Friday, July 22, 2011

Pakistan orchestra reinvents jazz classics

A new orchestra in the Pakistani city of Lahore is causing some excitement in the world of jazz - and turning around their own fortunes at the same time.

For years, classical musicians in Pakistan have faced tough times. As well as the issues everyone else in the country is facing, their profession all but died.

Most had been making music for the Pakistani film industry but the increasing influence of religion in society, and the easy availability of Indian movies, meant the industry collapsed.

But the Sachal Orchestra is sparking something of a revival. Their first jazz album Sachal Jazz was released recently.

The veteran American jazz musician, Dave Brubeck, described their interpretation of one of his tracks as "the most interesting recording of it he has ever heard".

Source BBC
Source: Sachal Jazz: A meeting with melody