PMR Team : ‘ Happy Birthday Ali Azmat ‘
Music career
Early career
Azmat grew up in Lahore, which he credits for his unconventional attitude. He went to Australia for his higher studies. His first band ‘Jupiters’ was a local Lahore band. While with them, Azmat wrote his legendary hit song Dosti. He later sang and recorded Dosti with Junoon, after which the song gained national fame.
Junoon
Junoon was Pakistan’s biggest band famous for combining traditional poetry and instruments with rock music. Azmat was the lead vocalist of the band. With Junoon, he toured extensively, doing two North American tours a year since 1992. He performed in Europe, the Middle East and China and at the European rock festival, Roskilde in June 2000. He left Junoon in 2005 to pursue a solo career.
Solo career
His first solo album “Social Circus” was released in March 2005. Social Circus won 13 awards in Pakistan including Best album, Best producer, Best single for “Na Re Na,” and best new video. In India, Azmat was nominated for best sound track and best song at the Sahara Awards London, for his single ”Garaj Baras” in the film Paap directed by Pooja Bhatt. At the first ever music video awards held in Pakistan known as the IM Music Video Awards, he won the awards for ‘Best Video’, Best Costume’ and ‘Best Art Direction’ for his song ‘Na Re Na’ while ‘Deewana’ won the award for ‘Best Animation.’
Azmat released his second album Klashinfolk in August 2008. The album was recorded in Mekaal Hasan Studios. “Klashanfolk” included reggae, rock style and featured live drums.
Bollywood
The hit song Sayooni was chosen by Azmat to be used for his debut as a Bollywood music director and singer. He also signed for one of Rahul Dholakia’s episode on Mumbai-11 and the film, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, which was directed by Sudhir Mishra.
Studio albums
* Social Circus (2005)
* Klashinfolk (2008)
Band
Azmat can play the guitar well and usually plays supporting guitars (besides singing) with Omran Shafique (lead guitarist) during concerts. One such concert was at California. Another notable concert where he played rhythm guitars was the Coke studio performance with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. For live sessions, Azmat has his own band which include the following members.
* Omran Shafique (Guitarist)
* Mannu (Bassist)
* Gumby (Drums)
Television
Azmat has also acted in Pakistani television dramas. He has also sung the title songs of many serials. He played the role of a con artist in a Pakistani tele film. Azmat also wrote the theme song for a children television series, The Magic Tent. Azmat also hosted a show called “Pappu Yar Tang Na Kar” for Aag television. He also starred in a telefilm, “ChaalBaz” in 2006 which was aired on ARY Digital. He has also worked with local pop musicians such as Omran Shafique from Mauj and Gumby, the former drummer of Noori. Azmat is also going to be a judge on the forthcoming Pakistan Idol (Pakistani version of Pop-Idol) alongside the likes of Abrar-ul-haq and Hadiqa Kiyani.
Facts
* Ali Azmat is also known as ‘Boeing’ among family and friends.
* Started out with a short army cut.
* During the 1990s with Junoon, he was famous for his trademark look, sporting very long, curly hair. However, since 2002, he now sports a bald look, before he left Junoon.
* Had a long term relationship with the super model Vaneeza Ahmad.
* Drives a BMW and Audi.
