ABBAS PREMJEE
Combining the beauty and grace of the ragas with contemporary sounds and grooves, Pakistani composer Abbas Premjee’s music spans many genres, from rock and jazz to world and classical. Raised in Karachi, he moved to the US at 16, where he cut his teeth in a variety of rock and jazz bands and developed his love of classical guitar. The Bachelors degree in Music Theory and Composition followed a Masters degree in Classical Guitar. Back in Pakistan, Abbas opened a recording studio and production house. He discovered Indian Classical music and took up the Mohan veena (a modern hybrid between a guitar and a sitar) taking instruction from legendary sitar player Ustad Rais Khan. Abbas’ 2008 debut "Elements" introduced listeners to the subtleties of jazz and classical guitar built on ragas and drones. 2011 he released "Crescent Moon", which saw Abbas foregrounding the Mohan veena. Since 2009 he lives in the US, working as a composer for media, a teacher and performer.
