Tara Jaff
Iraqi Kurdish musician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tara Jaff (Kurdish: تارا جاف, romanized: Tara Gaf) (born 1958 in Baghdad, Iraq) is a Kurdish musician, singer, and harpist. She is recognized for introducing the Celtic harp to Kurdish music, particularly in the Hawrami dialect, and blending traditional Kurdish melodies with classical, folk, and world influences.[1][2]
Tara Jaff | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1958 (age 67–68) |
| Origin | Halabja, Kurdistan Region |
| Genres | classical Kurdish music, folk, global music, fusion[disambiguation needed] |
| Occupations | Musician, singer, harpist, songwriter |
| Instruments | Celtic harp, guitar, mandolin, charango, bağlama |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | Kom Müzik, Avaye Barbod, Sony Music |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and education
Jaff was born in Baghdad to a Kurdish father from the Jaff family of Halabja who was also a diplomat, and a mother of Tatar Turkish descent.[3] She began piano studies at age ten at the Baghdad Musical Academy and also learned guitar, mandolin, charango, and bağlama.
After refusing to join the Ba'ath Party student organization, she was expelled from the Academy.[4]
In 1976, Jaff moved to the United Kingdom where she continued her studies, explored English folk music, and performed in local folk clubs.[5]
Career
Jaff experimented with multiple string instruments before discovering the Celtic harp, inspired by ancient Mesopotamian harps from Hurrians, Assyria, Sumer, and Elam.[6]
She adapted the harp to Kurdish music using novel tuning and plucking methods.
She has performed widely as a solo artist and in collaborations with musicians, poets, filmmakers, and visual artists, including Adnan Karim and Aynur Doğan.[7] Jaff also participates in outreach programs bringing music to hospitals for therapeutic purposes.
Musical style
Jaff emphasizes the preservation of classical Kurdish music, particularly the Hawrami style, blending its melodic modes and rhythms with Western harp techniques.[8]
Career timeline
Early years & ensembles (1976–1990s)
- 1976–1980: Joined a Chilean music band in London, performing songs of solidarity against the Pinochet regime (live performances, archival recordings).[9]
- 1990s: Began introducing the Celtic harp to Kurdish music, performing at European cultural festivals.
Definitive studio albums
- Diley Dêwanem (2006, Kom Müzik) – Notable tracks: "Yaran", "Ruhi Rewan", "Symfonyay Guman".[10]
- Asewar (Dialogue of Harp and Ney) (2012, Barbad Music) – Collaboration with Fardin Lahourpour.[11]
- Tembur & Harp - Sony Music (2015) – Collaboration with Cemil Qoçgiri.[12]
Notable singles & collaborations
| Year | Song/Project | Collaborator/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Hanasay Ashqan | With Adnan Karim |
| 2014 | Malan Bar Kir | Featured in "Music from Kurdistan" |
| 2016 | I Have No Wish to Say Goodbye | With Eleanor Turner & Rowena Calvert |
| 2020 | Qimil | With Pervin Chakar |
| 2021 | Na, Ne Tenê Me - I | With Mehmet Atlı |
| 2022 | Harp | Solo, including "The Black Cat", "Deer Hunting" |
| 2025 | Sultan | With Farid Elhami |
| 2026 | Dubara | Featuring Sia the Dj (Electronic/Global Fusion[disambiguation needed]) |
Archival & live performances
- Peşk (Compilation) – Multi-artist Kurdish compilation featuring her harp arrangements.
Tara Jaff playing the Harp during a cultural gathering at Aram Gallery in Sulaymaniyah. - The Oran Project – Exploration of Celtic and Middle Eastern musical crossovers.
- Live at La Marbrerie (2018, Paris) – Concert featuring Rusan Filiztek.[13]
Cultural & advocacy work
Jaff participates in Kurdish cultural events, charity concerts for disaster victims, and serves on the London Kurdish Film Festival organizing committee.
She is a proponent of preserving classical Kurdish music and collaborates with various groups to promote Kurdish heritage.[14] Jaff has showed solidarity for the Kurdish slogan Women, Life, Freedom, and has participated in a public demonstration in London against abuses done to Kurdish women fighters of Rojava by ISIS, joining the hair-braiding activity as a form of resistance and asking for International recognition for the sacrifices. [15]
Personal life
Tara has been married once to a Palestinian man. From this previous marriage, she has one child named: "Nahwand Jaff" who is an artist and photographer. She has not remarried.
Jaff speaks Kurdish Hawrami, Kurdish Sorani, Kurdish Kurmanji, English, and Turkish.[16]