Iranian musicians based in Vienna, Golnar & Mahan, in a trio with percussionist Amir Wahba, will perform on April 22nd at the Budo Tomović Cultural Center Concert Hall at 8 p.m.
A day later, on April 23, Golnar and Mahan will give a duo concert in Cetinje, at the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro at 8 p.m.
Offering a masterful and fresh approach to the art of musical storytelling, Golnar & Mahan Trio draw together elements of contemporary jazz, Southwest Asian micro-tonal modes, poly-rhythmic grooves, European chamber music and experimental music to create an original sound, that elegantly claims attention to a new generation of creatives in European diaspora.
The trio improvises its way through structured compositions, powerful grooves and most delicate sounds in such masterful way that one can hardly notice the complexity of their music. A profound sound that consciously escapes cliches and boxes to merge into a genre-less space where the power of musical storytelling is celebrated in an utterly authentic way.
Iranian-Canadian vocalist, composer, lyricist and multi-instrumentalist, Golnar Shahyar moved to Vienna in 2008 to pursue a musical career that has seen her collaborate with artists such as Erkan Ogur, Alain Perez, and the ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra, among others. In 2011 she met Iranian-Austrian fretless guitarist and composer Mahan Mirarab, an internationally active interpreter of Persian music through the medium of jazz. Inseparable musical partners ever since, they have pursued their collective vision in their various bands and projects for almost a decade. In their stunningly broad sounding canvas of the Golnar & Mahan Trio, expertly and inventively complemented by master Austrian percussionist Amir Wahba, one can trace their musical evolution throughout the years. A maturity that stays true to ever changing character of human expression through music.
From the Press:
“A Music that transcends geographical and language barrier.” – All About Jazz
“A musical experience that takes you, most beautifully and gently, to another distant dimension.” – Mica Austria
“When Golnar Shahyar sings, you can easily forget everything else around. The trio is an enrichment to the Austrian music scene.” – Helmut Jasper (O1)
“For the exceptional singer Golnar Shahyar, it seemed that her performance knows no vocal limitations. Along with traditional melodies of the middle eastern region, her vocal repeatedly acted through improvised lines as an additional instrument, adding to Wahba and Mirarab’s terminology, a picturesque spectrum of emotions with perfect measure of contemplative harmonies. It is amazing how flexible this singer develops on stage and how ubiquitous she is with her expressive violence, as well as her incredible grace and longing. Hoer vocal performance took over the focus of the concert and the audience was stunned by her picturesque vocal brilliance.” – rockline.si