The Artists
Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, father of an entire family of vocalist-musicians, performed at the age of nine with his brother Nazakat Ali Khan as the famed Ali Brothers. They were internationally renowned as superstars in the 60's and 70's for their immense talent and artistry in the classical form.
Now the next generation is becoming increasingly recognized for their great talents. The children are Sharafat Ali Khan, Shafqat Ali Khan, Sukhawat Ali Khan and Riffat Salamat.
Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan belongs to the Sham Churasi school from East Punjab — a school of music with a long tradition dating to the Mughul times of Emperor Akbar, established by the two brothers Chand Khan and Suraj Khan. His uncle Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan and father Ustad Salamat Ali Khan are the internationally acclaimed classical singers from the 10th generation of the Sham Churasi school.
Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan began performing at the age of seven. His first performance was at the Lahore Music Festival in 1979. He has performed throughout Europe and at key venues including the Smithsonian Institute (1988, 1996), World Music Institute at New York's Metropolitan Museum (1988) and Merkin Concert Hall (1991). He is the recipient of the Amir Khusro Award (1986), the Gold Medal from Faislabad University (1987), and the Ghanda Award from New Delhi University (1995).
Groomed by his father, the late Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan was one of the leading representatives of the Shamchaurasi Gharana. He was initiated into classical music at the age of seven by his illustrious father and used to accompany him along with Shafqat Ali Khan.
His debut performance was held at Pakistan Centre Al-Falah, Lahore in 1968 and he performed solo after the death of his father in the late 90's. He toured extensively in USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, India, Afghanistan and Africa.
Produced by Richard Michos
On October 7, 1996 X DOT 25 Music entered an agreement to produce an ambient album for the Salamat Ali Khan family. Richard Michos (guitarist), son-in-law of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, started production of this ambient album. The production started with pure solo vocals of the 3 Ustads and the musical soundscape was built around the vocals — a superb, beautiful, unique and timeless result. Michos plays guitars, synthesizers, percussion and samples, with additional santur, violin, piano, wind chimes, harmonium, and even Stephen Kent on didgeridoo and Alan Kushan on Santur. → View Richard Michos full profile
