Founded in 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand, Simurgh Music is a vibrant community of musicians dedicated to inspiring a love for traditional musical instruments across all ages and backgrounds. The group focuses primarily on instruments from Persia, as well as neighboring regions including the Middle East, Central Asia, and North India.
Simurgh was established by Iranian multi-instrumentalist Esmail Fathi—who teaches Daf and Tonbak and leads the Persian traditional music ensemble—alongside fellow multi-instrumentalist Liam Oliver, who teaches and performs on a variety of string instruments from the Middle East and Central Asia.
The collective is proud to include a diverse group of musicians from Iranian, Arabic, Turkish, Afghan, Indian, and other cultural backgrounds. This rich diversity enables Simurgh to host high-quality performances and events, cultivating an inclusive space where people from all walks of life can connect through their shared passion for music.
Simurgh Music is committed to sharing the joy of music, whether it's through learning, performing, or simply appreciating the rich cultural sounds they bring to Christchurch and beyond. We welcome any talented musicians to reach out to us and help enrich our musical community.
On March 15, 2024, New Zealand reflects on the fifth anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque attacks, prompting a global display of love and solidarity for its Muslim communities. NZSO reached out to Simurgh Music to collaborate on a piece to be performed in their concerts in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland. Abdelilah Rharrabti, Esmail Fathi and Liam Oliver joined NZSO, playing an orchestral rendition of an Islamic nasheed, arranged by Hamish Oliver.
Click to watch a highlight reel from our Middle Eastern Dance Night—an evening filled with music and dance from across the region. Our talented musicians performed a vibrant mix of Persian, Turkish, and Arabic tunes, accompanied by mesmerising whirling dervish (Samaa) and lively belly dancing.
