Sound Anthropology and Ala Zarei

Join us for a rich evening of music from around the world, curated by two SOAS music alumni: classical Iranian Setar player Ala Zarei and tabla player Vishnu Vijayan, who will be performing as part of the musical collective Sound Anthropology.

Part 1 - Ala Zarei

The music performed by Ala Zarei is a suite of Classical Iranian music, including improvisatory, free-rhythm music alongside pre-composed rhythmic pieces from the classical Iranian repertoire. Although the improvisatory sections mostly adhere to the logic of the canonical repertoire of Classical Iranian music (radif), they also express personal interpretations of aesthetics from the neighboring traditions. 

The endeavour is to reflect more on the so-called old-style approaches in continuation of what is known as the revivalist movement, which aimed to pursue classical artistry often in response to the influence of Western music.

Part 2 - Sound Anthropology

Sound Anthropology, led by Ayana Homma of Jazzy Sport London, is a dynamic collective that seamlessly merges spiritual jazz with global and electronic influences. The ensemble’s music is a captivating fusion of Rhythm, Raga, Tala, and Maqam, creating an immersive experience that connects deeply with audiences.