After several years, singer SI Tutul is returning to the music scene with a new band, AB King. The band officially began its journey on August 16 this year, coinciding with the birth anniversary of legendary musician Ayub Bachchu.

All four members of the band had the opportunity to receive Ayub Bachchu’s affection and guidance. SI Tutul was also one of the founding members of LRB, the band formed by Bachchu.

The members of AB King are Nafiz Al Amin on drums and vocals, Iftekhar Ifti on lead guitar and vocals, Akash Ahsan on bass and vocals, and SI Tutul on keyboards and vocals. Ishtiaq A Siddiqui serves as the band’s manager.

Speaking about the new band, SI Tutul told The Daily Star, “We all share a deep emotional connection with Guruji Ayub Bachchu. We want to nurture that emotion. Alongside performing our own songs, we will continue creating new music. We will also perform songs by Ayub Bachchu and other legendary musicians of Bangladesh on stage.

“Our band is essentially a musical platform. It is the first full-fledged Bangladeshi band in America. Alongside Bengali songs, we will also perform songs in English, so that music lovers from other linguistic backgrounds can connect with our music.

“AB King will also work as a broader musical platform. We plan to organise not only concerts but also other events. For this reason, besides the band members, AB King will also have an advisory panel. We will announce the names of the panel members later.”

The band will make its live debut on September 19 at a concert organised by Sonar Bangla Foundation in Houston. The group also said it will perform at shows in several US states, including Virginia and New York, as part of its tour this year.

SI Tutul was initially a member of LRB. He later formed another band called Face to Face, which subsequently became known as Dhrubotara. AB King marks his third band.