Sarmast

Sarmast is a contemporary Iranian music project led by composer Reza Mirjalali, brought to life by a unique quartet featuring Loek van den Berg, Flavia Escartin, and Vinsent Planjer. Together, they blend Iranian, Armenian, and Western musical traditions into a powerful and distinctive artistic voice. The name Sarmast Persian for “intoxicated” or “ecstatic” reflects the emotional intensity and depth of their music.

Rooted in Iranian Dastgah–Maqam traditions, Sarmast blends these foundations with jazz and experimental music. Each piece is carefully shaped to tell real stories of loss, resilience, discovery, and growth, transforming lived experience into powerful musical narratives.

Sarmast speaks to questions of identity, belonging, and the emotional reality of living between cultures. Sarmast gives voice to Iranians who were silenced by violence, carrying their pain, courage, and longing for freedom.

Each member brings a distinct voice to the ensemble. Reza Mirjalali, a virtuoso on Tar, Vocal, oud, Moraj and kalimba, is deeply rooted in Iranian Dastgah traditions. Loek van den Berg, an award-winning saxophonist and duduk player, connects lyrical jazz language with Eastern musical worlds. Flavia Escartin adds a warm, folky cello sound while effortlessly shifting into the role of rock bass when needed. Vinsent Planjer completes the quartet with a versatile percussion setup, drawing from a wide palette of timbres and textures.

In live performance, Sarmast creates an intimate yet powerful musical space where tradition, personal history, and contemporary expression meet. Through compositions , experimentation the ensemble explores new possibilities for their instruments and traditions. Audiences are invited not only to listen but to enter a resonant, lived story filled with melody, interaction, and emotion.

LINE UP: Reza Mirjalali - tar, vocals, oud, moraj and kalimba Loek van den Berg - saxophone, duduk Flavia Escartin - cello, vocals Vinsent Planjer: percussion