Popular musician Jimmy Khan, who first made his debut with ‘Pehla Pyar’ in 2011 and ‘Aisay Kaisay’ the following year, introduces a new avatar with Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears, a collaborative title and a brand new sound with ‘Nadiya’ as the first single from the album, releasing nationwide on 01st January 2014.
Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears include Jimmy Khan himself (Vocals/Guitars), Zain Ahsan (Ukulele/Producer), Sameer Ahmed (Bass) and Raavail Sattar (Percussions). Nadiya has been composed, written and sung by Jimmy himself and produced by Zain Ahsan with Sameer Ahmed on bass and Raavail Sattar on percussions. Nadiya is the first single from the untitled album and the song draws inspiration from 50’s/60’s film music, redone using folk instruments, it simply speaks of love loss.
Speaking about the release of Nadiya, Jimmy Khan has said, “As I continue my journey to discover my sound, with Jimmy Khan & the Big Ears, I’d have to say I’m the closest to where I want to be.
I think Nadiya is a song I had written in my head years before actually penning it down and to me it serves as an immediate reminder of classic film music; Nadiya is for all who miss the simplicity in songwriting and music and this new collaborative sound would not have been possible without the incredibly seasoned and talented Big Ears including Zain Ahsan, Raavail Sattar & Sameer Ahmed.”
A Lahore based artist, Jimmy has been an amateur performer since the age of 13 and has been a definitive part of the Lahore underground music scene 2005. During the early years he was part of the aptly titled ‘Cover Band’ which on numerous occasions has been known to feature music maestros like Mekaal Hassan, Louis J. Pinto (Gumby), Farhan Albert, Waqar Khan and Ahmed Ali Butt to name a few.
He is also a resident performer at Lahore’s popular restaurant Gunsmoke. Few of his most talked about performances are Jimmy Khan Live at Cosa Nostra, The Beatles Tribute at LGS, Annual Ball at Tetra Pak Pakistan, Levis Red Tab Gig at the Lahore Alhamra Auditorium and US Consulate private shows.
CREDITS
‘Nadiya’ features Kanwal Eshai, Ghanim Sial, Sameer Ahmad, Zain Ahsan and Raavail Sattar.
Artist: Jimmy Khan & The Big Ears
Song: Nadiya
Composition and Lyrics: Jimmy Khan
Guitars: Jimmy Khan
Ukulele: Zain Ahsan
Bass: Sameer Ahmad
Cajon & Percussion: Raavail Sattar
Producer: Zain Ahsan
Recording & Mixing: Mekaal Hasan at Digital Infidelity Studios
Director: Fatima Shah
DOP: Humza Yusaf
Edit/Post: Tabish Habib
About Jimmy Khan:
Hassan Jamil Khan, also known as Jimmy Khan, is one of Pakistan’s most exciting young musicians to emerge in 2011 in the mainstream media. A post-graduate from Beaconhouse National University, Jimmy started his music career performing at his school events for fellow students and faculty members. In 2005, Jimmy formed a ballad and funk lead band, Tansen, in which he was lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist which also staged a performance to a 400 strong audience at popular Lahore arts venue, Alhamra, for the handicapped and disabled in 2006.
The year 2006 witnessed Jimmy’s musical progression as he opened concerts for Pakistani music giants Noori and EP at a Levi’s sponsored event and for music sensation Atif Aslam the same year. He has performed at venues such as the Alhamra Open Air Theatre and the Kinnaird College auditorium to audiences of over two thousand. In 2007, the influential Beaconhouse National University Music Society asked Jimmy to headline a concert on campus, where he staged a solo performance to much acclaim.
It was at this event that one of his original English musical compositions, ‘Innocent’, was heard and bought and has since featured in an independent art film, Raastey. He was also one of the vocalists for the aptly titled ‘Cover Band’ which on occasion has been known to featuring music maestros Mekaal Hassan, Louis J. Pinto (Gumby), Farhan Albert, Waqar Khan and Ahmed Ali Butt to name a few.
Since 2009, Jimmy has acquired a residency at Lahore’s Gunsmoke where he performs cover songs and originals live every Friday and Saturday night. With his instrument of choice, an acoustic guitar, this enthusiastic and devoted musician has spent over half a decade in refining his art and musical skills leading him to record, and shoot a video for, his debut single ‘Pehla Pyar’.
In April 2011, Khan released ‘Pehla Pyar’ to much acclaim with fans and the press instantly dubbing the song as a feel good, cool and catchy summer favourite. In April 2012, Jimmy Khan has released his second single, ‘Aisay Kaisay’ which was recorded at True Brew Records by Jamal Rahman, who also produced the song, with final mastering at The Lodge – New York. ‘Aisay Kaisay’ features musicians Jamal Rahman on guitars, Sameer Ahmad [of Co-Ven and Mauj] on bass and Kami Paul on live drums.
Essentially a country and blues singer of remarkably sweet and effortless style, Jimmy Khan’s strongest influence comes from R.D Burman, B.B King, The Beatles, Attaullah Isakhelvi, Kailash Kher, J.J Cale, Simon & Garfunkel, Johnny Cash, Fleetwood Mac, Reshma, Mehdi Hasan etc.
Famous for his entertaining live shows and for his powerful vocals Jimmy Khan is a favorite at private parties and corporate shows alike. Few of his most talked about performances are Jimmy Khan Live at Cosa Nostra, The Beatles Tribute at LGS, Annual Ball at Tetra Pak Pakistan, Levis Red Tab Gig at the Lahore Alhamra Auditorium and US Consulate private shows.
Apart from solo performances Jimmy is known to work with multiple musicians in the industry under the title: Jimmy Khan and The Big Ears. Currently he is working on an album that entails his originals (both in English & Urdu) as well as some renditions of songs he has consistently been inspired by.
The current lineup for Jimmy Khan and The Big Years is Sameer Ahmed (Bass, Coven), Zain Ahsan (Ukulele/Guitar, Poor Rich Boy) and Ravail Sattar (Cajon, Poor Rich Boy).The first song from this album is to be released by November, 2013 with much anticipation.