Early life and education
His father, Shafqat Hussain (Sajan), was a Pakistani film actor and also a cricketer.Before Sajjad was born, he appeared for the first time in a film, Badal Aur Bijli in 1973.Sajjad did his F.A from National Art's College,because of which, his father, Hussain started teaching music to him with his classical collections. During Sajjad's training, Hussain played music from classical artists such as Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ustaad Barkat Ali Khan and Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan.
Career
Music
Sajjad's first classical hit album, 'Master Sajjad Sings Memorable Classics' was released in 1979 by EMI-Pakistan. The musicians were Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ghulam Ali and Amanat Ali Khan, while most of the songs were written by Hasrat Mohani, Momin and others.
Sajjad made his television debut in a program, Aap Janab by Athar Shah Khan. After this, he appeared in Rung Barangi Duniya by musician Sohail Rana. He also performed in a program Rag Rung in 1980 at the age of 14, however on the 25th anniversary of PTV's stage show, called Silver Jubilee by Shoaib Mansoor, Sajjad got real fame through the song, Banwari Chakori, originally sung by Noor Jehan.[2] On November 26, 1983, during a show, Sajjad sung the songs, Lagi Ray Lagay Lagan Yehe Dil Mein and Bawari Chakuri.
He produced Babia 93, Chief Saab and Sohni Lag Di.
His brother Waqar Ali is also in the music industry. Sajjad along with his brother, wrote lyrics for most of the songs in his albums, while lyricists, Sabir Zafar, Mohammad Nasir, Nadeem Asad, and Ali Moin have also wrote some songs
In July 2006, Sajjad released a single called Chal Rein De, a more classical song.On 3 September 2006, he released another single in a totally different genre with the help of Meloscience Corp.The song is known as Sajjad-Ali Sinsym Flight, and it is an experimental, jazzy, Sufi beat. In late April 2008, Sajjad released his album, Chahar Balish, which contained new tracks as well as some previous tracks such as Chal Rein De.
On 25 March 2010, Sajjad joined U.S. to promote "Life".He performed at the launch of a new music video produced by the Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns (PAIMAN), a U.S. assistance program.
Two new compositions of Sajjad Ali from the film Bol by Shoaib Mansoor were released by Tips music on 22 May 2011 in India and on 30 May 2011 by Fire Records in Pakistan.[5] He is also appearing in the second episode of Coke Studio with his song "Kir Kir", which will be broadcast on the major television channels across Pakistan on 5 June 2011.[6]
[edit] Films and television
Sajjad directed his first telefilm, Love Letter in 1989, and then his first full length motion picture, Aik Aur Love Story in 1998.Before that, he also performed as an actor and a singer in a film, Munda Tera Deewana which was directed by Zahoor Husain Gillani.[7] Sajjad has also sang songs for drama serials, Teri Yaad in drama serial Thori Khushi Thora Ghum (which was onair on PTV), Na Boloon Gi in Na Tum Jano Na Hum Janain (ARY Digital) and Sunn Leyna in Sunn Leyna ( ARY Digital ).[8] His brother, Waqar Ali also helped him during the making of these songs as he is credited too.[9]
Sajjad is appearing with his new songs in Shoaib Mansoor's upcoming film Bol which is releasing on June 24, 2011 as announced on the official website. Sajjad has confirmed that this song have been recorded in his own studio in Dubai and by the name of Din Pareshan hai, having two versions, according to sajjad ali this song is different from the song in his album Chahar Balish which has also the same title.
Critical acclaim
Musician, A.R. Rahman has described Sajjad as the original crossover. : "From the realm of the classical, he metamorphosed into one of the brightest lights of Pakistani pop.Always striking the right note, and never missing a beat, even the most hardened purist has to give Sajjad his due. This man can breathe life in a Ghazal even as he puts the V back into verve. He is one of the very few singers in Pakistan who seems a complete singer. As far as skill is concerned I feel nobody compares to Sajjad Ali. He is simply too good at everything he chooses to create."
Hans Raj Hans had said:"If I were to be born again, I'd like to be born as Sajjad Ali"
Personal life
Sajjad married his first cousin in 1989. Sajjad has four children from Noreen, two sons and two daughters.[13] Nowadays, he is settled in Ajman, United Arab Emirates with his family
