Musicians are becoming increasingly mobile. More and more, they are no longer based where they were born but move for long periods to other cities and cultures, perhaps reflecting their curiosity to sample new influences and then, like smart chefs, create the musical equivalent of fusion cuisine.
Mahan Mirarab, originally from Tehran but now resident in Vienna, is no exception. He humbly settles on stage in the middle of his sextet to play a lengthy solo introduction with his double-neck guitar. Quite a sight, but, as the gig evolves in its balance of Eastern and Western influences, the rationale for his choice of instrument soon becomes clear. One neck is fretless, allowing him to bend notes and use the microtonal elements and maqams of the music of his homeland. While the other, with frets like a traditional guitar, allows him to rock out in a manner reminiscent of American and European stylists,
This strong fusing of musical heritages is reminiscent of other guitarists who have taken their own tradition and been able to straddle Eastern and Western. Such as Nguyen Le working with the music of his own Vietnamese heritage.
Two other musicians of the band (list below), like Mirarab, are originally from Iran but now in Vienna, with three others, on piano, bass and drums from his new home. And the awareness of each other’s heritages led to a very special night.
The concert is based upon a project and album dating back to 2021, but had been unable to tour properly till now. The poems on which much of the music is based confront the need to express oneself and not be excessively constrained by tradition. And his band is more than capable of achieving his objectives musically.
At different points of the night, we were able to fully appreciate these musicians. Pianist David Six, immensely thoughtful and sensitive throughout, had an extended solo ahead of the tune Taboo, which seemed to be perhaps the high point of the night, since this was followed by some brilliant playing not just from Mirarab, but also his singer Golnar Shahyar and clarinetist Mona Matbou Riahi, who first came to the attention of this website during the Suedtirol Jazz Festival last year. Their exuberance was a joy to behold.
Certainly by the end of the night, Mirarab and his band have successfully won the argument about how to express oneself without jazz or cultural ‘purity’, just through memorable music.
Mirarab clearly is a musician of the greatest flexibility, with the ability to adapt to his musical environment but without losing his own individuality. We are hoping that he will be at the Vortex in June and playing at the BBC Proms in August. So more chances for audiences over here will be able to judge for themselves.
Lineup:
Mahan Mirarab (guitar and fretless guitar)
Golnar Shahyar (voice)
Mona Matbou Riaha (clarinet)
David Six (piano)
Martin Bernauer (bass)
Amir Wahba (drums, percussion)
Set list:
Beginning
Convalescence
Chant
Invisible
Taboo
Not in my world
