Kourosh Kanani is considered one of the most remarkable and distinct genre blending

guitar players of his generation.

Kanani is a half Iranian half Irish guitar virtuoso and composer instinctively blending

Iranian folk, South Indian rhythm techniqes and jazz improvisation with a massive

emphasis on groove power.

Born in Yorkshire in 1992, he was exposed very early on to a wide variety of music and

was known to pick up melody’s and play them on the family piano from the age of 3.

His interest leaned strongly towards guitar which lead him to his first one at 8 years old,

performing solo concerts at his school at age 9 and playing in a rock band at 12.

Kourosh since became one of the most prominant players on the international Gypsy Jazz

scene recording on his first album “Love Letters” in 2017 and performed and taught at

Django in June festival in Massachusetts in 2018.

Since 2020 Kourosh began leanring South Indian rhythm under the guidance of Vidwan

BC Manjunath, consequently leading him to create his own style of guitar playing from

emulating Mridangam and Konnakol artists.

In 2021 he released his debut album “Aysan” under his own name. A work influenced

heavily by music from his Iranian heritage and South Indian rhythm concepts which lead

to television appearences on MBC and BBC Persia and being commisioned to compose

music for an arts documentary for Iran International.

In 2023 he releases his second album “Gone” which also featured Iranian classical

musicians on Day, Kamanche, Piano and Duduk.

Kourosh’s celebrated music brought him to perform with Ibrahim Maalouf at the 02

Shephards Bush Empire and on BBC Radio 6 and a world tour with Ali Azimi.

In 2026, Kourosh released his the single Lay Laye with his main collaborator Matt Davies

on drums and played at La Scene Musicale in April 2026 for Le Printemps de Jazz.

Kourosh has achieved global recognition for his command over rhythm, harmonic

concepts and contribution to cultural education.

Kourosh continues his work as composer/guitarist working with Matt Davies and

collaborating with Iranian, Armenian and Arabic vocalists.