Pakistani rock symbol Ali Azmat began his career as lead singer for the iconic Pakistani rock band Junoon (dubbed the U2 of South Asia by the New York Times). A solo artist since 2003, he is now reinventing the South Asian music scene, exciting audience everywhere with his fervent and poetic synthesis of east/west musical traditions.

Born in Pakistan, Ali began singing professionally when he was very young. He was only seventeen when, his original song, “Dosti,” propelled him to stardom. Dosti means “friendship,” and in 1999 Junoon was invited to India by the Indian Prime Minister, to sing “Dosti” as a signal of peace between India and Pakistan. In October 2001, he sang it again, this time on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly with an Indian band. The New York, Times and the Village Voice among others wrote rave reviews of his performance, the only rock concert ever held at the UN.