Araz Nayeb Pashayee

Araz Nayeb Pashayee is a percussionist specializing on Tonbak (Persian classical principal drum), Udu (African drum) and Daf (Kurdish frame drum). Since immigrating to Canada in 2001, Araz has collaborated with a variety of internationally renowned artists of various genres across the globe, in Canada, U.S and Europe. His stylistic approach to percussion lies in his ability of adapting rhythmic patterns and compositions of other musical cultures (i.e. South Indian and African) to Tonbak and Daf, while using the Iranian drums’ traditional styles. Araz studied visual arts at Seneca College and is currently pursuing his studies at York University in Music with a major in world percussion. He was a recipient of Chalmers Professional Development grant 2013. He founded Araz School of Percussion in Toronto in 2010.