Pezhham Akhavass

About the Artist

Pezhham Akhavass is a musician, percussionist/multi-instrumentalist/music director, and instructor, master of tombak (a type of goblet drum from Persia) and daf (the frame drum), and Setar (Long Neck Lute which presents Iranian Radif, which is a collection of the melodies in modal system from different generations that have been orally passing through generation for many centuries.

He was born in 1980 in Iran. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Music from Su‌reh University of Tehran in 2005, a second bachelor’s degree in World Music from San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2016, and a Master’s degree at SFSU in Music History in2019.
With the support of his renowned artist father Mostafa, Pezhham began studying the tombak at the age of five with the guidance of Ostad Naser Farhanghfar. From 1989-1991, he continued studying tombak with Mr. Saeid Roudbary. Pezhham developed a very unique ability to grasp the technicalities of the tombak and bring a new approach to rhythm. His unique approach has resulted in Pezhham being termed one of the most distinguished musicians of his generation.

He has performed, recorded and toured with many master musicians, such as: Shahram Nazeri, Hossein Alizadeh, Ali Akbar Moradi, Zakir Hussain, and YoYoMa. Today, Pezhham resides in San Francisco, California where he teaches private lessons in music. He is working on different productions and projects and gives lectures and demonstrations in Persian music and performances.