Kohesia Ensemble offers jazz like you won’t hear anywhere else in Perth, and this show brings together a range of guests for a special experience that celebrates Persian culture.

Well-known local double bassist Kate Pass leads this 7-piece ensemble which features several Persian instruments - the ney (an ethereal sounding kind of wooden flute), saz and oud (plucked string instruments, the former metallic and the latter more subtle and soft) - along with some of the usual instruments you’d expect from a Western jazz ensemble - double bass, drums, piano and trumpet.

The group is made up of very accomplished performers: you may recognise members from the various bands they play in across a range of genres. Together, Kohesia Ensemble has performed at several festivals and been featured on RTRfm. They won the 2020 FRINGE WORLD Martin Sims Award - the Festival’s top prize, recognising the best new WA act “that is destined to succeed on the world’s stage”. And last year they released their second album, “Silver Lining”.

If you’ve seen the group perform before, Kohesia Ensemble and Friends will still offer something new, with the show featuring several special guests who add tombak (a Persian drum), violin and vocals to the mix.

Pieces performed were compositions and arrangements by the ensemble members and guests with sources of inspiration including Persian poetry and philosophy. Their sound ranged from soft and haunting, with the ney and vocals over flowing piano, to more lively and festive, with driving drums and trumpet. The qualities of each instrument and the talents of the performers were showcased with solos that received rapt applause.

The ensemble kept the audience enchanted with their beautiful music: I doubt anyone was ready to leave at the end of the hour-long show.

Kohesia Ensemble and Friends is something unique for jazz and world music fans to enjoy.