My Compelling Story

Suhail, is a devoted Sarangi player, who has been hailed as a child prodigy in the world of Hindustani classical music. Continuing in the family tradition, Suhail draws from a rich musical heritage and is the eighth-generation Sarangi player. Coming from Moradabad-Rampur and Senia gharana of Miyaan Tansen, he is the grandson of the famous sarangi legend – Padmabhushan and Padmashree recipient – Ustad Sabri Khan, and nephew of the sarangi genius, Ustaad Kamal Sabri. At the age of seven, Suhail began learning to play sarangi, under the tutelage of his uncle and grandfather, in the ‘Guru-Shishya Parampara’, which is the traditional Indian schooling method of imparting of knowledge from the Guru (teacher) to the Shishya (student). Suhail gave his debut LIVE performance at the age of 11, with his grandfather and uncle. Since then, he has performed extensively in India and abroad – covering France, Belgium, Italy, all of Scandinavia, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malayasia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, South Africa, the Middle East and the UK. Suhail is a multifaceted artiste who is also a music composer, singer and songwriter. His versatility extends to varied genres of music from Indian Classical music to contemporary rock fusion, jazz fusion, world music, and folk music fusion. The British Council, New Delhi, has Suhail as a Cultural Ambassador from India to the UK. He also has the honor of being a graded musician with All India Radio, the Indian public radio broadcaster. A brief account of what keeps Suhail totally busy and involved on different levels in his profession can be seen below : Advaita, India’s primary fusion act – Suhail is a member of the band and is composer/singer/songwriter/Sarangi player with the band since it was formed 11 years ago till present. Adi & Suhail, the Duo with Suhail and Aditya Balani Dehlvees, a pop electro act where Suhail is the other half contributing with vocals and the melodious strains of the Sarangi that merge beautifully with this genre   International Acts  Folk Nations – a UK folk group well acclaimed in both, UK and India Dan Walsh & Suhail Yusuf Khan Yorkston Thorne Khan – with James Yorkston, John Thorne Hauz Khas Connection – with Hyunpill Shin from South Korea, and Vishal Nagar from USA   Appearances at International Festivals Alchemy – South Bank Centre, London Aberfeldy Festival – Scotland Glastonbury – England Europalia – Belgium Jarasum Jazz Festival – South Korea Oslo World Music Festival – Norway Namaste India – Paris, France World Economics Forum – Switzerland Shared History Festival – South Africa Kala Utsavam – Singapore Ted Conference – Edinburgh, Scotland Celtic Connections – Glasgow, Scotland India By The Nile – Egypt   Appearances at Festivals in India  Swami Hariballabh Festival of Indian Classical Music – Jallandhar, Punjab Kala Ghoda Festival – Mumbai NH7 Weekender – Pune, Delhi, Bangalore Jaipur Literary Festival Delhi International Arts Festival Indie Earth – Chennai SAARC Bands Festival – New Delhi Strings Festival – Kolkata   Albums Grounded in Space and the award-winning album, The Silent Sea – Advaita Experimental Batch Number 26 – a Dewarist's album with renowned artistes from the UK Culture Code Lansdcape – Adi & Suhail Milaap – the Hauz Khas Connection album Lonely Meadow – an Indian Classical album as a Soloist The Sabri Family – with his grandfather, the legendary Ustad Sabri Khan and his uncle, Ustad Kamal Sabri?   TV Shows Coke Studio – Season 1 & 3 MTV Unplugged The Dewarists – Star World BBC Asia Beats – BBC World Doordarshan 1 MTV Indies – Top 10 Countdown Advertising/Radio shows Composed music for TV and Radio commercials FORBES India magazine featured Suhail in a leading article on India’s young Under 30 outstanding achievers, for his dynamic and manifold music accomplishments As an accomplished musician, Suhail works hard to bring his music to a wider national and international audience, and to gaining greater recognition for the Sarangi.