The Pakistani clarinet maestro Jaffar Hussain Randhawa continues the tradition of Hindustani classical music with airy, patient compositions. Accompanied by exceptional musicians on tabla and harmonium, he will be visiting ALICE this autumn with his new album “Guldasta”.

Jaffar Hussain Randhawa is one of Pakistan’s most renowned clarinetists. He is among the few in all of South Asia who continues the now rare tradition of performing Hindustani classical music on the clarinet — a Western instrument not typically heard in classical Hindustani genres like raags and thumris. Jaffar Hussain Randhawa was born into a family of the great brass band Punjab Band, founded by his grandfather in the mid-20th century. Jaffar Hussain himself was trained by Ustad Sohni Khan and was deeply influenced by the legendary Ustad Sadiq Ali Mando, one of the continent’s most famous classical clarinet players.

Jaffar Hussain Randhawa distinguishes himself from tradition with his masterful clarinet performances of classical Hindustani genres such as raag, thumri, and kafi, where he skillfully conveys the melodic ornamentations central to the music. At the same time, he demonstrates a strong creative precision in his approach to laya (rhythm) and layakaari (interplay). The result is airy, patient compositions that are hard not to linger on. Despite his long career, Jaffar Hussain Randhawa has only recently released his debut solo album “Guldasta”. The album was recorded live on the rooftop of his house in Shahdara on a misty winter afternoon, with his preferred accompanying musicians on tabla and harmonium under the Alam. The title, meaning “bouquet,” paints a poetic picture of the music where different raags and styles come together, with each flower having its own distinctive fragrance. If you love Hindustani classical music, this is your chance to experience one of the great names when Jaffar Hussain Randhawa performs at ALICE this November with his trio.