In 2022, CCV executive director Jon Lohman stepped into a recording studio in San Antonio, TX, with bluegrass legend Peter Rowan and a powerhouse lineup of Texas Tejano greats to explore the Tex/Mex roots running through Peter’s music. With support from CCV, the result is Tales of the Free Mexican Airforce,…...
Saami and sons tour captivates audiences in three states
From April 4–6, Khayal living legend Ustad Naseeruddin Saami, his sons, and their student Zeb Bangash embarked on a sold-out, three-city tour, captivating audiences in Queens, NY, Vienna, VA, and Chicago, IL with support through the Center for Cultural Vibrancy. Each evening began with Zeb Bangash making her Khayal debut.…...
CCV presents Ustad Naseeruddin Saami and sons with special guest Zeb Bangash
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami is a classical vocalist of rarely heard depth, power, and presence. He is a master of both khayal (which roughly translates to imagination) and qawwali, and the very last living practitioner of a mesmerizing and ancient 49-note microtonal vocal scale that dates back over 800 years. Join…...
Khayal as Cure: Transformative Music with Ustaad Saami & Sons, 2025 Residency Application
We are excited to announce the opening of applications for an exclusive 4-week apprenticeship with Ustaad Nasiruddin Saami and his sons, The Saami Brothers. This unique opportunity offers intensive 1:1 and group training sessions focused on the fundamentals of voice culture (finding your true singing voice) and an exposure to…...


