Bio

Sahara Jane is a multi-faceted musician blending influences from Afghan, Indian, and Canadian musical styles in a unique and uplifting way. She is a vocalist, composer and sarangi player. In their new show and upcoming album, Something Good, Sahara Jane and rhythm master Ken Shorley create a new soundscape of global electro-acoustic fusion.

Growing up with musical parents from both Afghanistan and Canada exposed Sahara Jane to a wide range of sounds and influences which have shaped her musical life. She toured Canada extensively in the early 2000s playing clubs and festivals with her sister Kamila Nasr. After honing her skills in the Canadian music scene, from the pubs of St. John’s to the folk clubs of Vancouver Island, Sahara Jane headed for India and became deeply immersed in Indian and Afghan classical music. She began her studies with sarangi maestro Ustad Sultan Khan in Mumbai in 2006, and later learned from master musicians Pandit Dhruba Ghosh, and Vidushi Tulika Ghosh in Mumbai, as well as musical mentor Joep Bor in Amsterdam. In 2010 she rejoined her sister in China where she worked as a jazz singer in the Beijing scene. During that time she had the opportunity to play with jazz musicians from all over Europe and China. Sahara Jane continues to perform and connect with music scenes in India, China, Europe and Canada. She is often invited to be a panelist and guest lecturer to share her unique perspective and understanding of musical styles and cultures.

Her 2019 release, Between Worlds, is a fusion of Eastern and Western influences tied together with carefully crafted lyrics and deeply felt grooves. Between Worlds was very well received and has been played extensively on CBC radio.

Sahara Jane also plays with ASHK World Music Ensemble, OMBAK Gamelan Ensemble, and her improv quartet, Quilting, which was recently nominated for an East Coast Music Award on their debut self-titled release on the Telephone Explosion record label.