Ziya Tabassian

Recognized for his virtuosity, musical sensitivity, and innovative approach to percussion, Ziya Tabassian began his musical journey at the age of ten in Iran, where he immersed himself in the study of the tombak. After moving to Quebec, he pursued Western classical percussion studies with Julien Grégoire from 1994 to 2001 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Performance from the Université de Montréal. A pivotal moment in his artistic development came during a residency at the Banff Centre in 2003, where he began exploring Iranian percussion within a contemporary context—an approach that continues to shape his distinctive musical voice.

His artistic journey has led him to study with renowned masters including Bahman Rajabi, Aziz Alami, Trichy Sankaran, Mısırli Ahmet, Shree Sundarkumar, and Yogesh Samsi. Driven by a deep musical curiosity, Tabassian has developed a singular practice at the crossroads of Persian classical music, early music—from medieval to Baroque traditions—contemporary creation, and diverse musical cultures.

A sought-after percussionist, he collaborates with numerous ensembles and artists, notably Ensemble Caprice and Master Hossein Omoumi. His career has taken him to more than forty countries, performing at major international festivals and concert halls and collaborating with musicians from a wide range of traditions.

With the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec and the Canada Council for the Arts, Tabassian has also pursued extensive work as a composer and researcher. His discography includes Tombak (2007), Le Cercle des Cycles(2017), Zarb-e Osul (2020), Remembrances (2023), and, most recently, SafarNameh (2025).

At the heart of his creative work is a sustained exploration of rhythm—its history, structure, and expressive possibilities. Drawing on Persian rhythmic traditions while engaging with contemporary musical languages, his compositions and performances create a dynamic dialogue between inherited forms and new modes of expression.

Through his work as a performer, composer, and researcher, Ziya Tabassian continues to expand the expressive possibilities of percussion, forging connections across cultures, musical traditions, and centuries.