Vas was a duo from Los Angeles consisting of singer Azam Ali and percussionist Greg Ellis, a duo that debuted on Sunyata (Narada, 1997), the first album of new-age music in which vocals were only accompanied by percussion.

Sunyata is music for percussion and vocals, ranging from meditations inspired by Native-American and Indian music (Ningal), catchy refrains halfway between lullaby and prayer (Saphyrro, Arc of Ascent), from renaissance grace (Refuge) to ceremonian joy (At Siva's Feat). The highlights are the lengthy medieval saltarello Sunyata and the lengthy lament Imam.

Offerings (Narada, 1998), which features an expanded instrumentation, is permeated by Tibetan spirituality and sounds, despite the fact that the female vocals sound very un-Tibetan. The graceful lament of Svarga is drowned in sitar drones and violin phrases. The Promise approaches the majestic composure of renaissance madrigals. A Garland of Breath is a simple chant on an organ drone, with no percussion, later joined by more voices and instruments. The sprightly dances of Varuna, Leyli and the instrumental Wajad pick up speed, but never steer too far from the mystic center of the album. The vocals blend western operatic and Indian ceremonial styles in the lengthy Ellora, another piece with propulsive percussion. Violin, flute and other non-percussion instruments add flavors to the concept of Vas. But the real protagonist is now the human voice.

Azam Ali has also released the solo album Portals of Grace (Narada, 2002), which drops modern arrangements onto medieval chants.