PROJECTS
Najma is currently available with her band to perform her Five Rivers Project and is available upon special request to perform Traditional Ghazal / Sufi set and semi-classical vocal performances.
Please get in touch via the contact page
Using the ‘Najma trademark’ i.e. discreet innovative arrangements combined with subtle jazz influences and her own melodic compositions not only has Najma created a new sound but has also given way to a new performance visual.
Having given numerous radio, TV appearances and concerts all over the world Najma Akhtar is one of the principal creative forces of the last decade to have made innovative popular music based on traditional North Asian forms modernized through a young European sensibility.
Proved to be a successful and versatile artist and she has worked, performed and recorded with some of the worlds most influential and credible artists. She has also had the opportunity to work in some major theatre productions not only musically but also as an actress and has also been engaged as a TV presenter for various assignments and documentaries.
Being rooted in the traditional style also gives Najma the advantage of versatility and flexibility to allow her to perform in varying styles depending on project request and requirement.
Some highlighted Side Projects
Please get in touch via the contact page
Using the ‘Najma trademark’ i.e. discreet innovative arrangements combined with subtle jazz influences and her own melodic compositions not only has Najma created a new sound but has also given way to a new performance visual.
Having given numerous radio, TV appearances and concerts all over the world Najma Akhtar is one of the principal creative forces of the last decade to have made innovative popular music based on traditional North Asian forms modernized through a young European sensibility.
Proved to be a successful and versatile artist and she has worked, performed and recorded with some of the worlds most influential and credible artists. She has also had the opportunity to work in some major theatre productions not only musically but also as an actress and has also been engaged as a TV presenter for various assignments and documentaries.
Being rooted in the traditional style also gives Najma the advantage of versatility and flexibility to allow her to perform in varying styles depending on project request and requirement.
Some highlighted Side Projects
- Invited by one of Japan’s largest banks, Fuji Bank, to compose a song in the Najma style for their International TV advertising campaign
- Najma was invited to New York to co-write and record as guest vocalist with renowned jazz musician and saxophonist / composer Stan Harrison for his latest album titled ‘The Optimist’. Produced by Gerard McMahon AKA Gerard McMann from the ‘Lost Boys’ film score. Najma’s contribution to the title track ‘The Optimist’, has been quoted as ‘the high light of the album’.
- Co- wrote a track titled ‘Mere Paas’ with Basement Jaxx, the critically acclaimed UK House duo, comprising of Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe who rose to popularity in the late 1990s. This track appeared on their single called ‘Good Luck’.
- Najma performed, recorded and collaborated with 2009 Grammy award winner Robert Plant and Jimmy Page from the band ‘LED ZEPPELIN’ for their MTV Special ‘Unplugged’. This live TV recording was also released worldwide on the Atlantic Records label. The album was titled, ‘No Quarter’. In addition to this, Najma was invited by them to tour with the band in the USA, Ireland and the UK.
- Recorded 2 songs for Philip Glass on the ‘Liquid Days’ album out of which Suzanne Vega had written one track. Accompanied by the Crouch End Choir and conducted by David Temple.
- Jah Wobble on his album ‘Take Me To God’. Released by Island Records
- Andy Summers from the band ‘POLICE’ on his album ‘The Golden Wire’
- Steve Coleman on his album ‘Black Science’.
- Hariharan and Leslie Lewis on the album ‘Colonial Cousins’ India
- Co-wrote a track titled ‘In my Mind’, with the famous Armenian / Persian Singer Andy Madadian for his album ‘And my Heart’ released on the ‘Arc 21’ label. A video featuring Najma was also made of this track.
- Ken Morioka on his album in Japan titled ‘Question’.
- Apache Indian on his hit single titled ‘Arranged Marriage’
- Co-wrote the title track ‘Dot com’ with legendary flutist Ian Anderson for his album, titled ‘Dot Com’ and released on the Jethro Tull label.
- Co-wrote a track with Maartin Allock for his album, titled ‘OX 19’ and released on the Jethro Tull label.
- Recorded for Steve Copeland’s new album. ‘Divas’