Fareed Haque is a flexible guitarist whose own records show off his roots in classical music along with his interest in several styles of jazz. Raised in Chicago, Haque traveled extensively as a youth with his parents, who were from Pakistan and Chile; the influence of different countries' folk music can be heard in his playing. He studied jazz at North Texas State University and classical music at Northwestern University in Chicago. Haque made two records with Paquito D'Rivera, and played with Tito Puente, Toots Thielemans, and Von Freeman, among others. He made his debut as a leader for Sting's short-lived Pangaea label (1988), and went on to record several sets for Blue Note; toured with Joe Zawinul; and performed with Straight Ahead, Joey Calderazzo, Renee Rosnes, and Dianne Reeves, among others. ~ Scott Yanow