Bio
As a guitarist, composer and writer I have performed in the US, Australia and Singapore with various projects. My ensemble Kafka Pony explores improvisation on compositions expanding stylistic boundaries which often feature words/poetry. As a composer my works for solo instruments (bass recorder, classical guitar) or mixed ensembles (jazz and contemporary) utilise traditional and electro-acoustic components.
I work in collaboration in theatre and film projects and have been involved with groups performing Jazz/Indian fusion, Azarbaijani and Armenian repertoire. In 2003 my composition for small big band was a finalist in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Competition. In 2006 I recorded a selection of original compositions for my guitar trio.
In 2020 I was a recipient of a Music Victoria grant to compose "Distance Travelled", a song cycle on the theme of displacement and belonging. A new recording of 5 original songs 'love speak' was recorded and produced in 2020 with Kafka Pony and Robin Waters, featuring Rosy Luby in vocals.
I was part of the Portfolio Project with Zemzemeh duo, performing at the Leaps and Bounds Festival. As a solo guitarist, (Mastaneh guitarsong) I create cross stylistic compositions exploring poetry, voice and looping guitar.
I perform Iranian music on oud and work in collaboration with other improvisors.
In September 2023 I exhibited Journey of Violets; an interactive meditation on a poem by Shafiei Kadkani at Smith and Gertrude Gallery collaborating with artist Pouya Bagheri and movement artist Jonathan Sinatra. This work was supported by a small project grand from Yarra City Arts.
I graduated from Berklee in 1995 and studied composition at Queensland Conservatorium. I have composed music for film, theatre and ensembles from solo bass recorder to large jazz settings. As part of my continuing practice I have delved extensively into embodied movement practices such as Aikido, dance and performance art since 1998. I teach guitar, Alexander Technique.
To learn about how my interests converge to visually capture improvised creativity, visit my photography page.
