Ehsan Matoori (Santoor Player, Composer, Educator)
An Iranian Santoor player and composer is known for his remarkable musical contributions and collaborations, Ehsan Matoori is one of the leading Santoor virtuosos in the world today. He began learning the Santoor at the age of 9, studying under the guidance of Maestro Faramarz Payvar’s method. Ehsan further expanded his musical knowledge by studying instrumental and vocal Radif with Parviz Meshkatian and Pashang Kamkar. Alongside playing the Santoor, Ehsan also received training from Ardavan Kamkar, a renowned contemporary Santoor player known for his unique style and tuning techniques.
In 2013, Ehsan relocated to the United States, where he started collaborating with renowned world music masters and ensembles, including Sandeep Das (Tabla), Mike Block (Cello), Edward Perez ( Bass), Jamal Mohamed (percussionist), Rajib Karamkar (Sitar), Bombay Jayashri (Voice), Alireza Ghorbani (Voices), Matthew Coley (Marimba), Bassam Saba (Oud), Raman Kalyan ( Bansuri) and Greg Ellis (Percussionist), Orchestras and ensembles such as Irving Symphony Orchestra, Sybarite5, and others.
Ehsan’s diverse collaborations have enriched his musical repertoire and created unique fusions of different musical traditions. His original compositions have been performed in over 20 countries, including events at the Fenghua Grand Theatre (China), the National Gallery of Art( Washington, D.C), Symphony Space (New York), the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Frieght and Salvage in San Fransisco.
Ehsan’s debut album, “Phantasm,” a collaboration with Mohsen Namjoo, was released in 2019. The album garnered immense success, amassing over 5,000,000 streams and downloads across various digital platforms, including over 20 concerts in 2019.
Following the success of his debut album “Phantasm,” Ehsan embarked on another groundbreaking project as a composer and producer. He joined forces with acclaimed musicians, including Alireza Ghorbani and Bombay Jayashri, Celia Woodsmith, and more than 100 great musicians around the world, to create the captivating multi-cultural and multi-lingual album “Voices and Bridges” in 2021. His album “ The Voices and Bridges” were charting among 15 best of Billboard Classical Crossover.
“Voices and Bridges” will be on the stage at De Singel International Arts Center in Belgium in May 2024 and embark on a thrilling European tour thereafter.
Currently, Ehsan is working on several exciting projects. One is “Voices Unveiled,” supported by NEW Music USA, a musical performance project featuring two female vocalists from Iran, which aims to showcase the beauty and power of Iranian vocal traditions. Additionally, Ehsan collaborates with Rajib Karamkar on the “Chahar Bagh” project, where they celebrate the shared musical heritage of Iran and India, drawing inspiration from the symbolic Chahar Bagh concept.
Since 2019, Ehsan has joined forces with renowned tabla player Sandeep Das and his Hum ensemble in the project “Delhi to Shiraz,” creating a harmonious fusion of Indian and Persian musical traditions.
With a commitment to artistic exploration and cultural exchange, Ehsan Matoori continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his soulful Santoor performances and creative musical expressions. His ongoing Projects showcase his dedication to pushing boundaries and creating captivating musical experiences. Ehsan believes that his music “should bring happiness to people and bring people together.”