Sabbir Nasir’s journey back to music
Once a regular face in Dhaka's music scene, Sabbir Nasir disappeared for 20 years and built a successful career in the corporate world. But music found a way back into his life.
Sabbir Nasir started his journey as a singer towards the end of the last century. Then he stepped back, and for almost 20 years, he had stayed away from music.
Meanwhile, he built a successful career in the corporate world, heading a number of companies over the years.
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In 2018, he decided to return to music. 'Tumi Jodi Bolo,' 'Fagun Asche,' 'Boishakhi Melai,' 'Tomra Hobo Bole,' 'Horsho,' 'Mrito Jonaki,' 'Poka,' 'Amare Diya Dilam Tomare,' 'Jol Josna' and several other songs of Sabbir Nasir was released after 2018 and caught the attention of music aficionados. Sabbir has been a part of the world of music since his childhood. His mother Ashrafunnesa used to sing classical Rabindra Sangeet. Recalling the memories of those days, he said, "It was towards the beginning of 1970s. Ustads used to come to our house regularly. My father loved music very much. So I got my first music lessons from my family. My mother was my first mentor."
Later, Sabbir Nasir studied music at a music school. "But at the time I did not think of doing music or becoming a singer. Rather, I found music boring," Sabbir said.
In the 1980s, Sabbir's elder brother got involved with band music. His brother and his brother's friends used to play the guitar. Sabbir also started playing the guitar inspired by them. At the time he got admitted to Saint Joseph's School. There was a church beside the school, where he learnt playing piano.
In 1987, Sabbir along with several friends founded a band group named Nightingales. He was a teenager at the time. Nightingale used to perform at different programmes like Gaye Holud and fresher's reception.
Sabbir Nasir quickly earned a reputation as a stage and studio guitarist. He came to Dhaka from Khulna and got acquainted with Prince Mahmud, James, Babna Karim, Niloy das and Ayub Bacchu.
Reminiscing about the days, he said, "I went to James bhai because we both used to play Blues. I also got to know Ayub Bachchu bhai, Mac bhai, Hamin bhai, Romel bhai and many others in the music world later. Meanwhile, Nightingales ceased to exist. The members of the band moved to different places to pursue their studies."Sabbir founded a new band named Metamorphosis in Dhaka. 'Jirno Shohore Brishti Name,' the first album of the band, was released in 1998.
Sabbir was influenced by Psychedelic blues especially by the Doors and by Jim Morrison and Mark Knopfler's guitering from the start. It was apparent in the first album. The album was well-received by the blues lovers.
But then he suddenly left music. There was some resentment towards the music industry as well.
He said, "Musicians in our country have never been evaluated properly. There were problems with payments. The neglect of musicians made me feel reluctant to do music. The situation has not changed much as yet. But still I cannot leave music. That is why I am here."
Towards 2016-2017, Sabbir met an American coach at Harvard.
He said, "We sat for a session. She urged me to return to music and I also felt the need to do music again. I bought a guitar on her recommendation. I started practicing the guitar chords at home. I had almost forgotten how to play the guitar by that time."
Then Sabbir talked to many musicians, including Adit and Tusher. Foad Naser Babu, Fuad al Muqtadir, Shafiq tuhin and many others also got involved with Sabbir's songs. One after another song was published. He also sang unpublished song of Maestro Lucky Akhand and Golam Murshed .
Sabbir said, Tahmina Parvin was my first sponsor for any song. She was also the lyricist for Fagun Ashcche. Tusher, Mahadi and Asif bhai from Gaanchill also inspired a lot in my come back. I am so grateful to them. Meanwhile, Sabbir formed a band group named Black Moon. The band performed on stage and at radio, TV stations.
Sabbir said also, "Actually, I want to do the songs that will connect people easily. And I miss stage performance. The excitement of stage is different. I will definitely do it when things return to normal."
Towards the end of the conversation, he gave good news. He already worked with an international musician who won Grammy Award two times. If everything goes well, the songs will be released soon.
