By Faisal Shahzad
ISLAMABAD: Artists from Poland, Austria, Hungary, US, Afghanistan and Pakistan have performed in Pakistan’s First Jazz Stage in Islamabad.
Introducing Pakistan’s first Jazz stage, the two-day FACE Music Mela kicked off on Friday to mesmerize music lovers at Pakistan National Council of the Arts. The festival has been organized by Foundation of Arts, Culture and Education (FACE), an organization that aims to empower, strengthen and educate people via Arts and Cultural Interactions ensuring Sustainable and Peaceful Communities.
The event is among the biggest music festivals in Pakistan where, for the first time ever, we have introduced a Jazz stage featuring artists from Poland, Austria, Hungary, and the United States. It is an opportunity for cultural dialogue between Pakistan and several countries, said the organizers.
On the first day of Jazz Festival enthralled the audience featuring fusion of bands and performers including, Sunny Jain Wild Wild East, Leva Dance, Saakin, Bayaan, The Late Night Cats (Switzerland), Red Studio, Dusha Connection (Austria) and others.
The festival focusses on celebrating diversity and humanity through the common tongue of music. The countless musicians of Pakistan that have been spreading the positive vibrations across the land due to their incessant struggles are now waking up and taking initiative in laying the foundations of industry, the organizers said.
Artists Enthralls Audience During the Music Festival
On the second day of the festival, Amar Bai, Rebel Club, TMUC, Nimra Rafiq, Karakoram Sunny Jain, Bakshi Brothers, Sain Tanveer, Umair Jaswal and Faris Shafi will attend the event.
Shams Raheel is a renowned Rabab player originating from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He has been playing and teaching Rabab in Afghanistan for the past 23 years. He resides in Peshawar. Bayaan is an alternative rock band/contemporary Pop band hailing from Lahore, Pakistan. Bayaan is renowned for its lyrical prowess and experimentation alongside thought-provoking music videos.
Faris Shafi is a Pakistani rapper and lyricist, popular for challenging society’s evils through his music. Amar Bai resides in rural Tando Alhayar, Sindh, Pakistan. Today, Amar is considered the most refined voice of her age.
Leva Dance group from Balochistan has been representing diverse traditional dances of Balochistan besides Leva for the last 40 years.
FACE Foundation is working to empower and educate communities through the universal language of music, arts and cultural interaction. It primarily focuses on international exchanges and culture to promote mutual understanding among nations. FACE plays an important role in ensuring education at all levels to empower men and women to create stronger, more humane, creative and sustainable communities. It is specifically dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Music Mela Includes Master Workshops with Music Teachers, Leading Artists
The Music Mela includes master workshops with music teachers and leading artists; live music performances with headlining acts, folk, classical fusion and upcoming acts; lectures followed by Q&A sessions with directors of successful music projects; panel discussions with leading exponents of the music industry of Pakistan including promoters, publishers, educationists and artists; stalls for the introduction and outreach of folk musicians and upcoming bands.
The aim of the event is to boost to the fledgling music industry of Pakistan, particularly Islamabad – by inspiring young artists to improve their level of professionalism through performances, workshops and presentations; and to highlight the creative talent of the region in front of promoters, publishers and the media.
