Dutch jazz saxophonist Yuri Honing performed a quartet at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall on February 15 during the 30th edition of Fajr International Music Festival

An interesting statement Yuri did during his visit in Tehran was the following: “What one hears and reads about the Middle East in Europe does not conform to realities on the ground, including in Iran.”

About Yuri Honing

Yuri Honing is one of Holland’s most important saxophone players (according to the Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD and the Oxford Introduction to jazz). Yuri Honing started his own Trio in 1990, with bassist Tony Overwater and drummer Joost Lijbaart. The absence of a chordal instrument in the band gives the threesome great harmonic freedom.

Honing had his first major success in 1996 with his album Star Tracks, which comprised recordings of pop songs as an alternative to the American Songbook. The album became a hit in the Netherlands and Germany, and gained significant notice in the UK as well.

His album ‘Seven’ recorded with Paul Bley, Gary Peacock and Paul Motion received the Edison Jazz Award (Dutch Grammy) in 2001.

In 2012 Yuri Honing was awarded with the Boy Edgar Prize, the most prestigious jazz prize in the Netherlands.

Other career highlights:

2001 Honing toured with Bley and bassist Charlie Haden.

2003 He performed with guitarist Pat Metheny and bassist Scott Colley.

2006 He recorded Symphonic with arranger and composer Vince Mendoza.

More photos including other artists: ISNA Photos

Sources: ISNA Photos, wikipedia | Yuri Honing, Iran Front Page