Mohamed Assani is a sitarist and composer, known for his genre defying approach to music making. Trained in both Indian/Pakistani and Western Classical music, his music-making seamlessly draws from different genres and cultures with depth and authenticity. According to the Georgia Straight Newspaper, “Assani is both a musician who’s deeply rooted in the artistic traditions of South Asia and a one-of-a-kind innovator who’s bent on ensuring that those age-old forms will survive and grow in the modern era.” Mohamed has recently been nominated as ‘Instrumental Artist of the Year’ for the Western Canadian Music Awards 2021.
For Mohamed, music is an expression of the divine and the ultimate nourishment for the soul. He strongly believes that all good music is a gift that is channelled through a higher source that is bigger than us. Mohamed often turns to his sitar during difficult times to receive the healing gifts that music has to offer, and also strives to share this gift with his listeners. During the pandemic he composed the piece Solace to comfort and uplift the spirits of those who were suffering.
Mohamed has brought his sitar to new audiences across the globe through innovative collaborations that have stretched the boundaries of his instrument. Career highlights include co-writing a sitar concerto that was performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, performing for his Royal Highness the Aga Khan and being invited to teach at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Music. Recently Mohamed was also invited to perform at the residence of celebrity couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas.
In April 2020, Mohamed launched his newest album, Wayfinder. Using a refreshing, contemporary sound palette, Wayfinder incorporates a range of stylistic influences, including Indian/Pakistani Classical, Middle Eastern, jazz, funk, Western Classical, ambient & electronic music. It was produced by Juno and Emmy nominated producer, Adham Shaikh. According to Vinyl Chapters, “The way Mohamed Assani has manipulated, caressed and amalgamated so many different styles under the watchful rule of his sitar playing is nothing short of mesmeric.”
Mohamed’s musical journey began at Dartington College of Arts in England, where he did a degree in Western Classical and World music. He then went on to learn sitar in the traditional way and is a senior disciple of Ustad Ashraf Sharif Khan of the Poonch Gharana. Mohamed is a leader in his field – forging new paths for his music to develop and grow, while remaining committed to the rich roots from which his tradition has emerged. Mohamed currently teaches at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music in Vancouver, Canada.
Check out his website MohamedAssani.ca
Original Music Composed by Mohamed Assani for Indian Summer Festival at the Orpheum, Vancouver 2021
Awakening - Mohamed Assani. Produced by Tiny Lights Festival, BC
