One of the most renowned names in Persian classical music is Kayhan Kalhor. A five-time Grammy nominee, he is not only a virtuoso on the kemenche, but also a master improviser and composer, widely recognized for his inspiring collaborations.

Kalhor has worked with musicians from around the world, such as Indian sitar star Shujaat Khan, Turkish saz grandmaster Erdal Erzincan, Malian kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté, Chinese-American top cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and the New York Philharmonic. Since 2013, the Iranian maestro has regularly performed with the Rembrandt Frerichs Trio.

This has led to powerful performances at festivals like North Sea Jazz and Crossing Border. In 2019, their internationally acclaimed debut album It’s Still Autumn was released. With his Kayhan Kalhor Ensemble, he continues to build on hundreds of years of Persian musical tradition, showcasing these rich influences through the performances of virtuoso artists. Kalhor is joined by setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian, tonbak virtuoso Hamin Honari, and Hadi Hosseini, a rising star among the new generation of Iranian vocalists.