Biography Simin Tander

With her voice and songs Simin Tander tells stories, even without words, trusting her music to do the speaking - her voice as a universal instrument. Improvisation is important to her. Also impulsiveness and spontaneity. „Music is an almost sacred space in which I can be Me“, she says. Jazz-icon Sheila Jordan is so impressed by Simin´s voice that she has taken her into training. „It was a very special encounter“, says Jordan. „I´m deeply stirred by Simin´s unique talent“. After a scholarship and various workshops in New York, Sheila Jordan remains close to Simin Tander as her mentor.

Through many performances in diverse projects she has made herself a name in the Dutch jazz and independent improvisation scene, also in 2004 with „I Compani“ and their joint record „Fellini“. In the past two years she has performed at many festivals, notably at the „North Sea Jazz Festival“ and the „Women in Jazz Festival Halle“ and has been invited by well-known dutch musicians like Frans Vermeerssen and Harmen Fraanje as special guest. In addition Simin Tander is studying at the ARTEZ conservatoire, at which she completed her jazz-singing Bachelor of Music with distinction.

Her roots are important to her. „I´m half Afghani and the longing for the East is talking inside me more and more. That is why I combine oriental harmony and certain rhythms in my songs.“ Her own compositions, such as „White Hiatus“ and „Becoming“ breathe depth, intensity, improvisation, sophistication and astonish one with their changing moods and language. „Something embracing“, as Simin puts it, is a mark they all bear.

Her name is Persian and is a wonderful promise for her future: shining. At home, during her childhood, there was always music playing, often Al Jarreau. Simin still likes his way of improvising very much. She is devoting the future to her dream of composing pieces, touring with her band, recording CDs, singing at projects. That is, to live her love for music. „We´re in This Love Together“ Al Jarreau sings.

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