Ustad Latafat Ali Khan or 'Khan Saab' as he is more intimately known belongs to a very famous caste & family of professional Indian Classical Musicians, most of which have been recorded in history as legendary singers. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, he is the second oldest son of the late maestro, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, and nephew to Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan. The 'Ali Khan' dynasty are masters in the classical vocal art known as Khyal & the ancient Dhrupad as well as semi-classical styles including Ghazals, Bhajans, Dadra, Kafi & Thumri. North Indian folk music, especially from the Punjab province of the sub-continent are easily rendered in classical raga forms, passed down from centuries of this ancient musical culture. The 'Ali Khan' dynasty have their own distinct style of singing known as the 'Sham Chaurasi Gharana', where 'gharana' refers to a specific school of music. The 'Sham Chaurasi Gharana' initially formed centuries ago in East Punjab (now in India) in the district Hoshiarpur region near Jallandhar. Latafat Ali Khan has been learning since he was born, because it has been the family occupation for over 600 years, going back to his ancestors Mian Chand Khan & Mian Suraj Khan, who were the famed court musicians of Moghul Emperor Akhbar in the 16th century. Latafat is a direct blood descendant of these two court musicians. He is based in London & performs all around Uk, and has toured extensively around the world in many prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall with his father back in the 80's. Latafat is the brother of the singers (oldest to youngest), Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan, Ustad Sukhawat Ali Khan & the renowned Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan. Latafat's most famous sister is the husky voiced 'Riffat Sultana', who is also a great ghazal singer in her own right. On his mothers side, Latafat is the nephew of vocalist Ustad Hussain Bakhsh Gullo. Latafat Ali Khan is also the cousin of the new bollywood sensation, Rafaqat Ali Khan, who is the son of his uncle Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan. Shujat Ali Khan is the son of Sharafat Ali Khan, thus the nephew of Latafat Ali Khan, and is a young rising star who has appeared in many competitions, the most notable being in Saregamapa.
The Late Legendary singer Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an admirer of Latafat's family's art, and incorporated it into his style of singing. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan refers to Salamat & Nazakat Ali Khan as his idols in one of his biographies, "As a child in my parents' home, I got to know the masterly art of khyal singing. They've been my idols ever since" (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan). Latafat has won many awards and trophies for his sweet, Melancholic, velvety voice, including the annual award for best artist at the late Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khans memorial in 2004.
Latafat Ali Khan also sung the soundtrack "Allah Hoo" from the film "East Is East". This festive song is known as a Qawwali, and was popularized by the great legend 'Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan' decades ago. Latafat also plays the Harmonium (Indian Accordion), Surmandil (Indian Zither Harp) & Tanpura (Drone lute). Latafat uses complex melodies (Ragas) & Difficult rhythms (Talas), in true improvisation to captivate his audience, which he uses to uphold his family tradition. Latafat is at great ease improvising in Jazz or any type of music, western or eastern and is able to perform with any artist regardless of musical genre. He sings comfortably in Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Persian & even Arabic. The reason for Latafat's unique & complex singing style is due to excessive vocal training with the Tanpura (Drone Lute) & harmonium, and the exercises are known in the east as 'riaz'. Latafat has also inherited most of his singing from his forefathers, which has been passed down through blood lineage for many centuries. Latafat & his family have been known to practice vocal exercise constantly for up to 20 hours a day, even sometimes with very little or no sleep. Many of the great famous singers from India & Pakistan (including from the bollywood industry) have learned, or become true disciples (involving the traditional ceremonies) of Latafat's family, including artists such as the female Sufi singer Abida Parveen, & Hans Raj Hans (a renowned Punjabi & bollywood playback singer). Master Artists such as Ghulam Ali & Mehdi Hassan also took training from Latafat's father.
Kamran is Latafat Ali Khan's guitarist. Latafat is inspired by Kamran's guitar, whose style is very oriental in flavor thus complementing his voice. Kamran's aim is to improvise around and mirror Latafat's voice. Note: The guitar playing in the above recordings of Latafat are not played by Kamran, & Latafat always performs live with Kamran. Kamran's guitar music is influenced by Indian classical, Greek, Persian, Arabic & Gypsy music.
Kamran can also play the ektara (or tumbi) which is a single-stringed traditional Punjabi folk banjo. Its high pitch has a sharp tone and attack and can be heard with its distinctive sound in mainstream music.
Latafat Ali Khan's Discography includes his Albums: Mukhra (1995), Chaand Nagar (1996), as well as the song 'Allah Hoo" from the film soundtrack album "East is east".
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