American bluegrass band, Hamza Akram Qawwal set the stage on fire

Bluegrass is a music genre not many have heard of in this part of the world. A form of American roots music related to country music, bluegrass has influences from folk, blues as well as jazz. With this amalgam, it gives birth to a sound that’s totally unique.

In contrast to modern music, it goes back to the days where songs and music were used to tell stories – like town people around a campfire at night, playing a fiddle and singing of their experiences. This is what one gathered from a live performance of American bluegrass band Henhouse Prowlers at PACC on April 12.



Prowlers’ first visit to Pakistan is organised by the US State Department. The band, which started in 2004 in Chicago, comprised Ben Wright, Jon Goldfine, Aaron Dorfman and Kyle O’Brien. They have travelled across the world in the last decade or so.

PHOTO: JAMEEL AHMED

But as compared to other Western countries, Pakistani audience is a different ballgame altogether. Even then, the response to bluegrass music was surprisingly positive. As the four-man band picked on their cello, mandolin, guitar and banjo, the audience could be seen grooving to the catchy sound.

Further, what truly mesmerised the audience was not merely the Prowlers, but rather their performance alongside Hamza Akram Qawwal and Brothers on the popular Dama Dam Mast Qalandar. No one can doubt the ability of qawwali music to engage the crowd and the qawwal brothers did but nothing else.



As the tablas and the rhythmic claps provided a rhythm, they fused with the strings of the Prowlers. While Akram and Brothers sang the verses, the Prowlers supported it with the repetitive Dama Dam Mast Qalandar – like a hypnotic chant.

In fact, while the audiences seemed to enjoy it, they were much more engaged when Akram made the guests sing sargam – musical notes sung in succession in eastern classical. The night was full of qawwali with a dash of bluegrass – a surprising complimentary drink which you didn’t know you needed but loved it anyway.

PHOTO: JAMEEL AHMED

The more animated sound of qawwali fused with the softer tones of bluegrass and the result was a fun experience.

“Fusing qawwali was not that difficult because of my education in western classical,” Akram told The Express Tribune. “We only jammed for an hour, then did sound check and performed live. It was fun collaborating with Henhouse Prowlers because I don’t put boundaries on qawwali, and they don't (Henhouse Prowlers) limit themselves. That’s why it all fused together to create this beautiful track.”



Prowlers member Goldfine also spoke highly of the qawwal brothers.

“They are so professional, talented and they know what they want to do. So, it made the collaboration easy,” he said. “I think the qawwali/bluegrass fusion couldn’t have sounded any better.”

Have something to add in the story? Share it in the comments below.