“Their work often begins with a free, non-rhythmic exchange, which progresses into a rhythmic pulse.
Depending on the mood of the improvisation, this could be a rapid dance in 7/8 time or a slow, brooding rhythm in 3. A piece might end in an explosive finish after a long buildup, or gradually fade away into nothing.
Shahriyar Jamshidi and Raphael Weinroth-Browne, the two talented musicians that make up the duo Kamancello, met in Toronto in the summer of 2014. Raphael discovered through a friend that Shahriyar had recently played the kamanche in a fully improvised concert. Having listened to Persian music since he was quite young, Raphael loved the kamanche and, excited about the possibility of collaborating with someone who played the instrument, reached out to Shahriyar online and they met up for an improvised jam. The jam was a success and they decided to perform together in front of an audience a few weeks later. At this point, the chemistry was undeniable and they felt inspired to continue playing together…
By Amanda Armstrong on October 11, 2017