ComboNations
ComboNations, established in 2000, is a group founded and led by Javid Afsari Rad. He composes and arranges the music and plays the Persian santur. The idea behind the project is to bring together and showcase the crème de la crème of World Music based in Norway. Javid resides in Oslo, but comes originally from Iran. The other musicians in the group have roots from India, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Morocco. The band attests to the rich and multicultural musical milieu of Norway. The musicians are virtuosos on their chosen instruments, not only by Norwegian standards, but in an international context as well, and with backgrounds embracing different cultures and music traditions, they create together musical expression that is entirely new. An air of playfulness and the wish to overcome barriers and limits have been the driving force behind this ensemble.
ComboNations consists of:
Javid Afsari Rad santur, artistic director
Solo Cissokho kora
Harpreet Bansal violin
Aissa Tobi sintir, rabab
Diom de Kossa percussion
Jai Shankar tablas