Jaubi

Jaubi is an instrumental quartet based in Lahore, Pakistan, that has become a pivotal bridge between the South Asian classical tradition and the global spiritual jazz revival. Led by guitarist Ali Riaz Baqar, the group includes Zohaib Hassan Khan on sarangi, Qammar Abbas on percussion, and Kashif Ali Dhani on tabla.

Their sound identity is defined by the 'raga-jazz' synthesis, where the complex rhythmic cycles (tala) and melodic frameworks (raga) of North Indian music are filtered through the improvisational lens of 1960s modal jazz. A key element of their process is the rejection of written notation; all compositions are developed through ear-to-ear communication, preserving a raw, intuitive energy. Culturally, they represent a new wave of Pakistani musicians reclaiming traditional instruments for contemporary, cross-genre expression. They have gained significant critical acclaim through collaborations with the UK jazz scene and the Polish group EABS, positioning them as central figures in the modern international jazz exchange. Their work often explores themes of spiritual purification and the 'ego' (Nafs), aligning them with the lineage of spiritual jazz icons like Pharoah Sanders and John Coltrane.