SUBHI KHANNA
Subhi is a singer/songwriter based in Chicago. She released her debut Hindi Pop Jazz album titled “Shaitaan Dil” (Naughty Heart) on September 15th, 2017. The album release show was hosted by Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago and co-presented by The Jazz Institute of Chicago. The show was part of the Jazz Club Tour 2017 as well as the celebrated World Music Wednesdays series.
For the album, Subhi worked with renowned musicians from the Chicago Jazz scene including Joaquin Garcia (Piano), Rajiv Halim (Saxophone), Ivan Taylor (Upright Bass) & Gustavo Cortinas (Drums).
Her music promotes cross-cultural exchange of creative dialogues. Subhi’s songs showcase a blend of her Indian roots and the prominent Jazz culture of Chicago. It was during her travels back and forth between Mumbai and Chicago that she composed the songs that became her debut album titled Shaitaan Dil (Naughty Heart).
Her band consists of members from India, Mexico, Belize and America — all living in Chicago and all blending the cultural diversity of our their nation into her music.
Anchoring it all together is Subhi’s earthy and organic voice. Her musical exuberance is matched only by her vivacious personality.
Subhi began her career working as a music assistant to Oscar winning Director Mira Nair. She worked on Monsoon Wedding: Musical, a Broadway show in New York. She went on to work as a songwriter, lyricist, and vocalist for acclaimed short and independent feature films in U.S. While in India, she worked with the National Award winning director Nila Madhab Panda on his feature film. She has also worked on projects with leading Indian digital platforms, including The Viral Fever (TVF) and Y-Films (YRF).
She performed at SXSW 2018 at the legendary Jazz venue Elephant Room. She was also the opening act for the popular band Red Baraat as part of their Mid-West tour in C.S.P.S. Hall (Cedar Rapids) & Dakota Jazz Club (Minneapolis).
In November 2017, Subhi was a speaker & performer at the TEDx Naperville 2017 annual conference. She has also performed at several venues including Lotus World Music & Arts Festival (Indiana), Red Poppy Art House (San Francisco), Brooklyn Raga Massive (New York City), Navy Pier Miller Lite Beer Garden Stage (Chicago).
Earlier in 2017, Subhi performed at various venues in Chicago including Martyr’s, Sabor A Cafe, The Whistler (Star Align Series), Elastic Arts (Anagram Series) & SoFar Sounds Chicago to name a few.
In 2016, she performed at the ‘Eye On India’ festival in Chicago and her songs have been featured on NPR (WBEZ), WLUW 88.7 FM (Radio One Chicago), WGN TV & International show ‘Music from around the World’ on WHPK 88.5 FM.
