Aamir Zaki (born 1968)  is a virtuoso guitarist/songwriter/singer from Pakistan. He was born in Saudi Arabia.

 His earliest musical influences of Middle Eastern music can be heard in works such as 'Somewhere In Asia' ('Inner Conflict Within One World') 

 

 Zaki was discovered first by Alamgir aged 16.  'Classic P.T.V.Global Video' shows him with Alamghir playing a Flying V that he built himself. Zaki continues to make his own guitars.

 

 Aamir Zaki's debut album 'Signature' was released in 1994 in Pakistan and pirated worldwide. Zaki was awarded a 'Soundcraft' Gold Disc for the debut. It sold worldwide gaining him a very loyal fan base of 'Melodic Guitar Music'.

               The album contained only one Urdu song, 'Mera Piyar' ; It reached Number 1 immediately and stayed at the top of the charts for years. Today 'Mera Piyar' is the most widely covered love song of the Pakistani Mainstream/Pop Music Industry, 

             

 Zaki is known for his unique melodic phrasing which often involves the use of raagas in a free Jazz like manner.

His uniquely melodic phrasing and composition can be heard as early as 1994 in 'The Day She Left'. The . 

                 

Zaki's experimental tabla rhythm compositions are evident in

'And She Danced Beautifully', a piece that mixes Taals of 11/4, and 8/4 in a  polyrhythmic style. Sometimes he plays a Raaga in the Eastern Classical manner but distinctly, it is the  fusion of Eastern and Western scales and the intense 'Feel factor' that he is known for.   

               

Zaki's second official release was 'Rough Cut'.

A duo of Aamir Zaki and Hadiqa Kiyani, 'Rough Cut' released an album of the same name, It was an all English album with only one Urdu song 'Iss Bar Milo' ('Rough Cut' 2005). 'Iss Bar Milo' recieved the award  for 'Best song/video' that year and reached Number 1 in the charts. Two english videos were released, 'Living This Lie' and 'Be With You'.

 Zaki wrote all the songs and played his custom tuned six string bass accompanied by the late great Ustad Arshad Ali on tabla. forming an Eastern/Western rhythm section for this 'Eastern Alt Rock' sounding album. 'Rough Cut' was appreciated more in India than in Pakistan for several reasons, one being that it was an English album with just one Urdu song;  'Iss Bar Milo' reached the largest audience and received 'Best Song/ Music Video Of The Year Award'.

 

                  

Aamir Zaki collaborates with international musicians and performs live with 'The Aamir Zaki Group', and played as a Guest in Coke Studio 7. 

 

 Zaki is currently collaborating with British composer and virtuoso violist, Sarah Sarhandi. They recorded a collection of  new pieces in Karachi in April/May 2015 including 'Dotted Waltz'.

In it's essence 'Dotted Waltz' is a  re-arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Minuet in G' rearranged in a rhythm of 3 & 1/2 beats in a bar - adding an Extra Breath. The effect can be experienced directly by dancing to 'Dotted Waltz's rhythm.

This subtle re arrangement of rhythm and accent gives a brand new 'flavour' to the classic Bach piece.  

 

 Aamir Zaki and Sarah Sarhandi's new album collaboration and performance project has been funded by Arts Council England/British Council (Artists' International Development Fund) and is also supported the UK by The Geraldine Connor Foundation.