11 Apr 2018 – 10:24
By Amna Pervaiz Rao / The Peninsula
DOHA: The Katara Cultural Village in collaboration with the Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar will host “Sachal Jazz Concert” on April 16. The event will take place at Katara Drama Theatre (Building No 16) from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
Sachal Studios is home of the internationally acclaimed Sachal Jazz Ensemble. The band is an example of creative genius that reflects Pakistan’s rich culture and heritage locally and internationally. Sachal defines contemporary Pakistan — a blend of the traditional and the modern.
Addressing a press conference at Katara yesterday Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Katara’s General Manager said: “This event aims to strengthen relations and friendship between Qatar and Pakistan. Music is an international language that people around the world communicate through. By hosting this event we hope to present the Pakistani culture in its best form.”
Pakistani ambassador to Qatar, Shahzad Ahmad, who was also present at the press conference, conveyed his deep gratitude to Katara for hosting this event which, he said, would be for the benefit of everybody.
He said: “The Pakistani embassy is proud to present the musical maestros of Sachal Jazz Band to the Qatari and expat audience in Qatar and looks forward to an evening of enchanting melodies.We hope this initiative will introduce the rich musical heritage of Pakistan to the international audience in Qatar and will lead to more such events in future”.
Sachal has earned, with its fusion of traditional classical music with Western jazz, the admiration of music fans and critics across the world. Within days of the release of their first album, they shot to the top of the iTunes jazz charts. Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy made a documentary called “Song of Lahore “on Sachal Jazz Ensemble, which has won spate of awards.
The Sachal Studios Jazz Ensemble has performed worldwide at some of the most prestigious venues and jazz festivals: With Wynton Marsallis at the Lincoln Centre, New York, The Barbican in London,The Marciac Jazz festival in France, Tokyo Jazz Festival.It has also performed at the United Nations General Assembly. The Ensemble was given the honor to perform at prestigious venue to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Pakistani music, for decades, has ruled the hearts and minds of people internationally. Embassy of Pakistan in the State of Qatar is proud to present the musical maestros of Sachal Jazz Band to the Qataris and expat audience in Doha and looks forward to an evening of enchanting melodies.
The thought behind this event is to increase cooperation in the field of culture between Pakistan and the State of Qatar and to promote Pakistani music and artists. We hope that this initiative will be an excellent introduction for the international audience in Qatar to the rich musical heritage of Pakistan and will lead to more such events in future.
