Artist Detail

Shirzad Sharif

Biography:

The Tonbak is a chalice-shaped drum carved from solid mulberry wood. It is covered at the wide end by a membrane of lamb or goat skin. The technique of this instrument uses both hands and the finger technique is extremely elaborate and consists of rolling and snapping the fingers in various ways. The rich variety of tones and textures on this instrument allows the player to punctuate and ornament the melodic phrases as well as create rhythmical patterns. `Tom' and `Bak' are onomatopoeias for two basic strokes, one low (tom) in the center, and one high (bak) on the side of the membrane. The Tonbak is often also referred to as an "Earth Drum" and is also known as Tombak, Dombak, Donbak & Zarb throughout the Middle East.

Being born and raised in a highly acclaimed musical family in Iran which has nurtured the likes of the Tar ("Persian Lute") Grand Master Ostad Farhang Sharif, Shirzad was exposed to the intricacies of Persian classical music since early childhood and studied the Tonbak drum under the supervision of Tonbak Grand Master Ostad Bahman Rajabi in Iran. Since then he has adapted his own unique style of playing enabling him to play more melodic sounding rhythms on the Tonbak while using both traditional and non-traditional techniques. (Melody-Navazy)

Shirzad is also the first Tonbak player to have researched & performed other Middle Eastern, Arabic, Indian, American Jazz & non-Persian rhythms, forms, techniques & music compositions on the Tonbak. While preserving the unique sound distinctive to the Persian Tonbak, Shirzad has composed and performed with a wide spectrum of instruments & music genres collaborating with both Persian classical and contemporary virtuoso musicians, Jazz fusion pioneers, Electronica composers as well a number of world music musicians & visionaries.

He is also the first to have composed a many number of percussive compositions using the three Arabic, Persian and Indian drums & rhythms. Thus connecting and creating a rhythmic triangle within the three ancient "silk road" regions of Persia, India & the Middle East.

Shirzad also performs the Daf (Kurdish Frame Drum) which is a large frame drum covered with goat-skin which has one or more rows of metal rings on the inside adding a jingling effect. This instrument is one of the most ancient frame drums in the world. In Iran, Sufis use Daf during their Zikr (spiritual chanting) ritual; in recent years Iranian musicians have successfully integrated it into Persian classical music. The Daf is also known as the "Sky Drum" due to its spiritual nature and uplifting sound. While in Iran Shirzad studied the Daf as well as the Kurdish sacred Tanbur (lute) under the supervision of Grand Master Ostad Moradi which further helped him integrate the tribal and ethnic folkloric music & rhythms of the Persian tribes to his Percussive knowledge.

Being one of the original founders of Som'ma and a pioneer of a new sound he refers to as Avant-Garde Persian music, Shirzad has since worked with a number of a widely recognized international musicians bringing new and exciting sound & forms to music that has its roots in Persian classical music and abstract Avant-Garde ideas, his skillful presentation and comprehensive teaching technique has lead to him performing and conducting seminars at many prestigious academic institutions such as the University of Maryland, University of Utah, UCSF, San Francisco State University, UC Berkeley & UCLA, etc.

For more information on Shirzad's and his work please visit the Som'ma website

Email: sharif@sommamusic.com