Syed Zain Al-mahmood

But for the vagaries of fate and fortune, pianist and composer Kishon Khan could be sitting at his workstation preparing econometric models. Instead, the 38-year-old British Bangladeshi musician is making waves with his Afro-Cuban-Bangla Jazz bands Motimba and Lokkhi Terra. Through sweet yet fiery performances at venues ranging from Queen Elizabeth Hall to the Kew Gardens, Kishon and his group have become one of the hottest properties on the World Music scene.

When Kishon Khan led Motimba out onto the stage at Radisson Water Garden Hotel for their first concert in Bangladesh on 30th October, no one knew quite what to expect. Bangladeshi audiences have not had much exposure to Afro-Cuban music, and the island is better known for its cigars and Fidel Castro. Kishon has never performed in public in this country, and had no idea how the music would be received. The ambitious tour to Bangladesh, a country dominated by pop and rock, itself took courage. But courage is something Kishon Khan has in abundance.