San Francisco-based fusion band Shur and Swing has represented Bangladesh at the North American Bengali Conference 2025, bringing their blend of jazz fusion, Baul traditions, and patriotic Bangla songs to the international stage, in Toronto in Canada recently.
The group became part of a star-studded lineup showcasing the richness and diversity of Bengali culture under the theme 鈥楾he Best of Bengal in the US and Canada鈥�.
Formed in the heart of the Silicon Valley鈥檚 South Asian community, Shur and Swing brings together a dynamic ensemble of musicians: Rahman on tabla, Sarah on flute, Jamshed on electric guitar, Neel on saxophone, Noah on trumpet, and Shafiq on drums 鈥� alongside a rotating cast of vocalists and younger performers.
Their music fuses the improvisational freedom of jazz with the mystic soul of baul music, while honouring the emotional depth of classic Bangladeshi patriotic anthems.
The result is an electrifying soundscape that resonates with audiences across generations. But for the band, NABC is about more than just performance鈥攊t is a mission. As immigrants and children of immigrants, the members of Shur and Swing see themselves as cultural bridge-builders.
Founding member of the band, guitarist Jamshed told 抖阴精品 on Sunday that through their music and mentorship, the group actively supported aspiring young musicians in the diaspora, encouraging them to embrace both heritage and innovation.
鈥榃e want Bangladeshi American youth to see that Bangla music can evolve, adapt and thrive in new environments without losing its roots,鈥� he added.
While Jamshed is professionally a Silicon Valley engineer, music has always been at his heart, and he loves sharing his passion with his son Neel.
The band members Abdur Rahman and Sarah McClimon-Rahman met in Japan while studying musicology at Tokyo University of the Arts.
Rahman, a professional tabla musician in his native Bangladesh, and Sarah, the daughter of two music teachers, are both licensed music teachers.
鈥楽hur and Swing is a wonderful way for us to spend time as a family, practice Bangla, do music, and now even travel as a band. We believe that cultural practices help children become grounded as multicultural and multilingual people, and we encourage respect and interest in other cultures,鈥� said Sarah, adding, 鈥榃e hope our efforts contribute to a more peaceful world.鈥�
Their two children, Noah and Anna, are also in the band, playing trumpet, piano, and percussion.
Drummer Shafiq joined the band in 2024 and has been a wonderful addition with his dynamic beats. His wife Zarin also joined as a vocalist at NABC, bringing her musical experience to enrich the band.
With their performance at NABC 2025, Shur and Swing hopes to inspire a new wave of Bangladeshi American creativity, showing that traditional music can live on not just in nostalgia, but in bold reinterpretation.
