San Francisco-based fusion band Shur & Swing is set to represent Bangladesh at the upcoming North
American Bengali Conference (NABC) 2025, held July 4–6 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
Known for blending jazz fusion, Baul traditions, and patriotic Bangla songs, the group is part of a diverse
lineup showcasing the richness of Bengali culture under the theme “The Best of Bengal in Toronto.
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Formed in the heart of Silicon Valley’s South Asian community, Shur & Swing features Rahman on tabla,
Sarah on flute, Jamshed on electric guitar, Neel on saxophone, Noah on trumpet, and Shafiq on drums,
alongside a rotating cast of vocalists and young performers. Their sound bridges continents—fusing the improvisation of jazz with the mystic soul of Baul, all while honoring the emotional weight of Bangladeshi patriotic music.

But Shur & Swing’s mission goes beyond performance. Founding guitarist Jamshed, a Silicon Valley engineer, shares the stage with his son Neel, who also plays the banshi. “We want Bangladeshi Americanyouth to see that our music can evolve, adapt, and thrive in new environments without losing its roots,” he says. The band actively mentors younger musicians and encourages cultural creativity among the diaspora.

At the heart of the group are Drs. Abdur Rahman and Sarah McClimon-Rahman, who met while studying
musicology in Japan. Both licensed music teachers, they moved to the U.S. in 2012 and now perform
alongside their children, Noah (trumpet and piano) and Anna (percussion). “Shur & Swing lets us practice Bangla, do music as a family, and now even travel together,” says Sarah.“We believe cultural practices help children become grounded as multilingual, multicultural people.”

Since joining in 2024, drummer Shafiq has added powerful new energy, and his wife Zarin will join the
band as a vocalist at NABC 2025.

With their bold reinterpretations of Bengali tradition, Shur & Swing hopes to inspire a new generation of
Bangladeshi American musicians—and prove that the stage can be a space for both heritage and
innovation.