Mahan Mirarab feat. Bernhard Schimpelsberger & Shannon Barnett

With Tehrani roots and at home in Vienna – Mahan Mirarab and his guitar have stories to tell. On his instrument, he weaves honest and intimate narratives of migration, memory, and belonging. His music combines the delicate structures of European chamber music with the freedom of jazz, paving new paths into the heart of Iranian traditions.

Mirarab embodies a generation of young migrant artists in Europe who not only conserve their musical roots but see them as living material. Through years of research into Persian tonal systems, he has developed a language in which microtones and complex rhythms naturally correspond with modern jazz. The result is a musical world that is highly complex and yet surprisingly direct – an invitation to listen deeply, to feel openly, and to surrender oneself to the pulse of his global sound.

With six albums already released, Mirarab has established himself as a central figure in the European scene. His reputation is reflected in an impressive list of collaborations: He has done producing for artists such as Alim Qasimov and Basma Jabr, shared the stage with the NDR Bigband, the Tonkünstler-Orchester, and the Vision String Quartet, and worked with icons like Anthony Braxton and Aynur Doğan. His presence on labels including ACT and ECM distinguishes him as an artist of international status.

For the Morgenland Festival Osnabrück, Mirarab is performing with a trio that will expand his musical vision: Austrian percussionist Bernhard Schimpelsberger, long-time partner of Anoushka Shankar combines Indian rhythms with European musical concepts, while trombonist and Deutscher-Jazz-Preis awardee Shannon Barnett completes the trio with her precise and expressive playing. Together, they will unlock a space where tradition and the present blend effortlessly – making music that is intense, surprising, and full of warmth.

Mahan Mirarab – Guitar

Bernhard Schimpelsberger – Percussion

Shannon Barnett – Trombone