Trumpet, Composer
Qudrat Wasefi, a visionary young Afghan musician, has harnessed the power of music to defy adversity and advocate for positive change. In 2023, he founded the Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra, aiming to reunite Afghan musicians who have lost connection or hope amidst their homeland’s challenges. His music serves as a catalyst for peace and freedom.
Born into a conservative family, where music was considered sinful, Qudrat’s journey to become a renowned trumpeter, composer, and poet was transformative. At eight years old, he joined an AFCECO orphanage in Kabul, where his love for music flourished. He studied music for a decade at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music and founded a chorus group for children from AFCECO orphanages, composing patriotic songs that embodied Afghan resilience.
instrumentalist & Producer
Born and raised in Afghanistan, Siddique Ahmed (aka Sohrab) is also the founding member of Kabul Dreams, the country’s first Rock band. A lifelong musician, Sid is talented in a variety of instruments, including keyboard, bass guitar, violin, and most recently, the Rubab. This traditional Afghan instrument holds a special place in Sid’s heart, as it allows him to stay connected to his roots even while being away from home.
composer, producer
Composer, producer and award-winning documentary filmmaker Dan Blackwell has been collaborating with musicians all around the world since 2013 with the aim to unite people of all backgrounds and promote peace.
In 2017, Dan traveled to Kabul to film Sisters, a documentary about Zohra (Afghanistan’s first-ever female orchestra). Sisters was screened in the UK Houses of Parliament to help raise awareness in the UK government about the issues facing women in Afghanistan.
Percussion
Najib Angar, a young Afghan musician, was born into a humble peasant family belonging to a minority ethnicity that has historically faced discrimination from the ruling class. At the age of seven, Najib discovered solace and hope within the walls of the AFCECO orphanage, a nurturing sanctuary that recognized his exceptional artistic abilities. In 2011, driven by his passion, Najib pursued his dream by enrolling at the Afghanistan National Institution of Music. Although he initially studied the French Horn, he soon realized that his true calling resided in the realm of percussion, a domain that deeply resonated with his soul.
