential musical artists including, Jah Wobble, ‘Take me to God’; Andy Summers, ‘The Golden Wire’; Philip Glass, ‘Liquid Days’; Steve Coleman, ‘Black Science’; Jethro Tull, ‘Dot Com’; and Stan Harrison ‘The Optimist’; Carol Grimes, Basement Jaxx, Maartin Allcock and many others.
Najma appeared with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page on their MTV unplugged special singing a rendition of “The Battle of Evermore”. This was recorded and released as a DVD and album titled ‘No Quarter’. She made several guest appearances on their ‘No Quarter’ world tour.
Najma’s earlier live performances were described as brilliant. Having extensively toured in Europe, North America and Asia, and headlining on Jazz & World Music stages at numerous festivals including Reading, Glastonbury, Lille and The Palestinian Jazz Festival in Jerusalem she was also part of many Peter Gabriel's WOMAD tours too. Najma has had many incredible highlights in her career, but one that is most special to her, is being asked by Nina Simone’s management to perform with her at the London Dominion Theatre for a two-night engagement.
Music from her albums have been used in film, theatre and TV documentaries . A song that she recorded with Jah Wobble, titled “Raga,” was heard in Robert Altman’s film, ‘Pret a Porter’. Najma's voice can also be heard on other motion picture soundtracks too, including Hanif Kureishi's film, ‘Sammy and Rosie get Laid’, ‘People I Know’ starring Al Pacino and Kim Bassinger.
In 2002 Najma collaborated with composer and musician Steve Beresford to write a 13 song soundtrack for ‘Bollywood Queen’, the British-Bollywood film directed by Jeremy Wooding and in 2008 also co-wrote a track for the sound track of the film ‘Brick Lane’.
As an actor, Najma made her debut at London's prestigious National Theatre in their production of ‘Haroon and The Sea of Stories’, adapted from the Salman Rushdie book and directed by Tim Supple. Najma was invited by Theatre Melange to compose, sing and act in their production, titled, 'Cinnamon Veil'. In 2002 Najma wrote, composed and acted in a Tara Arts production called ‘Journey to the West’ at the Haymarket Theatre in Leicester, England. In addition to her live theatre credits, Najma played a lead role in a United Kingdom Urdu TV drama production, ‘Kismet Road’, seen on Asian television in 2000.
Najma’s latest album, ‘FIVE RIVERS’ , whether, duo / trio format or 5 piece band, presents music in which she explores the synergies that resonate with her Indian - British roots by connecting vocal expressions of requited love through the waterways of voice, poetry and music. This album encompasses a plethora of genres from World Jazz, Rajasthani, Delta Blues, Psychedelic, Rock, Western Folk, Celtic, Sufi, North West African Blues, to Irish Celtic nuances with the traditional Ghazal and includes imaginative interpretations of compositions by Tim Buckley, Tim Hardin, Bryan MacLean and Donovan.
‘FIVE RIVERS’ is merely an extension of Najma’s pioneering work.
Some other Collaborations
- ‘Rishte’, with Grammy nominated guitarist, Gary Lucas
- The Optimist with Stan Harrison
- Dot Com with Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull
- Basement Jaxxs co-wrote Mere Paas with Felix Buxton, Simon Ratcliffe the single, Good Luck
- MTV Unplugged with Led Zeppelins Robert Plant and Jimmy Page for the album No Quarter. Toured with Page & Plant in the USA, Ireland / UK
- Liquid Days with Philip Glass accompanied by the Crouch End Choir, conducted by David Temple
- Take Me To God with Jah Wobble
- The Golden Wire with Andy Summers of The Police
- Black Science with Steve Coleman
- Divas with Steve Copeland
- Colonial Cousins with Hariharan and Leslie Lewis
- In my Mind with the Armenian / Persian Singer Andy Madadain