Shahzad Ismaily

Multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, and master improviser Shahzad Ismaily has become a much-sought-after session musician owing to his instrumental prowess and knowledge of the musics of many different cultures. Ismaily was born in 1972 in Philadelphia to Pakistani immigrant parents. An outsider as a child due to his race and physical abnormalities (he was born with a rare genetic condition), he took solace in music. Largely self-taught, with innate deep intuition, he mastered a variety of instruments, including the electric and double bass, guitar, banjo, accordion, f...