Born
in Pakistan, Mo grew up in the UK where he was exposed to music and art from
all over the world, ranging from the Indian film scores of his childhood to
the rock, soul and jazz that are the foundations of the contemporary music
styles found in one of the worlds most vibrant cities. Mo took up the guitar
at age 15 and started playing in local bands right away. Since then he has
gone on to play with some of the most prestigious musicians and bands in the
UK.
A
professional musician and composer for twenty years, Mohammed Nazam is also
a respected music educator. In February of 2005 Mo was invited to
participate in two events for HRH The Prince Of Wales. One was an awards
ceremony for the Princes Trust, in the presence of HRH, whilst the second
project saw the Prince attending a recording session led by renowned music
producer Trevor Horn (who has produced world–wide hit records for Frankie
Goes to Hollywood, Seal, Yes and Buggles).
In
March 2005 Mo was invited to a special Celebration of British Music at
Buckingham Palace, hosted by HRH The Queen and Prince Phillip, which was
attended by over 500 guests, including some of the most influential and
popular musicians, composers, artists and producers from the British
Music Industry.
As
a session musician, Mo has recorded, toured or appeared on TV with:
PETE
BROWN (ex CREAM: ”Sunshine of your Love”)
PERCY SLEDGE (“When a Man Loves A Woman”)
JAZZ WARRIORS
KEITH WAITE
BBMak (USA tour 2000)
1000 Clowns (“Not the
Greatest Rapper” UK top 5)
THE
PASADENAS ( “Ridin’ on a Train” UK no. 1)
GWEN GUTHRIE
BOBBY
BROWN
OLETA ADAMS
TOM
BROWNE (“Jamaica Funk) )
STEVE
WILLIAMSON
ANITA
KELSEY (DARK CITY, BOND)
STEVEN DANTE
CHRISTINE
LEVIN
BETTY BOO
LIFES
ADDICTION
LOOSE ENDS
ORPHY
ROBINSON
MONDESIR BROTHERS
SYBIL
LORETTA HEYWOOD
(ex- Bomb the Bass
JOHN
SECADA
GUY SIGSWORTH
(ex- Seal)
OFRA
HAZA
WELDON IRVING
MN8
JOCELYN BROWN
RUBY
TURNER
ANGIE BROWN
In
1995 Mo decided to form his own group focusing on the concept of mixing all
his diverse influences, from Jimi Hendrix to Ravi Shankar by way of Miles
Davis. The debut tour of The MO NAZAM GROUP proved to be a huge success,
receiving praise from the public and critics alike. Combining passionate
playing with melodic, flowing compositions the group have played at many
prestigious events such as the Soho and Bracknell Jazz festivals and two
concerts at the Royal Festival Hall, one of which was opening the show for
jazz legends Al DiMeola, Stanley Clarke and Jean Luc Ponty.
In
1996 Mo was asked by the Maya Dance Company to compose music for their new
work "Jantrik" was conceived by Piu Bannerjee and Mo composed
three new pieces for Piu to choreograph to. The debut performances were in
February and the work drew rapturous praise from audiences and the media.
In
early 1997 Mo was commissioned by the Soho Jazz Festival to write a new
composition to be debuted at the '97 Festival, held in late September.
Established for 12 years the Soho Jazz Festival is an internationally
renowned event and this was the first time that a new piece of music has
been especially written for the festival. The piece highlights the variety
of cultural and musical styles that Mo has been involved with as a musician,
composer and avid fan.
In
1999 Mo, together with computer wizard Phil Thompson, was commissioned by
Serious Productions (one of Europe’s leading music promoters) for a
one off project. The X Foundation, featuring random musical ideas generated
by computer fractals combined with a live band, was a psychedelic sci fi
extravaganza that (in true Rock ‘n’ Roll spirit) split IMMEDIATELY after
it’s first performance, due to musical differences.
But
of course, that’s not all.
Since
2001 Mo has worked with The Prince’s Trust on their residential SoundLive
courses teaching socially disadvantaged young people (homeless, substance
mis-users, ex-offenders) to play instruments and perform live. The
weeklong course features a strong focus on personal development, team
working, communication and motivational skills. Each day the students learn
music from around the world and work in bands, culminating in a grand gala
concert at the end of the week. He
also teaches guitar and leads Jazz workshops at Richmond Upon Thames College
in Twickenham.
For
much of the 90’s Mo wrote articles and reviews for numerous music
magazines including Melody maker, The Guitar Magazine and Making Music.
For the Guitar Magazine he interviewed such legendary artists as John
McLaughlin, Allan Holdsworth, Mike Stern, John Scofield, Steve Lukather, Al
DiMeola and Robben Ford. Recently he started writing for the Guitarist, one
of Europe’s leading music magazines, and has so far written pieces on
George Benson, Pat Metheny, Todd Rundgren and a cover story on John 5.
Currently
he’s trying to get some sleep.
Mo
Nazam's
Cosmosis
CoinciDance
productions is proud to announce that 1998 will see the
launch of a new project led by acclaimed guitarist/composer
Mo Nazam : COSMOSIS will feature a blend of Jazz,Indian,Space
Funk and contemporary Dance idioms in a mind-expanding
way.Mo's new direction promises to be an exciting
continuation of the innovative sound established by his band
in the two short years since its debut.
!997
saw the band go on to great success,performing live in venues
and festivals across the country and on national TV. Amongst
the highlights were a blistering set at Ronnie Scotts in
Birmingham during the Birmingham International Jazz Festival
and a superb performance at Londons Portobello Festival where
the band played on a a lovely warm summers evening to a
rapturous crowd of over 700 in tiny Portobello Green.Mo also
had the privilege to be commissioned by the Soho Jazz
Festival (with the help of the Arts Council of England) to
write a new piece for this prestigious and internationally
renowned festival.The work ,entitled "Welcome To
Utopia" ,made it's debut in front of a capacity
crowd,receiving critical acclaim for it's daring use of
diverse musical styles and intense passion.This important and
innovative composition will be the focus of future concerts
by MO NAZAM and COSMOSIS.*
The
band also made their national TV debut in 1997,playing live
on BBC2's "Network East" arts magazine
programme.They performed the song "Forgive Me"
(with a special line-up featuring guitar,vocals,tabla and
bass ) garnering a phenomenal response with the Network East
offices receiving a record number of calls from a delighted
public.The band will also be performing at the press launch
for "Network East Live '98", an arts and lifestyle
show at the NEC which will feature music fashion and fillum.
If
you would like to discuss bookings,live dates ,tapes or if
you'd like to receive a rather irregularly published COSMOSIS
newsletter please contact us by email in the first instance:
mo@nazam8.freeserve.co.uk
With
more festival ,concert and TV appearances planned for !998
the future looks so bright we gotta wear shades!
*
Just in case you 're wondering : "COSMOSIS" is a
combination of two words: "cosmos" and
"osmosis".Make of it what you will......
Now that I've
had my fill of Mo Nazam's life TAKE ME HOME!!!!
