Ali Azmat (Urdu: علی عظمت; born April 20, 1970 in Abbottabad) is a Pakistani musician, who gained recognition as the lead vocalist of the pop/rock band Junoon.
Music career
Early career
Azmat was born in Abbottabad and grew up in Garhi Shahu, Lahore, which he credits for his unconventional attitude. He went to Sydney, Australia for his higher studies, but due to financial difficulties, returned back to Pakistan before completing university.
His first band 'Jupiters' was known for performing covers at small gigs, such as weddings, in Lahore. While with them, Azmat wrote his legendary hit song Dosti. He later sang and recorded Dosti with Junoon, after which the song gained national fame.
Junoon
Junoon was Pakistan's biggest band famous for combining traditional poetry and instruments with rock music. Azmat was the lead vocalist of the band. With Junoon, he toured extensively, doing two North American tours a year since 1992. He performed in Europe, the Middle East and China and at the European rock festival, Roskilde in June 2000. He left Junoon in 2005 to pursue a solo career.
Solo career
Ali Azmat released his first solo album, Social Circus, in March 2005 to critical acclaim. Social Circus was a massive departure from Junoon's style and won 23 awards in Pakistan, including Best Album and Best Producer. In India, Azmat was nominated for Best Soundtrack and Best Song at the Sahara Awards held in London, for his single "Garaj Baras" in the Pooja Bhatt film Paap. Azmat's second album, Klashinfolk, was released in August 2008 and recorded at Mekaal Hasan Studios in Lahore. Klashinfolk also received significant critical acclaim across Pakistan, although (like Social Circus) it was not a huge commercial success.
Bollywood
Azmat made his Bollywood music debut with the song Garaj Baraj that was chosen by Pooja Bhatt, a close friend of Azmat. The song was picturized on John Abraham.
Apart from that, Azmat was also supposed to have his song, Balma in Tera Kya Hoga Johnny. The film never made it to the limelight.
During his times with Junoon, they were a huge success in India with their song, Sayooni.
Discography
Studio albums
- Social Circus (2005)
- Klashinfolk (2008)
Band
Azmat often plays rhythm guitar, besides singing, during concerts. He also plays drums but rarely in concerts. The current lineup of Ali Azmat's band for live performances and albums worked with him on Klashinfolk and has remained since. It includes Omran "Momo" Shafique (of Mauj) on lead guitar, Kamran "Mannu" Zafar on bass guitar and Louis J. "Gumby" Pinto on drums.
Television
Azmat has also acted in Pakistani television series. He also sang the title songs of many series. He played the role of a con artist in a Pakistani tele film. Azmat also wrote the theme song for a children television series, 'The Magic Tent'. Azmat also hosted a show called "Pappu Yar Tang Na Kar" for Aag television. He also starred in a telefilm, "ChaalBaz" in 2006 which was aired on ARY Digital. He has also worked with local pop musicians such as Omran Shafique from Mauj and Gumby, the former drummer of Noori.