Afro Anatolian Tales

Afro Anatolian Tales is a boundary-crossing music project founded by Dutch-Turkish percussionist Sjahin During. The debut album, Afro Anatolian Tales (2008, Double Moon Records), received international acclaim, earning a place in BBC’s Charlie Gillett’s Top 5 and a 5-star review in Songlines Magazine, calling it “a fascinating and contemplative musical journey.” Since then, the ensemble has evolved through collaborations with a diverse group of artists. Rooted in the musical traditions of Anatolia, Iran, India, and other Silk Road cultures, their music blends ancient rhythmic and melodic elements with contemporary electronics and improvisation. Based in Amsterdam and led by its core trio, Afro Anatolian Tales builds a “musical bridge of sounds between the Orient and Occident.” With shifting line-ups and immersive soundscapes, each performance becomes a vibrant, genre-defying experience. The ensemble regularly collaborates with festivals and venues through residencies and tailor-made artistic exchanges. Each concert is shaped by the place, moment, and musicians involved — resulting in performances that are never repeated and always in dialogue with tradition and innovation. The third production, Tarab Dance, will be released internationally, followed by an album tour launching in 2026.