Bearing in mind it was the eve of Eid, it might be expected that Cyminology’s ill-timed concert would attract little attention. However, by dint of reputation, as well as backing by the Goethe Institute, the German quartet still managed to conjure up a healthy audience.
Cyminology is fronted by Cymine Samawatie. First generation German born to Iranian parents, Samawatie has used her exotic ancestry to shake up the jazz scene. “Cyminology means the study of Cymine, myself. Samawatie told Daily News Egypt. “I used to write lyrics in English, but I feel more comfortable singing in Farsi.
With the cultured class’ obsession with anything remotely cross-cultural, not to mention cross-linguistic, there was no doubt that mystical Persian poetry backed by experimental jazz would summon a following.
Cymine chose renowned Iranian mystic poets such as Hafiz, Jalal El-Din Rumi and Omar Khayyam – and with professional musicianship – transformed them into song and scat. During her performance, she would translate the songs into English to give the audience an idea of the content.
However, Cymine is right when she says “most gets lost in translation. Despite the brave efforts of various translators, the intensely mystical and obscure nature of Persian poetry can’t be rendered into English. “We hope the language can still touch you even if you can’t understand it, Cymine continued.
Perhaps jazz, with its demand for symbiosis, is then the ideal medium to deliver these medieval missives. “Improvised jazz is in its very nature like a conversation, said Benedikt Jahmel, Cyminology’s pianist. “You have to try and make the other person look good, but at the same time, know when they are going to speak and complement that in whatever you play.
In fact, this is exactly how Cyminology was first formed. While studying together in Berlin, Samawatie overheard Jahnel play from the practice level above. Liking what she heard, she came down to join him. They exchanged tunes and Cyminology was born.
That was in 2001. A year later, Samawatie’s childhood friend Ralf Schwarz joined the band. A former acoustic guitarist, Schwarz has relinquished his long hair for double bass and shaved head. “He does things in extremes, Samawatie told the audience, much to Schwarz’s bemusement.
Following Schwarz came drummer Ketan Bhattie. Although Bhattie was born in India, he doesn’t speak Hindi, which precludes taking a trip further east. However, Bhattie’s remarkably energetic drum soliloquies, which at times lean towards the more rocky side of Jazz, were no doubt among the highlights of the evening.
Although Cyminology have received international critical acclaim, having been awarded the New Generation Award (2003), the fourth Jazz and Blues Award (2004) and the Moebus Jazz Award (2004), this has not deflected some critics accusations that they are still another “coffee shop jazz group.
Samawatie’s vocal gymnastics and Jahnel s piano calisthenics were not distinct from regular jazz showmanship that distinguishes this genre as the music of the self-indulgent. Yet, in essence, this is jazz: A captured moment of inspiration coupled with first class skill, the like of which can never precisely be recreated.
It’s certainly a niche, perhaps even an acquired taste, but if that’s your thing, you won’t be disappointed.
