Acclaimed Pak musicians to perform in London

LONDON: Acclaimed Pakistani Sachal Jazz Ensemble is set to perform on two dates in London after visas were cleared for all band members.Music events in London were cancelled in December here after visas were not issued on time by UK Border Agency to some members of this Ensemble.
The Lahore-based group of veteran musicians, who have made headlines around the world, will play at two central London venues. The group had played to sell out crowd in April 2012 in London. They will be reaching London today (Wednesday).
Seven-member Sachal Jazz Ensemble includes Nijat Ali (conductor), Nafees Khan (sitar), Baqar Abbas (flute), Ballu Khan (table), Rafiq Ahmed (Naal), Najaf Ali (Dholak Mardang) and Asad Ali (Guitar).
Jay Visvadeva, of Sama Arts Network, the concert organiser, told The News that it would be a milestone for the Lahore musicians as they would play at the Barbican Centre with the distinguished Wynton Marsalis Band.
Performed by virtuosos who cut their teeth in Pakistan’s once-flourishing Lollywood film industry, ‘Jazz and All That’ brings together the most accomplished classical musicians of the subcontinent to play jazz classics.
The Sachal Jazz project is the brainchild of London-based Pakistani businessman Izzat Majeed. He tracked down the best musicians of Lollywood’s heyday, once revered but now hanging up their instruments in a more conservative Pakistan, and got them into the studio once again.