Ustaad Naseeruddin Saami, widely regarded as the last living master of the 49-note microtonal scale, is receiving global recognition as he and his sons — The Saami Brothers — establish a powerful new presence in New York’s cultural scene.
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Their journey reached a milestone last month when they were honoured with the prestigious Patron’s Award at the 2025 Aga Khan Music Awards in London.
Once confined to intimate circles in Pakistan, Saami’s khayaal and riwayati qawwali traditions are now drawing diverse audiences across the United States. The family has created a dedicated base in New York, where they perform regularly and run a khayaal residency attracting students from across North America.
The Saami Brothers say the move was driven by the shrinking space for classical music back home. They recall years of artistic struggle, limited platforms and mainstream neglect, despite carrying one of the Subcontinent’s oldest musical lineages traced to Amir Khusrau’s disciples.
But in New York, they found the revival they long hoped for. Weekly mehfils, multicultural audiences and a renewed hunger for spiritual, meditative music have given their centuries-old traditions a fresh global spotlight.
Their home in Brooklyn, lovingly called Ustaad Ghar by students, has become a thriving cultural hub. Musicians, opera singers, sound healers and members of the South Asian and Arab diasporas regularly gather to learn, listen and engage with the Saamis’ microtonal heritage.
The family’s strategy has been simple: introduce listeners to accessible qawwali before guiding them into the deeper, intricate world of khayaal. The approach has worked — with the ensemble now preparing to perform at New York’s iconic Lincoln Center next year.
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For Jaan, as he is called by all, this recognition is not fame but a spiritual affirmation. He says the purpose has always been the same: to preserve the pure notes, protect the sacred sound, and pass it on to those who truly seek it.