SIMIN TANDER
CD PRESENTATION: WHERE WATER TRAVELS HOME
Simin Tander stem/composities, Jeroen van Vliet piano/elektronica, Cord Heineking bas, Etienne Nillesen drums
German-Afghan singer Simin Tander mixes jazz with European and Eastern influences. ‘Tander is a miraculous singer’ (Het Parool).
German-Afghan singer Simin Tander is a unique presence in the European jazz landscape. She stands out for her tremendous variety of timbres and expressions, and for her free approach to language. On her new CD Where Water Travels Home she sings in English, in her own fantasy language and for the first time in Pashto, the Afghan language. Also, she sings one song by Jacques Brel in French.
Simin Tander followed lessons with Sheila Jordan and she has performed with Eric Vloeimans. Her songs move fluently between jazz, chansons, ballads and improvisations. She mainly sings her own compositions, several of which have lyrics co-written by her sister Mina Tander, a well-known actress in Germany.
Particularly striking are the songs in Pashto, her father’s language. Simin was inspired by the rich sounds of this Afghan language and its mysterious, poetic character. We can hear it in the plaintive ‘De Kor Arman’, an exotic song about the longing for a sense homecoming. ‘I wrote this music thinking about the poems of my father, without having ever heard or read them’, says Simin. ‘After a long search a friend found a poetry volume in Canada, which contains one of his poems. It’s a beautiful surprise to hear that the music fits the lyrics.’
Simin’s international band members effortlessly integrate Eastern modes and rhythms in their Western musical vocabulary. By occasionally approaching their instruments in unorthodox ways they create unique effects.
‘Simin Tander is a miraculous singer’ (Het Parool).
‘Simin Tander’s second CD is like a shining diamond… on Where the Water Travels home she bares her soul completely, with an intensity that gives you goose bumps… her range is masterly, her repertory is impressive and her presentation is passionate’ (Jazzenzo).
The Bimhuis restaurant is open prior to the concert from 6.30 til 8.30PM (reservations via 020-7882158). After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).