Imran Ahmed

mran Ahmed – Jazz Guitarist (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

Imran Ahmed is a jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Known for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and fluid improvisations, he is among the few musicians shaping a modern jazz voice from South Asia.

Drawing inspiration from both classic and contemporary jazz, Ahmed blends the harmonic richness of the tradition with subtle influences from South Asian rhythms and melodic sensibilities. His primary project, the Imran Ahmed Quartet, has become a platform for original compositions and fresh interpretations of standards, performing regularly in Dhaka’s emerging jazz scene and beyond.

Beyond the stage, Ahmed is the founder of "Butternote - A Jazz Cafe" along with Towfiq Arifin (Jazz drummer) and Apurba Mustafa (trombone player). It's Dhaka’s first dedicated jazz cafe and performance space. Butternote serves as both a home for live jazz and a creative hub, hosting local and international artists while building a vibrant community around the music.

Over the years, Ahmed has collaborated with local and international musicians, carving out a space for jazz in Bangladesh where the genre is still a rarity. In addition to performing, he is an active educator and community-builder, helping nurture a new generation of jazz listeners and players through workshops, jam sessions, and cross-cultural projects.

Whether on stage at intimate clubs or in larger festival settings, Imran’s playing reflects a deep respect for the jazz tradition while carrying a personal sound rooted in curiosity, storytelling, and openness.

Awards

N/A

Gear

Ibanez Ag95, epiphone Dot studio (blue), Fender Strat mexican, Gypsy Jazz guitar, Mooer Ge300, Maya stratocaster, Fender Twin-reverb 1965, Rotosound strings. 

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