Francesco Turrisi presents this latest evolution of his Tarab ensemble, which has become eloquent in its linking of modal jazz to traditional music from across Europe. Over the course of 2010, the group takes on a major project and will devise new music over four cycles, each with a very special guest artist, starting in Cork with Iranian tombak master Pedram Khavar- Zamini.

For his part Turrisi, a Milan native, has made a real impression since moving to Ireland, bringing a fresh perspective informed by his background in Italian baroque music and jazz piano.

In Tarab he performs on accordion and frame drums, and convincingly bridges traditional music from around the Mediterranean in a band that also includes saxophonist Nick Roth and cellist Kate Ellis.

Their jazz and classical backgrounds are finely countered by traditional flautist Emer Mayock who, along with percussionist Robbie Harris, brings an innate understanding of melody and form in Irish music. Turrisi directs proceedings with taste and subtlety throughout, deftly balancing these powerful elements to harmonious effect.

The Arabic word 'Tarab' describes a state of ecstasy and surrender one enters while listening to music with body and soul. When Turrisi created the ensemble Tarab in 2007 he imagined a connection between his southern Italian and Mediterranean origins and his musical journey and experience as a jazz musician. Following a successful Deis funded project in 2008 called Diwan Eireann; Tarab has evolved into a project that aims to create an imaginary link between aesthetic elements of Mediterranean music and the Irish instrumental and vocal tradition. Starting from common elements such as similar instrumentation, ornamentation and performance, Tarab develops new musical language based on improvisation, instrumental virtuosity and exciting rhythms.

Special guest Pedram Khavar-Zamini was born in 1975, in Tehran, Iran. He learned to play the tombak, the distinctive Iranian goblet drum, from Kamyar Mohabbat and Bahman Rajabi.

Among the most dynamic of the new generation of Iranian musicians, Pedram has written extensively on Persian percussion and is a founder of the percussion group Varashan. Since 2002, he has performed regularly with ECM artist and fellow Iranian Kayhan Kalhor, and is also a frequent collaborator with Ross Daly, most memorably in the Irish born, Crete based lyra player's Iris ensemble. Pedram currently lives in Amsterdam.

Francesco Turrisi's Tarab Ensemble play Jurys Western Road on Sunday 7 February at 8pm. Tickets: are €15/12 
and available at the Triskel Box Office on 021-4272022.

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