​​​Turquoise Lake​

Where East meets West

Turquoise Lake is a collaboration between Afghan American vocalist Humayun Khan and renowned composer Douglas J. Cuomo. Blending the raga tradition of South Asia and poetry of Sufi masters with the harmony and improvisation of jazz, they create a joyfully virtuosic music that celebrates the cultural diversity that is Americas's highest ideal.

​This world music ensemble, made up of members from a range of backgrounds and faiths, features Khan on vocals and harmonium, Cuomo on electric guitar, augmented by tablas, drum kit, trumpet, saxophone, piano and electric bass. The band draws on the raga traditions of North India and Afghanistan, Farsi poetry of the great Sufi masters, Afghan folk melodies and ghazals, along with the improvisational techniques of jazz and rock.

The heart of Turquoise Lake is the melding of sounds of East and West, but there is another, deeper purpose as well. We are committed to the ideal that music can serve serve as focal point for bringing together people (both musicians and audiences), upbringings, and religions in the service of a higher purpose - to experience a communal joy and celebration. In this we are in fact a very American band, reflecting one of America’s highest ideals.  Turquoise Lake reminds us of the possibility of what the world could be; and in fact what it already is, if only you have a chance to experience it that way.​

​This is Turquoise Lake   (5:48 highlight reel)