Fareed Haque

Fareed Haque is a guitar virtuoso known for blending classical and jazz traditions in his music. Born to a Pakistani father and Chilean mother in 1963, he was exposed to various musical styles early on. His talent was honed at North Texas State University and Northwestern University. Haque’s career took off after joining Howard Levy’s Chevere and later, Paquito D’Rivera’s ensemble, with whom he toured and recorded extensively.

His versatility led him to work with Sting and record two albums on Pangaea. He also made notable appearances at the Montreux Jazz Festival. At Bluenote Records, Haque released three albums, collaborated with numerous jazz greats, and performed classical recitals, highlighting his diverse range.

Joining Joe Zawinul’s Syndicate brought him back to his Jazz/Rock roots. In 2001, he co-founded the jam band Garaj Mahal and later, MathGames, exploring electronic music and the Moog Guitar. His compositions, including a double concerto premiered by The Chicago Sinfonietta, and his Gamelan Concerto, showcase his compositional talent.

Haque has received multiple accolades, including ‘Best World Guitarist’ by Guitar Player Magazine in 2009. His recent work includes performances with jazz and classical ensembles and the release of several albums like “Out of Nowhere” and “Trance Hypothesis.” He continues to direct jazz festivals, perform worldwide, and teach, with recent projects featuring global artists and a renewed partnership with Goran Ivanovic. After a long tenure at Northern Illinois University, Haque is focusing on touring and recording, reflecting his enduring passion for music.