Najma Akhtar

Who is Najma Akhtar?

Najma Akhtar, British born, vocalist, songwriter and actor has achieved a place in “World Music” history. Her music and work has been recognised and acknowledged as pioneering, as she has been the first person to create a new musical genre, using subtle jazz arrangements, vocal harmonies, vocal counterpoints and other nuances with the traditional South Asian vocal ‘Ghazal’ style.

Najma’s unique fusion and distinctive sound, has led to continuous new waves of inspired Asian artists, musicians and composers of Indian, Bengali and Pakistani decent following in her footsteps. She became, a role model, inspiration, a subject of curiosity as to ‘ was she come from India or Pakistan’, campaigner for various charities and much more. Along with the Indian semi-classical, Folk, Sufi, Bollywood, Indian underground and trance styles Najma’s ability allows her to perform not only in a multi-lingual capacity but also able to work and collaborate with artists from genres varying from the Rock world to Jazz, DJ’s and Western folk.

Apart from the new music, Najma was also ahead of the times e.g. in-terms of today’s criteria Najma ticked all the boxes, by having a very diverse multicultural, multiethnic and interfaith band. Jazz musicians such as saxophonist Ray Carless from Jazz Warriors, bassist John Deemer and other musicians that would either be of Gujarati or Punjabi origin from India and Pakistan and faiths crossing from Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism all working on one platform, creating, travelling and performing together. Unknowingly at the time and from the very onset via her creativity, Najma was also promoting, peace, harmony and community cohesion and it has been recorded in various testimonials that Najma’s unique voice, music and performance had huge impacts and made real positive influences in peoples lives at that time not only in the UK but all over the world. One incident would be noted ‘a person was stunned, shocked and very surprised when one evening, sitting in the middle of the jungle in Nigeria, with nothing but a small radio to listen to, Najma’s voice and interview came over the airwaves from the BBC World Service. This person was Najma’s late father.