Following its independence from British rule, Pakistan has witnessed significant developments in the Pakistani jazz scene. What made it possible is the collaboration of Pakistani artists with numerous artists from the West.
In the ‘50s, the singer-saxophonist Jannu Vaz formed a band with two soon-to-be extremely influential artists in Pakistani jazz music, saxophonists Alex Rodrigues and Dominic Gonsalvez. Rodrigues believed this band to be the first jazz group in pre-independence Pakistan. In the ’50s and ’60s, American jazz legends Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie performed in concerts and gigs, which was crucial. These gigs allowed for collaborations across cultures.
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