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Salman
Ahmed's Infiniti
Junoon
Press Release
June 7th 2005
Tappan NY
Junooni Retains Omni Muzik to Market & Distribute its Infiniti Album in North
America
Junooni of NY has announced that Omni Muzik of San Ramon CA has been selected as
the Public Relations Company to market and distribute its debut music album
called “Infiniti” in North America starting June 1st 2005. Junooni is the new
business entity that Salman Ahmad, founder and lead guitarist of the Pakistani
Rock Band “Junoon”, has established in New York USA to support his new solo
music career. Nameless Records of NY will officially release the Infiniti Album
through Omni Muzik on July 1st 2005 in the United States.
Omni Muzik is an Entertainment & PR company based in San Francisco Bay Area
that focuses on promoting International music and culture in North America.
Omni Muzik has hosted several entertainment programs in the SF Bay Area and has
a wide network of contacts in South Asian and mainstream American entertainment
and media.
“Salman’s music genius, as demonstrated by Junoon album sales of over 20 million
to South Asians in the past 12 years, needs to inspire wider audiences in the
world music arena” says Dr. Erfan Ibrahim, founder of Omni Muzik. “By
establishing Junooni and releasing his debut Album, Infiniti, in North America,
Salman will be able to reach multi-cultural audiences more effectively. Omni
Muzik’s culturally diverse marketing and media channels will help Salman spread
the message of hope and peaceful coexistence through his Infiniti Album.”
Brief on Salman Ahmed
Salman Ahmad was born in Lahore Pakistan. He was raised in London, Middle East
and New York until he was 18 years of age. From a very young age Salman had a
passion for playing music. After spending his teen years in New York attending
Tappan Zee High School, Salman returned to Pakistan for a 5-year medical degree
from King Edward Medical College in Lahore. Salman’s parents had a dream of
seeing their son become a medical doctor. Salman’s devotion to his parents gave
him no choice but to fulfil this dream.
Soon after completing his medical degree and living up to his parent’s academic
expectations, Salman decided to pursue his own dream of being a musician. In
the early 90s, Salman joined the popular POP band, Vital Signs, and began to be
recognized in Pakistan as a talented guitarist. After a few years with Vital
Signs, Salman formed his own band, Junoon, to introduce social consciousness
into the Pakistani music scene. According to Salman’s own words “ I wanted
music to break the shackles of repression and dogma” Junoon became the “message
of love, freedom, passion and never giving up.”
Today, some 12 years, 9 Albums, and over 20 million in worldwide sales later,
Junoon has undoubtedly become the # 1 Rock Band of Asia with a strong following
of South Asians in Pakistan, India, Persian Gulf, Europe, and North America.
Junoon has received several coveted awards from both the Indian and Pakistani
music industry as well as being ranked #1 Asian Band by V Channel, even edging
out the Back Street Boys for the award!
All this glory, fame, and recognition was not sufficient for Salman Ahmad of
Junoon. He wanted to remain at the forefront of music creativity and raise the
consciousness in society for the plight of the poor, the illiterate, and the
weak in the world. With these creative ideas, Salman moved to NY from Pakistan
in 2003 and embarked on a solo music career alongside his role as the leader of
Junoon. Two years and many hours in the recording studio later, Salman is about
to release his debut solo album “Infiniti” under his new identity of “Junooni”.
Salman’s Musical & Social Achievements
Salman is and has been a member of two of Pakistan's most popular music groups:
Junoon and Vital Signs. He is the author of over 200 music compositions. These
include: “SAYONEE" which was # 1 on MTV Asia for a record 12 weeks, “JAZBA
JUNOON”, the official theme song of the 1996 cricket world cup and “AZADI” for
the musical soundtrack of the film JINNAH (starring British actor CHRISTOPHER
LEE). He has also written songs in English such as “NO MORE” which has been
featured on BBC and PBS in their documentary films "Rockstar and the Mullahs"
and "It's my country too". The Secretary General of the UN, Kofi Annan, has
designated Salman as the UN Goodwill Ambassador from Pakistan on UNAIDS.
Salman's future career plans include collaborating with western artists like
Bono of U2, Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and other like minded musicians who
believe in peaceful coexistence in a world polarized by fear and hate.
Omni Muzik interviewed Salman Ahmad on June 5th 2005 with the following
questions to shed light on his latest musical work, near term plans, and
philosophy on life:
1. Why have you launched a solo album at this time in your career?
Answer: I've launched a solo album because my new environment of New York has
inspired me to write music, which I've recorded with western musicians Jay
Dittamo and John Alec. The songs represent my current New York State of mind.
I'm a NY Desi.
2. What is your philosophy on life?
Answer: Philosophy is to live and celebrate the moment, to be infinite in one's
imagination and thinking.
"khudi ko kar buland itna kay har takdeer sey pehlay, khuda bandey sey khud
poochey bata terey raza kya hai"
Translated means: "EXALT YOUR SELF-BELIEF TO SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS THAT GOD HIMSELF
IS COMPELLED TO MAKE YOU SUCEED IN YOUR CHOSEN DESTINY.”
3. What do you intend to accomplish from your solo career?
Answer: My solo career will bring me artistic growth and help me evolve to being
a truly global artist
4. Does Junoon have a future? If so, how will Ali and you create music half a
world apart?
Answer: Ali and I will come back fresh from our solo projects and collaborate on
a Junoon album next year, Inshallah.
5. What is your vision for South Asia and peaceful resolution for political
conflicts in the region?
Answer: India and Pakistan will resolve all conflicts provided the governments
read the signs of the 21st century: "regions progress not individual nations."
If they allow free cultural and socio-economic activity to take place, the
people will have a reason to wage peace.
For instance, if a Pakistani child needs a heart operation and can be treated in
an Indian hospital at a lower cost than flying out to the West, then all
questions of religious and racial prejudice will take a back seat. It becomes
immaterial whether the doctors are Hindu, Muslim or Sikh. Similarly, if
Pakistani and Indian farmers can sell their wheat and cotton across the border
for greater profit it will automatically strengthen their human bond with each
other.
6. What can South Asian residents of America do to bring peace and prosperity
to their homeland?
Answer: South Asian immigrants in the US need to forge bonds of friendship and
economic/cultural cooperation and become examples of how Indians and Pakistanis
should get along back in the home country.
7. What does peaceful coexistence mean to you?
Answer: Peaceful co-existence is living life to the full and celebrating
differences of race, religion and ethnicity "UNITY IN DIVERSITY"
Salman’s Infiniti Album is available on a pre-release special offer through Omni
Muzik until June 30th 2005. For information on the Infiniti Album or ordering
details please visit www.junoonis.com or contact Omni Muzik Founder & CEO, Dr.
Erfan Ibrahim at erfan@omnimuzik.com or call (925) 735 -1009. Omni Muzik is a
trademark of TBB LLC, of San Ramon CA.
Junooni is based in Tappan NY. Junooni can be reached through Samina Ahmad by e
mailing at saminadr@gmail.com . Junooni is a trademark of Junoon Inc. of Tappan
NY.
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