On the pedal harp and artistic direction, Maia Darmé is a French soloist of international renown, hailed as an ambassador for her instrument. Recognized for her commanding on-stage presence and expressive… (+)
“UNIQUE. MESMERIZING. THIS CHARISMATIC TRIO SHATTERS EXPECTATIONS.”
World-class musicians performing an eclectic repertoire on an unprecedented combination of striking instruments… Harkan is a most outstanding and unusual musical project, bringing together French classical harpist Maia Darme, Tunisian kanun (oriental zither) player Nidhal Jaoua, and Iranian Kurd percussionist Ebrahim Ahmadi (daf, dayereh, dahol and bendir).
Expect enrapturing dances, soothing ballads, and music from all around the greater Mediterranean infused with a jazz twist and classical influences. Already a household name in Maghreb, they are now taking their trademark sunny performance style north of the sea. Brace yourselves for a moment away from reality, orchestrated by internationally-renowned virtuosos.
Nidhal Jaoua
On the kanun, Nidhal Jaoua is a Tunisian virtuoso known for his versatility and for expanding the expressive possibilities of his instrument through eclectic and innovative musical fusions. He has shared… (+)
Ebrahim Ahmadi
On percussion, Ebrahim Ahmadi is a Kurdish-Iranian musician who plays the daf, dayereh, dahol and bendir (traditional frame and bass drums), as well as the setar (a three-stringed lute). Born in Iran’s… (+)
DISCOVER OUR NEW MUSIC VIDEO
Harkan performs their new track "Farha" ('joy' in Arabic) as an electric harp, kanun and percussions trio.
Mixing jazz and oriental influences, the highly energetic piece was recorded in an acoustic session at the ElBirou art gallery Sousse, Tunisia.
HARKAN IN THE PRESS
“An exceptional concert”
— Le Républicain, 16/05/2022
“With Harkan, the Eastern qanun and the Western harp are in perfect harmony. They seem to converse, answering and enriching each other. The band has already performed more than ten concerts across Tunisia, each drawing huge crowds – whether at Ennejma Ezzahra, the Municipal Theatre, the Abdelliya Palace, the Agora, the Sousse Museum, or the Hergla Festival.”
— Tunisie Direct, 19/02/2023
“Absolutely stunning… A musical project unlike any other in the world. Ambitious and visionary young artists overflowing with talent.”
— Le Quotidien, 20/12/2018
“Harkan received a standing ovation. Over 800 listeners came to applaud the trio, who delivered nearly two hours of a fantastic show.”
— Sud Ouest, 27/07/2022
“From the very first notes, the audience was won over by the magnetic presence and seasoned artistry of these young virtuosos. A sheer moment of bliss!”
— La Presse, 18/09/2018
“This union of the harp and kanun is simply magical”
— La Dépêche du Bassin, 28/07/2022
“Trio Harkan offered the audience a true escape, transporting the packed crowd far and wide. For an hour and a half, music lovers were carried away by this Mediterranean soundscape shaped by a wealth of influences.”
— Le Journal de Saône et Loire, 24/01/2023
“With Harkan, Maia Darmé weaves a beautiful dialogue between cultures, where the European harp and the Eastern kanun blend genres and respond to one another in perfect harmony. A band that people will be talking about for a long time to come.”
— L’instant M, 11/03/2020
“The camera struggles to keep up with the virtuosic dance of fingers across the strings”
— Tunivisions, 28/02/2020
“A palpable connection between the artists, who successfully bridged two utterly different musical worlds. Listening to the kanun and the harp becomes a game of hide-and-seek – a riddle to unravel. Harkan’s future shines bright.”
— Musicien.tn, 13/09/2018
“A richly flavoured musical journey, marked by subtlety, stage charisma, technical mastery, sensitivity, and, above all, the spellbinding fusion of the harp and kanun. The notes of each instrument seem to embrace those of the other, savoring, for the length of a piece, a taste of its culture...”
— La Presse, 03/08/2018