Shahriyar Jamshidi: Transcript

Full transcript of wide-ranging interview with Kurdish-Canadian Kamanche player, composer and improvisor Shahriyar Jamshidi, who grew up in Iran, and lived through some very difficult times. He has collaborated with many musicians including heavy-metal cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne in their duo Kamancello, and has released numerous albums which feature his unique improvisational style. I find his playing to be extremely expressive and his personal story compelling. In this conversation he introduces us to this spiked-fiddle, which is the ancestor of the violin, and is used across many cultures, and also speaks about the need for humanity to stay in touch with our traditional music.

When I asked Shahriyar about his process of improvisation, he had this to say:

“Actually, it's hard to say that, but for myself you need, you need travel to where you love, like where you love. And for me, just, I am closing my eyes going to the, to my place, you know, you know, childhood time, the mountain, the place, I love it. And at this moment you try to just play music inside yourself”