Pezhham Akhavass

Pezhham Akhavass is a renowned musician/percussionist and modern day virtuoso of Tombak and Daf Persian musical instruments, respected for his unique technique and approach to rhythm. Born in 1980, he graduated with bachelor's degree in music from Sureh University of Tehran.
Pezhham began learning music theory under the instruction of Naser Nazar at the age of 5. With the support of his father, Mostafa Akhavass, a renowned classical Persian painter/artist, Pezhham began studying the Tombak, with the guidance of Naser Farhanghfar. He continued learning the Tombak with Saeid Roudbary from 1989 to 1991. Also while in college, Pezhham studied the Setar with master musicians. Pezhham also studied the Oud and plays the tanbur.
From 2001-2007 Pezhham began working professionally with the renowned vocalist, Shahram Nazeri where he toured and performed in concerts extensively through Iran and Europe in many notable music festivals including: Festival del Popolo in Italy, Théâtre de la Ville and Théâtre du Soleil in Paris France, Fes Festival in Morocco, Sodran Theatre in Sweden, and also performed in Austria, Australia, and Finland. In 2009, Pezhham performed in Konya Turkey as part of the Mystic Music Festival. In 2010, Pezhham was the featured percussionist of the Masters of Persian Music Tour where he performed all throughout the United States including; Disney Hall in Los Angeles, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine, Skirball Center for Performing Arts Center in New York City, Sanders Theatre in Boston, Hanna Theatre in Cleveland; Symphony Center in Chicago, Ferst Center for the Arts in Atlanta,and Kennedy Center in Washington, DC . Pezhham has also performed with Yo-Yo Ma as part of his Festival of the Silk Road at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles California. Pezhham performed in Konya Turkey as part of the Mystic Music Festival.
Pezhham Akhavass has performed and recorded extensively with the masters of Persian music throughout the Iran, Europe and the United States. These masters include Hossein Alizadeh, Ali Akbar Moradi, Saeed Farajpouri, Majid Derakhshani, Hosein Yousefzamani, Masoud Shoari, Hosein Omomi, Shahram Nazeri and Kayhan Kalhor.
In addition to the Tombak, Pezhham has plays other percussion instruments including the Daf, Indian Tabla, Kanjira and Ghatam.
Pezhham now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area where he teaches, produces, lectures and performs. Pezhham is part of the extremely artistic Akhavass family; his father Mostafa is an award winning classical Persian artist granted a doctoral degree by Iran and his brother Pouria Akhavass is an acclaimed vocalist and Kamanche player who has recorded and performed with Hossein Alizadeh as part of the Hamavayan Ensemble. His sister Paria plays the Tar.
Discography
* Nasim va Ghandomzar (Breeze and Wheat field)- On Avaye Khorshid Label, 2005 with Ali Akbar Moradi on Tanbur
* Raha (Liberated) on Mahur label, 2005 with Payam Jahanmani on Tar
* Kamancheh Navazi (Kurdish Melodies on Kamanche), on Mahur label, 2005, with Saeed Farajpouri on Kamancheh
* Raze sahel (Mystery of the Shore) on Avaye Sepehr label, 2006 with Majid Nazempour on Oud
* Dar Sayeye Baad (In the Shade of the Wind), on Avaye Barbad label, 2006 with Masoud Shoaari on Setar
* Jostojoo, 2008 with Mamak Khadem, vocals
* Passion of Rumi (on Kereshme label), 2008 with Shahram Nazeri, vocals
* Tombak (solo), 2008 in USA
* Persian Percussion (solo), 2008 in USA
* Song of Sparrows (Avaz-e-Gonjeshkha), 2008 with Hossein Alizadeh

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