Louis Armstrong once said, “If you have to ask what Jazz is, then you will never know.” Sachal Studios was born to produce the music of melody, acoustic harmony and rhythms that rock the heart.

Composer and businessman Izzat Majeed is uncompromising, and feels at home in the studio. He has very few words to say, but his search for melody and creating a creative work place, allows one to delve into unimaginable possibilities of music and art. The ensemble, which includes several veteran musicians, primarily from the ‘old film industry’, have pointed out that there has never been a platform for jazz such as this one in Pakistan. In fact, the orchestras which had been connected to the studios, whether EMI or leading film composers such as Robin Ghosh and others, never provided these musicians the opportunity to perform live. The band that debuted at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, London in 2012, is now becoming a staple for some of the biggest jazz festivals across the globe; recently they performed at the Lincoln Center, alongside Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra.

“Take Five was something that became global and after the albums we were invited to some of the pre-eminent festivals in jazz,” says Majeed. “So our year is full, and I think the important thing is that it keeps our great musicians very happy and innovative. They get to learn a lot, meanwhile we get to continue what we enjoy doing.”

This weekend they prepared for one of the few local concerts that they have performed at; Al-Hamra Arts Complex saw their performance as part of the Lahore Literary Festival. Majeed ensures that the band does not compromise on the sound and venue. The live performance rehearsals are intense and when the team gets together, it is pure magic.

A major component of the studio, composer and arranger Riaz Hussain passed away and has been succeeded by his son Najaf Ali, who leads the performances as a conductor and maintains a sense of energy amongst the ageing veterans.

“I think right now wherever Jazz is being heard, Sachal Jazz ensemble is there. We have been really successful. I mean, Jazz at Lincoln Center is considered a mecca for this music and we had the opportunity to perform with one of the top musicians in the Jazz world. We plan on moving forward, you will have to watch out for us,” says Ali.

The Jazz ensemble is an extension of the studio’s other folk and classical projects, but the success and exclusivity is something that has given many of the musicians an honour they have not experienced before. Ali explains that the studio’s Take Five track provided it with a sort of accessibility and credibility. Its albums and performances have been readily talked about through the jazz world.

Ustad Ijaz Hussain, or Baloo Khan as he is known by, is their well-known tabla player. He says the success of the jazz ensemble has been connected to the fact that they have not compromised on their preparation and the musicians involved were the best in Pakistan at the peak of their abilities. This is about the drive to get them together and create something exciting. “Wynton Marsalis said we have a magical house, because we are doing what we have learnt over the years. It’s not about jazz, it’s about what we have learnt,” says Hussain. While the documentaries about the studio show these musicians struggling to make ends meet, Hussain points out that during his first concert in the 70s, Noor Jehan was his announcer and he had worked relentlessly with the likes of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan since then. “We have been waiting for the time to perform and teach, because that’s the duty of an ustad. He should play in such a way that the world enjoys, but also learns about the music at the same time,” Hussain concluded.

With these live performances, the musicians are back to what they do best – bringing down a house.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2014.