Eishan Ensemble, led by renowned Persian-Australian tar virtuoso and composer Hamed Sadeghi, is an ARIA-nominated group that fuses the contemporary and classical music traditions of both East and West. Blurring the lines between Persian chamber jazz and Middle Eastern jazz fusion, Eishan Ensemble’s sound defies easy categorisation.

The ensemble's core lineup features world-class musicians, including Michael Avgenicos on saxophone, Adem Yilmaz on percussion, and Maximillian Alduca on double bass, with Sadeghi providing the group’s distinct Persian spirit on the tar.

Praised by the Sydney Morning Herald for their “astonishing power and convulsive impact,” Eishan Ensemble has earned critical acclaim for their compelling performances and innovative recordings. Since their formation in 2016, the Sydney-based ensemble has toured extensively across Australia and internationally, gracing prestigious stages such as the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Hall, Brisbane Festival, and global festivals like Festibalmes (Spain), London Jazz Festival, WOMAD, Yilan Arts Festival (Taiwan), Plucked Music Festival (Philippines), Auckland Arts Festival, and Rome Jazz Festival.

Eishan Ensemble has released four celebrated albums to date. Their debut album, Nim Dong (released on Art As Catharsis), serves as a musical canvas for Sadeghi’s childhood memories and stories. The follow-up, Afternoon Tea at Six (2020) was inspired by the likes of Rabih Abou-Khalil, Anouar Brahem, Kayhan Kalhor, and Ravi Shankar. Sadeghi expanded the ensembles sonic palette with daring compositions and lively instrumental interplay. Their third album, Project Masnavi (2021), is inspired by the mystical poetry of Rumi’s Masnavi, a cornerstone of Persian literature. Sadeghi reflects, “Rumi’s quote, ‘the garden of the world has no limits, except in your mind,’ deeply resonated with me.” This project introduced new textures, with the accordion, in particular, leaving a profound impression on him: “The compression and expansion of the bellows reminded me of a heartbeat... a musical embodiment of love, as Rumi described it.” Eishan Ensemble released their much anticipated fourth album, Northern Rhapsody on ACEL Production France in 2025. This album explores the depth and beauty of the Australian landscape, as Sadeghi notes, “Through the universal language of music, I aim to highlight the human experience of navigating new landscapes, identities, and connections.”

Awards and Nominations

  • Nominated, ARIA Award — Best Jazz Album, 2021 (Vazesh)

  • Finalist, Art Music Award for Improvised/Jazz Performance of the Year, 2021

  • Finalist, Art Music Award for Improvised/Jazz Performance of the Year, 2025

  • Finalist, Art Music Award for Work of the Year: Jazz & Improvised Music, 2026 (Northern Rhapsody, Eishan Ensemble)