Noori (Urdu:نوری, literal English translation: “light”) is a rock band from Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, formed in 1996. The group was formed by songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist, Ali Noor, along with his younger brother Ali Hamza, who were soon joined by bassist Muhammad Ali Jafri and drummer Salman Albert. Since the inception of the band, there had been many changes in the line-up; the only consistent members being, brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza. The band are considered as one of the pioneering forces behind what is dubbed as the "21st Century pop revolution of Pakistan".
The band are known for being one of the pioneers of the Pakistani rock music scene. Although, initially the band, formed by the two brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza, the latter left the band to pursue studies at Lahore University of Management Sciences. However, Ali Noor and Muhammad Ali Jafri continued playing for the band and recruited drummer Salman Ahmed, who soon left and was replaced by Farhad Humayun. The band then went on releasing several singles which included, "Jana tha Humne" and "Tum Hans Diyay" after which Humayun also departed. The band recruited Louis J. Pinto (aka Gumby) on drums and Murtaza Jaffar on guitars. Soon afterwards, the band started to work on their debut album Suno Ke Main Hun Jawan (2003) but before the release of the album Ali Hamza joined the band once again on vocals and guitars in place of Jaffar who left the band. Noori took the shape of a four-member band and went on releasing their debut album. After two years, the band went on recording and releasing their the critically acclaimed second album Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jani Ki Gol Dunya (2005), after which bassist, Ali Jafri left the band and started his own business. In 2006, drummer Louis J. Pinto (Gumby), also left the band, as he was busy doing side projects with other bands as a session player, apart from the blood brothers, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza. After a 2-year hiatus, the duo made their comeback into the music scene in 2008 by releasing their first ever song written "Do Dil". Playing
In 2009, the band featured at the second season of the musical television show Coke Studio, also performing in the next season the following year. The band then started working on the release of their third studio album. However, in 2011, Louis J. Pinto (Gumby) and Muhammad Ali Jafri rejoin and Noori reunited to its original four-man line up; as it was at the launch of their debut album. In 2013, Gumby parted ways with the brothers again citing personal reasons and Jafri was also nowhere to be seen in live concerts played by the band.
[Read more on Wikipedia]
