BaranBand – A Journey of Music, Passion, and Reunification
From childhood, music was woven into our lives in every possible way—through singing games, family gatherings, and even funerals where our voices were called upon to comfort and uplift. It wasn’t just entertainment; it was a way of being. Gian played the violin, I (Marouf) took piano lessons but had no instrument to practice on, making the journey a bit more challenging. Eventually, we found our own musical paths—Gian through opera and Western classical music, and me through the deep-rooted traditions of the tanbour.
Life took us in different directions. Gian moved to Tehran, where he immersed himself in classical music and fine arts, while I traveled to Gahvareh, learning the sacred traditions of tanbour among the Ahl-e Haqq. Our studies led us across the world—Gian to Essen, Germany, for opera, and me through Finland, Turkey, and Rotterdam to explore folk traditions. Yet, in the end, fate brought us back together in Tampere, Finland, where Gian was working with the opera.
This reunion was more than just personal—it was musical. We realized that we had evolved, grown, and learned so much, yet we still carried the same passion for music that had driven us as children. This was the birth of BaranBand, not just as a musical project, but as a necessity. We didn’t just want great musicians; we wanted unique personalities who could breathe life into music beyond their own traditions.
Lotta Heiskanen, a jazz violinist from Sibelius Academy, was our first choice—her passion for Middle Eastern music made her an obvious fit. Esko Grundström, a multi-instrumentalist with an intuitive musical connection to us, became another cornerstone of the band. And then, our versatile percussionist Ahoora Hosseini joined, adding his Iranian percussive mastery to our evolving sound.
On drums and percussion, we have Ricardo Padilla, a Chilean-born musician whose talents span from Renaissance and Baroque music to Latin, jazz, and pop. Raised in Finland, Ricardo has performed worldwide, from Europe to the Americas and Asia, bringing his dynamic energy and rich musical heritage to BaranBand.
BaranBand has come a long way, shaping its own unique sound over the years—a sound that reflects who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed. Our music continues to evolve, making people dance, celebrate, and create new stories with us. And still, there is so much more to come