Eishan Ensemble + Ali & Greg

From Womad, Auckland Arts Festival, Rome Jazz Festival to Sydney Opera House and Melbourne Recital Hall, Eishan Ensemble has performed at the most well known venues and festivals around the world since it was formed in 2016 in Sydney Australia. Led by acclaimed Persian-Australian tar virtuoso and composer, Hamed Sadeghi, the ARIA nominated Eishan Ensemble draws on contemporary and classical music traditions of both East and West. Eishan’s repertoire consists predominantly of Sadeghi’s original compositions with diverse improvisatory idioms featured powerfully. Variously described as “Persian chamber jazz” and “eastern jazz fusion”, Eishan defies neat labels. Sadeghi’s psychedelic virtuosity is joined by the individual talents of Michael Avgenicos on saxophone, Adem Yilmaz on percussions and Maximillian Alduca on double bass to create the layered and sophisticated soundscapes of Eishan.

Supported by locals Ali & Greg. Ali Shakaki is a world class Kurdish singer and Tanbur player from the city of Afrin, Syria. Ali’s voice leaves audiences spellbound, and his expertise on the tanbur is unparalleled in Australia. Ali describes the instrument as being “half of his body”. He is celebrated for his playing of traditional Kurdish music as well as his own compositions. Ali writes music for poetry about love, landscape and respect for his homeland. Ali is playing with Greg Sheehan on percussion, one of Australia’s premier and most innovative percussionists, widely regarded internationally as an expert in his field. As a performer, he is significantly represented in the last five decades of Australian contemporary music as a solo artist, a live band member, and a studio musician. He is also the author of the ground breaking book The Rhythm Diaries.

Eishan Ensemble reviews

“... a flawless combination, as evidenced by the fine compositions ….” Songlines  UK ★★★★

“casts a spell all its own… astonishing power and convulsive impact…” recording.” Sydney Morning Herald ★★★★½

A music video by Eishan Ensemble - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vqnk_5Ri_k
Short documentary about Hamed Sadeghi - premiered by NOWNESS - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao7I_B92aIA&t=6s
More videos - https://www.hamedsadeghi.com/videos
Albums - https://www.eishanensemble.com/albums