Adnan Sami

INFORMATION

Artist Birthday : 15/08/1973 (Age 51)
Born In : London, United Kingdom
Occupation(s) : Indian singer, Music composer
Genres : Classical, Jazz, Pop rock, Fusion

Adnan Sami is the amalgamation of numerous talents that have garnered immense respect for the artist all-round he has matured into. Better known for his solo albums and catchy music the singer is a well appreciated international star with several accolades to compliment his stature. He is primarily known for his piano skills and for developing a unique style to play Indian classical music on the black and white keys.

Keyboard magazine has also entitled him as the ‘fastest keyboard player in the world.’ Sami can play more than 35 musical instruments other than the piano. Moreover, he holds the record for the highest selling independent album in India.

Adnan was born on 15 August 1971 in London to Arshad Sami Khan and Naureen Khan. His father used to a pilot in Pakistan Air Force who later became an ambassador to 14 countries. He started his education in Rugby School, West Midlands, UK. Then, he got his bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from the University of London. With an LLB degree from King’s College London, he completed his studies and qualified as a barrister from Lincoln’s Inn, England.

Adnan developed an interest in piano since the age of five and produced his first original note at the age of nine. He learned Indian Classical music from Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. Legendary singer, Asha Bhonsle insisted him to take music as a career after hearing him at R.D Burman’s concert in London.

He received a special award from UNICEF at the age of sixteen for writing a song for famine-hit Ethiopia. He has also won international awards like Nigar Award, Bolan Academy Award and Graduate Award. He is also the youngest receiver of Naushad Music Award for Excellence in Music, which has only been one by three people till date.

He collaborated with tabla maestro Zakir Hussain for his first album The One & Only in 1996. Continuing his golden run, he composed music for some Pakistani movies and released another album Kabhi To Nazar Milao (2000) which ruled the Indian Music scene for almost two years. It was then that he was bombarded with movie offers and invitations that made him a celebrity. In 2011 he was awarded with “Glory of India Award” by the Indian government.

Adban has married thrice till now, first to Zeba Bakhtiar then Sabah Galadari and finally Roya Sami Khan, and is a father to Azaan Sami Khan and Medina Sami Khan.

In 2016, he was given the official citizenship of India and has been performing on live shows since then.

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