Music
When people hear the word Bangladesh, they might think of frequent flooding, or perhaps where their H&M t-shirt was made.
Those more politically-minded may cast their minds to the recent instability, and a Gen-Z uprising which—with some irony—brought back the old guard.
British people may think of the culinary influence this outpost of the Commonwealth has had on the sceptered, and now spicier isle.
Famously, the most popular dish in the UK is chicken tikka masala, created by Bangladeshi immigrants for the palates of their new neighbors.
What doesn’t occur to most people is that, as well as masala sauce, the country is also home to some of the richest melodies in Asia.
Steeped in the mysticism synonymous with South Asia, and connected to the fertile soil and riverine landscapes of the delta nation, the music is equally lush.
Heading to Shanghai at the end of March is one of its finest modern ambassadors, representing its storied history and—befitting its young population—an optimistic modernity.
Armeen Musa hails from a musical family that is also prominent in the legal world—a fitting contradiction that, in many ways, encapsulates one of the world’s most densely populated nations.
“When my mum was born, the family really shifted into academics and law, and it was assumed we would move away from musical life,” she tells us in slightly hushed tones (the result of a cold).
Her own nascent law career stalled early; studying in the UK, she switched majors to graduate with an economics degree.
However, the lure of melody pulled her away permanently from numbers to the musical notes of her ancestry.
To that end, she studied at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she found it “was the best place for someone like me, who is interested in global music education.”
The experience helped her find Bangladesh’s rightful place within that global sound, ultimately leading to her intriguing blend of modernity and traditional Bangla sensibilities.
A highlight for Armeen was collaborating with the acclaimed Bobby McFerrin, a frequent visitor to Berklee, who introduced her to the magic of choral singing—a rarity in Bangladesh, where solo voices, “crying in the wilderness of the mind,” are more the norm.
McFerrin introduced Armeen to “spontaneous composition, based on African tribes—he goes to a city, works with singers and recreates songs live on stage.”
This led to her involvement in the Berklee Indian Ensemble, a multicultural group of musicians linked to the college who released the album Shuruaat, which blends South Asian classical and folk traditions with jazz, rock, and other global influences.
Armeen’s contribution was a song called ‘Jaago Piya,’ the lyrics of which were written by her mother.
Presumably, that smoothed over any potential copyright claims one might wish to avoid with a lawyer (knowing Bengali mothers, it might have been an issue).
That the album was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 65th Grammy Awards may have also helped.
The achievement made Armeen the first Bangladeshi composer to be associated with a Grammy-nominated album—a distinction that speaks both to her talent and to the relative worldwide ignorance of Bangladesh’s musical depth.
Indeed, the reaction of many when first introduced to Bangla music is how mesmerizing it can be—an adjective well suited to Armeen’s passion project upon returning home: The Ghaashphoring Choir, a collective who “take folk and classic Bangla songs and put them into choral versions with Western harmonies.”
For those who seek them out on Spotify or YouTube, the results are well worth the effort.
So, what can the audience at the Pearl expect on March 26, given that Armeen is performing solo?
“As a music director I’m constantly doing things that are big, but my actual sound as a singer-songwriter is quite intimate.” Armeen says. “The Bangladeshi dramatics absolutely live inside me.”
For the audience, that will translate into lovely melodies from an often misunderstood or overlooked nation with so much to share—starting with its beautiful music.
Armeen Musa @ The Pearl
Grammy-nominated Bangladeshi singer-songwriter Armeen Musa opens the night at The Pearl on March 26, bringing her soulful blend of Bangla melodies, jazz and global influences to Shanghai for the very first time. Expect an intimate set from one of Bangladesh’s most distinctive modern voices.
Her show is followed by an Adele & Amy Winehouse tribute concert. Tickets are valid for both.
Scan the QR code to get yours now:
Thu Mar 26
Doors 6pm
Armeen Musa 7.30pm
Adele & Amy Winehouse Tribute 8.30pm
RMB150
The Pearl, 471 Zhapu Lu, by Wujin Lu 乍浦路471号, 近武进路
About the Author
Badhrul Islam is a teacher of English Literature at Shanghai American School.
[All images courtesy of Badhrul Islam / Armeen Musa]