03-30-2013 Adnan Sami Concert
Chicago IL: Adnan Sami staged a live concert on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Sears Center, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, Ill. The multi-talented pianist, singer, composer, actor, and musician, also reputed to be the world’s fastest keyboardist, was back in Chicago after eight years with a spectacular new show presented by Combined Oil Company, Live 2U, and Desi Bazaar. Sami mesmerized an enthusiastic crowd of more than 3800 listeners for about 3 hours.
British-born 39-year old Sami is of Pakistani origin, currently holds Canadian citizenship, and lives in Mumbai, India. His style merges Asian and Western music styles and instrumentation and ranges from classical to jazz to modern pop-rock. The first person to play Indian Classical music on the electric piano, Sami is featured in a documentary recently commissioned by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office amongst the ten most famous names from India and Pakistan, who have influenced Asian culture in the UK over the last fifty years. He is committed to experimenting with new styles and forms rather than be taken hostage by past successes.
Sami started by singing “Allahu Akbar” and showing his virtuosity on the keyboard. He went on to sing the following songs: Mehbooba mehbooba, Dil kya kare, Dil keh raha hai, Chain mujhe ab aaye na, Sun zara, Roshni kahaan meri, Mere khuda, Ishq hota nahin, Ek ajnabee se, Meri baahon main, Kuch lafdaa hai, Udi udi, Ishkan ishkan ho gaya, Naino se naino ko mila, Kabhi toh nazar milaao, Yeh zamin ruk jaaye, Bheegee bheegee raaton main, and finally brought the curtain down with his famous song Lift kara de.
The evening began with a 13-minute nonstop performance by the new young talented group, Yeh Cheez. Guitar-playing Noman Khan danced amidst the crowd to “Challa” (from movie Jab Tak Hai Jaan), transitioning to “Avi Avi” (Band Baaja Baraat) as Tanya Sharma joined him on stage to finish with “Second Hand Jawani” (Cocktail). Nishma Patel then sang solo: “Sadi Gali” (Tanu Weds Manu) and Aashima Ghai, closing with “Chikni Chameli” (Agneepath). Anand Bhatt entertained with dance moves, stunts, and a mix of songs, such as “Pani Da Rang” and “Race 2.”
Khan returned with a two minute medley of “Shahid Kapoor with a hint of Punjabi Tadhka,” which started off with “Hadippa,” then “Punjabdiya Di Battery,” “Nagada,” “Sajh Dhaj Ke,” and “Desi Beat.” Nishma, Aashima, Bansari, and Viraj joined him on stage for their synchronized choreography of “Mauja Hi Mauja.” The four girls then danced to the 2013 favorite “Fevicol Se” (Dabbang 2) that culminated in “Desi Boyz”.
Coming onstage to “Don’s Dialogue” in the background, Kevin Tony made the first moves and froze. Anand Bhatt joined him to a dialogue from “Rowdy Rathod” and performed the second verse. Finally, Khan and Sharma joined in to “Race 2’s Dialogue” and all eight performers danced to “Desi Boyz” remixed by DJ Afridi in an amazingly novel way, and transitioning seamlessly into “Gangam Style” which drove the crowd crazy.
Vandana Walia invited sponsors of the event Sunil Shah and Jasbir Suga of Suga Builders onto the stage. A well-known Chicagoland personality and patron affiliated with the Federation of Indian Associations and New York Life Insurance Company, Shah felicitated the audience for this opportunity to experience a legend and credited Karl Kalra, young and dynamic national promoter and CEO of Live 2 U Entertainment, who drew thunderous applause.
Shah also recognized the Mayors of Schaumburg and of Hoffman Estates, Al Larson and William McLeod respectively, who also came up on stage, for their unswerving support of the Desi community in its various secular and religious activities. Larson appealed to residents of Hoffman Estates to support and vote for William McLeod on April 9 as he stands for reelection as Mayor. Both mayors thanked Sunil Shah and Karl Kalra for having invited them and expressed their delight at meeting Adnan Sami and listening to his music with such an enthusiastic crowd of music lovers from their respective townships.
After the concert, Sami thanked his musicians: Pawankumar (guitar), Deepak and Vishal (keyboards), Shyamraaj (saxophone), Abdul (flute), Gaurav Chopra and Roosvelt (sound). Stage décor and lighting was managed by Vchilli. Launched in Chicago, the concert tour will take Sami to Houston, New Jersey, Washington DC, Boston, and the Bay Area.