Ustad Saami

Ustad Saami is a master of a centuries-old form of devotional music linked to the Islamic Sufi tradition. Based in Karachi, Pakistan, he's considered one of the last living practitioners of the surti (or Surti) style, a highly nuanced and microtonal vocal art that predates Qawwali. Ustad Saami's work blends elements of classical South Asian music with spiritual themes, and he performs in multiple languages including Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Urdu. His music is deeply meditative and is often described as transcendent, offering a powerful listening experience rooted in both spiritual tradition and improvisational vocal mastery.

Discovered by Grammy-winning producer Ian Brennan, Ustad Saami came to wider international attention with releases like God Is Not a Terrorist (2019), Peace to All (2020), and Pakistan Is for the Peaceful (2022), which showcase his haunting, richly layered vocal style. Despite his global recognition, he continues to live and teach in Pakistan, passing on this rare tradition to his sons and students in hopes of preserving it for future generations.