Declared “the coolest rock star in the world right now” by UNCUT, and known for her arresting mix of jazz, pop, blues, folk, and Urdu poetry, Arooj Aftab is a Grammy-winning and seven-time Grammy nominated artist. In 2022, she became the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy for Best Global Music Performance for “Mohabbat”. In 2024, she released Night Reign—a luminous, critically acclaimed album that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Jazz Album, with its standout track “Raat Ki Rani” nominated for Best Global Music Performance.
The Pakistani-American singer, composer, and producer first gained attention with a viral cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and later studied jazz at Berklee College of Music. Her 2021 breakthrough album Vulture Prince was named one of the best albums of the year by many publications, and earned a place on President Barack Obama’s Summer 2021 playlist. In 2023, she released Love in Exile, a collaborative project with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily, which earned her another Grammy nomination and the Edison Jazz Award.
Aftab’s live performances have captivated audiences at Coachella, Glastonbury, Primavera, and more. With her singular sound and magnetic presence, she continues to transcend boundaries and invite listeners into her spellbinding sonic world. In 2022, Aftab performed to a sold-out crowd at the Chan Centre for her Vancouver debut—we are thrilled to welcome her back.
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