Kayhan Kalhor (IR)

About

Also known as: Keyhan Kelhur, کیهان کلهر, کەیھان کەڵھوڕ

Kayhan Kalhor is one of the most prominent figures in Persian classical music, a virtuoso on the kamancheh, the bowed string instrument central to Middle Eastern musical traditions. Five Grammy nominations speak to the breadth of his reach, but what really defines him is his restless creative curiosity. He has written compositions for celebrated Iranian singers Mohammad Reza Shajarian and Shahram Nazeri, co founded both the Dastan Ensemble and Masters of Persian Music, and recorded alongside fellow Iranian masters Hossein Alizadeh and Ali Akbar Moradi. Kalhor's collaborations stretch well beyond Persian music. He has worked with Malian kora player Toumani Diabate, the Kronos Quartet, the Dutch jazz group Rembrandt Trio, and Turkish saz player Erdal Erzincan. His ensemble carries centuries of Persian musical tradition forward through a group of skilled instrumentalists, including singer Hadi Hosseini and tombak percussionist Niloufar Mohseni.