ComboNations is a group initiated and led by multi-instrumentalist Javid Afsari Rad, who also contributes as composer and songwriter and this ensemble. The idea behind the project was to gather the best international musicians based in Oslo. Javid is originally from Iran, while the other musicians have roots in India, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Morocco. This band is a manifestation of the rich and multicultural music scene in Oslo. The musicians are virtuosos on their respective instruments – not only by Norwegian standards – but internationally as well. Their differing cultural and musical backgrounds melt together and create a new musical expression. Playfulness and a wish to break boundaries and cross borders, has been the driving force behind the ensemble.

ComboNations consists of:
Javid Afsari Rad: Santur, artistic director
Solo Cissokho: Kora
Harpreet Bansal: Violin
Aissa Tobi: Sintir, rabab
Diom de Kossa: Percussion
Jai Shankar: Tablas

About Javid Afsari Rad

Javid Afsari Rad (b. 1965), plays a number of instruments, the Persian santur being his main instrument. He has lived in Norway since 1986 and comes originally from Iran, where he studied classical Persian music. Javid is also a composer and is artistic director of the ensembles ComboNations, Rumi Ensemble and Norwegian World Orchestra. The music he composes is strongly inspired by the Persian tradition he studied in Iran, but also by his study of Western classical music in Norway. He has toured throughout much of the world and has composed a number of commissioned works, including one for the Norwegian Radio Orchestra in 2006. In 2008 Javid was named the Municipality of Oslo “Artist of the Year”. One of his main projects is to create new and exciting musical expression through the fusion of diverse musical traditions. His groups feature musicians from, among other countries, Iran, India, Morocco, Ivory Coast and Senegal.