Dive into the evocative soundscape of The Black Fish Project, a cross-genre creation by Iranian-Canadian composer Keyan Emami.

Commissioned by the Ton Beau String Quartet (TBSQ) in 2019, this multidisciplinary masterpiece draws inspiration from the iconic Persian children's story, “The Little Black Fish.” The narrative follows a curious fish on a transformative journey, paralleling Emami's own experiences as an immigrant.

Composed for string quartet, clarinet, double bass, percussion, and electronics, The Black Fish seamlessly blends Western classical music, jazz, Arabic maqam, and Persian modal music. Divided into three movements — Dailiness, Dreaming, and Swimming in D — the project features the Black Fish Ensemble, includes the Ton Beau String Quartet, maqam and jazz clarinetist Majd Sekkar, double bassist Andrew Downing, vibraphone and percussionists Louis Pino and Naoko Tsujita, and composer Keyan Emami on live electronics.

Experience the fusion of cultures and genres as The Black Fish Project weaves a captivating tale through Emami's unique musical language. Immerse yourself in a journey of self-discovery and cultural exploration, guided by the rich and diverse sounds of this extraordinary ensemble.