Studio 150 X Amarte

With support from Amarte, Studio 150 launched an open call aimed at emerging musical talents interested in performing live for an audience in a unique setting. The selected artists will perform in the former Bethlehem Church in Amsterdam, where a professional concert recording of the live performance will be made.

Please note: attendance is by invitation only. However, you can watch the concert (live) by following this link to Studio 150’s YouTube channel.

About Sarmast
Sarmast is a project initiated by Reza Mirjalali, in collaboration with Loek van den Berg, in which Iranian, Armenian, and Western music converge. The name Sarmast (Persian for “intoxicated” or “ecstatic”) reflects the emotional power of their music. Reza, a virtuoso on the Tar, Ud, and Kalimba, grew up in Iran and learned traditional music from his father, maestro Shahram Mirjalali. His playing is rooted in the Radif and Maqam traditions, yet he continually seeks renewal and cultural connection. Loek, an award-winning saxophonist and composer, is known for his lyrical style and also plays the Duduk, through which he deeply engages with Eastern traditions. Together, they explore new possibilities for their instruments, creating a contemporary sound world through improvisation and experimentation. Jazz, maqam music, and modern composition intertwine, as Sarmast blurs boundaries and takes the audience on a journey of melody, interaction, and emotion.

Reza Mirjalali began making music at a young age, when he learned Tombak (Persian percussion) and Tar (Persian string instrument) from his father, Maestro Shahram Mirjalali. Thanks to his exceptional talent, he was already giving concerts at age 14. By 17, he was touring with his father and collaborating with musicians from various genres. He won several solo and improvisation competitions in Iran. Driven by his dream to bridge Eastern and Western cultures, Reza moved to the Netherlands in 2013 to study World Music at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam, graduating in 2017. Specialising in Radif and Maqam — melodic systems in Iranian and Turkish music — Reza continues to blend the rich traditions of his heritage with modern influences. His mission is to unite cultures and transcend musical boundaries.