Zaatar Quintet

Zaatar (English: thyme) is a unique quintet that combines the roots of Makam music with jazzy and classical aromas. Their musical style is as diverse as the herb they named after, offering a rich and versatile sound. With a jazz rhythm section as their foundation, the warm, earthy tones of the bass clarinet blend beautifully with the lively and exciting sound of the violin.

The ensemble’s members hail from five different countries—Cyprus, Belgium, Turkey, Germany, and Syria—and bring with them equally diverse musical backgrounds. Sebastian, Baris, and Nikolas are trained in jazz, Anan specializes in Makam-based music, and Lina brings her expertise in Western classical music.

The instrumentation is also striking: Lina plays bass clarinet and B-clarinet, while Anan plays violin and bass violin. This experimental bass violin offers a greater range than a viola, allowing the two melody instruments to effortlessly switch roles within the quintet.

Zaatar explores the rich intersections of jazz, Eastern Mediterranean folk music and classical music, connected by the limitless possibilities of improvisation. Their shared passion for innovation drives them to delve into complex musical concepts such as polyrhythms, irregular time signatures and advanced instrumental techniques.

The musicians met during their studies at CODARTS (Rotterdam Conservatory). Their collaboration quickly blossomed and led to successful performances in various cities in the Netherlands. Zaatar is currently working on their debut album, which will be released in the summer of 2025.