Akhavass Productions

About

Pezhham Akhavass, is a renowned percussionist and modern day virtuoso of Persian percussive instruments Tombak and Daf. He is well known for his unique technique and approach to rhythm and has been termed one of the most capable artists of his generation. Born in 1980 in Iran, Pezhham began learning music theory at the age of 5. With the support of his father, Pezhham studied many different instruments with the great masters of traditional Persian music. Pezhham graduated with a degree in music from the Sureh University in Tehran. He began working professionally with the renowned vocalist Shahram Nazeri from 2000-2007 where he traveled the world extensively performing in notable festivals such as Theatre de la Ville and Due Soley in Paris France, FEZ Festival in Morocco, Sodran Theatre in Sweden to name a few, and has had the honor to perform in some of the most prestigious venues. Pezhham has recorded and performed with many master musicians including Hossein Alizadeh, Kayhan Kalhour, Aliakbar Moradi, Saeid Farajpouri, Majid Derakhshani, Hosein Yousefzamani, Masoud Shoari, and has also performed with YoYo Ma. Pezhham was also the featured percussionist on the 2010 Masters of Persian Music tour of the United States and Canada. In addition to Tombak and Daf, Pezhham also plays Setar, Oud, Tanbour, Indian Tabla and Gatam. 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 is an acclaimed vocalist and Kamanche player who has recorded and performed with Hossein Alizadeh as part of the Hamavayan Ensemble. Pezhham now lives in the San Francisco, where he teaches, performs and produces concerts.  www.akhavass.com