WOMAD

Chemirani Zarb Trio

From Iran

Featuring Djamchid Chemirani and his two sons Keyvan and Bijan, the men of Chemirani Zarb Trio are spellbinding masters of the zarb drum. The zarb drum has as many notes as a piano, a melodic range of four octaves, and is the oldest Middle-Eastern percussion instrument. The deft fingers of a virtuoso like Djamchid can coax a multiplicity of notes from the drum and produce blurring flourishes that leave audiences gasping in amazement.2000 BiographyDjamchid Chemirani is a master of Zarb (the Persian classical drum). He moved from Iran and settled in Europe in the early 60’s, and in the early 70’s was the first person to record an entire record of solo percussion, on the French label, Ocora.He is a master of the classical – but is also an innovator – and is widely respected as a traditional musician and a modernist.Djamchid’s instrument is the Zarb – he has his own style and a school. Both his sons, Keyvan and Bijan (aged 20 and 30) have played from birth, and in 1999 he decided that since his sons were so accomplished in their own right, he would dedicate the rest of his time playing with them as a trio – so "the Chemirani Zarb Trio" was born.Instruments: The Zarb is the main instrument and is the oldest middle-eastern percussion. It originated in north Iran, then spread to Turkey, Eastern Bloc Europe, North Africa, and beyond. The main difference between the Zarb and all other percussion instruments around the world (except for tabla) is that the Iranian Zarb is classified as ‘digital’ percussion because it is played with the fingers rather than the palm of the hand, therefore is considered melodic and not percussive. It has as many notes as a piano, and can be played like a piano with 10 fingers, as well as the nails and the rings on the fingers.When their concerts are reviewed, comments are often made such as – "finally, a percussionist who plays the lead role and the melodic parts (instead of just keeping the time)".All three Chemirani play the Zarb but they also play the frame drums, from all around the Middle East. Djamchid plays only zarb, but Keyvan and Bijan also play Daf, Bandir and Udu.