Simin Tander

Singing in both English and Pashto/Afghaani, Simin Tander owns one of the most exciting and breathtaking voices on today’s European jazz scene. Her music is characterized by her warm, powerful timbre and poetic lyrics that reflect on her Afghan roots and her experiences as a woman.

Tander has released several critically acclaimed albums that showcase her versatility as an artist. Her debut album, ‘Wagma’, was released in 2011 and featured her original compositions sung in English and in her unique improvised language. ‘Where Water Travels Home’, released in 2014, introduced old Afghan songs and Pashto poetry into Tander’s music and captured the attention of the international press. In 2016 Tander signed with the legendary ECM label and released ‘What Was Said’, a trio album with pianist Tord Gustavsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad, which was awarded the prestigious ‘Annual German Record Critics’ Prize’.

‘Unfading’, her latest work, arrives in 2020. With a renewed quartet, in ‘Unfading’ Tander devises a new type of sound. Swedish bassist and ECM recording artist Björn Meyer introduces rich harmonic landscapes and atmospheric sounds. Swiss drummer and also ECM recording artist Samuel Rohrer brings subtlety and pulsating deep tones to drums. The cherry on top is provided by Indian violinist and viola player Harpreet Bansal, who with raga-tinged tones, paints new colors on Simin Tander’s music. The album has received excellent reviews, being described as an “intriguing and utterly hypnotic” work.

Besides rich songwriting and highly original interpretations, Simin´s unique approach to vocal improvisations remains a trademark of hers, creating her own language, full of life-enhanced freedom.

Simin Tander has performed at some of the world’s leading jazz festivals such as the Madrid Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Fest, San Francisco Jazz Fest, North Sea Jazz Festival, Hong Kong Jazz Festival, among many others. She is now preparing to debut on Portuguese stages.

PRESS QUOTES

“Stunning, intriguing, and utterly hypnotic” CONCERTO (AUT)

“Tander is a miracle of vocal artistry” HET PAROOL (NL)

“Her voice is a thing of beauty” ALL ABOUT JAZZ (USA)