Simin Tander

New Quartet

The German-Afghan, internationally acclaimed singer and composer enchants with an “unmistakable sound” (DIE ZEIT). When Simin Tander starts to sing, she does much more than just make her vocal chords vibrate – her singing is pleaded, shaped, whispered. She listens deeply into herself, as if she is questioning her soul – raw, powerful and at the same time tender and permeable.Sung in English and Pashto/Afghaani, her warm timbre develops an intensity that is deeply moving. With her unique way of improvising, far removed from traditional scat singing, Simin creates a sound world full of mysticism and passionate freedom.

After two highly acclaimed solo albums, she received the “Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik” for her ECM album with pianist Tord Gustavsen. Over the past 15 years, Simin has performed at numerous renowned festivals around the world and has sung for UNESCO and UN Women.She appears in international projects with Jan Bang, Michel Godard, the WDR Radio Choir, Nils Petter Molvær, Eric Vloeimans and many more.On her latest work Unfading, in addition to her own texts, she sets poems to music “by inspiring women who were or are very unconventional and strong personalities in their culture and era”, explains Tander. Through unconventional instrumentation and subtle playing, Simin Tander’s “New Quartet” creates a transparent and profound sound that has never been heard before. Tander and her chosen accompanists inspire each other and together they create a touching intimacy.

Simin has also been a lecturer in jazz singing at the Cologne University of Music and Dance for many years and gives workshops internationally.