Asal Malekzadeh, a versatile artist born in Iran in 1987, is a renowned DAF player and professional percussionist.

As an artist leader and manager, she is the founder of the SARMAST percussion group, which boasts 90 talented female DAF players. She is also an international fashion designer and a graduate in make-up for theater and film. Asal is also the owner of the MLK percussion brand.

In 2019, she will be releasing the album “In the Moment” as a duo with Danish guitarist Jon Hemmersam.

The DAF is a percussion instrument of Persian and Middle Eastern origin. It is a frame drum with a membrane stretched over a circular frame made of wood, metal or plastic. The DAF player uses his fingers and hand to strike or roll the fingers on the stretched membrane, creating rhythms and melodies. The DAF is often used in traditional Persian, Kurdish and other Middle Eastern music styles.