Trio Andalibi, Shaho Andalibi, Scott Peterson, Chris Pruden - Improvisations from the Doyen of Kurdish Nay (2025)

Respected as a sideman of numerous Persian artists, Kurdish ney or nay (reed flute) virtuoso Shaho Andalibi presents his first recording as a bandleader. Recorded in concert in Toronto, Andalibi is joined for this performance by jazz improvisers Chris Pruden (piano) and Scott Peterson (double bass), who interpret the Kurdish and Iranian motifs in a way that’s fresh and unfamiliar. Following a beautifully subdued piano ‘Prelude’, the opening trio piece ‘Dawn’ starts tentatively and gradually builds around Andalibi’s ney, as if the accompanying musicians are gaining familiarity with the music in real-time. While the album is split into distinct pieces, they ebb and flow seamlessly, as if forming a collective dream. The harmonic choices are unobtrusive, with Peterson being content to hold down bowed drones and steady grooves, as well as providing a plaintive solo on the penultimate improvisation, ‘Dusk’. Andalibi’s ney performance is stunning throughout, and with occasional piano interjections by Pruden, gracefully fronts a set that is both deeply introspective and warmly inviting.

Tracklist:
1-1 Trio Andalibi - Prelude [2:54]
1-2 Trio Andalibi - Dawn [4:58]
1-3 Trio Andalibi - Taranom [8:05]
1-4 Trio Andalibi - Sufi [3:06]
1-5 Trio Andalibi - Mahtab [6:29]
1-6 Trio Andalibi - Dayeh [3:52]
1-7 Trio Andalibi - Dusk [4:16]
1-8 Trio Andalibi - Romance [4:28]