Mahdi Gholi Zadeh, born in 1979 in Amol, Iran, is a distinguished multi-percussion teacher and musician, currently residing in Germany since 2022. He graduated in IT engineering. His deep-seated passion for music was nurtured in a family of musicians, leading him to start learning oriental instruments(Daf, Tombak and Darbuka…) in his childhood.
His formal education in Latin percussion began with the mentorship of Homayoun Nasiri, focusing on instruments such as Congas, Bongos, Cajon, Djembe from 2000 to 2005. His thirst for knowledge and expertise led him to study different percussion instruments such as Tabla with Darshan Anand in 2013
In 2014, Mahdi embarked on an advanced journey of master classes with renowned percussionist Hakim Ludin. Here, he honed his skills in Congas, Bongos, and various techniques and styles, including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, and timbales. His training encompassed small percussion instruments like shakers, cabassa, and maracas, emphasizing world grooves and ensemble playing. Concurrently, he attended master classes by Stephan Maass and continued advanced training with Hakim Ludin in Congas, Cajon, Djembe, and Timbales until 2018.
Mahdi’s professional career spans over two decades, beginning in 1997. He has performed solo in workshops and served as a teacher and musician. His versatility as a percussionist is evident through his performances across various genres, including folk, pop, flamenco, and classical music. He has played with the Philharmonic Orchestra and contributed to numerous music albums since 2002.
His dedication to education is reflected in his role as a rhythm teacher at various institutions since 2002. Between 2015 and 2021, Mahdi was a juror for several festivals and music competitions, including student festivals, music school competitions, and the University of Art and Culture’s annual festival.
In 2018, Mahdi established Romak Seda, an institution dedicated to organizing concerts, festivals, conferences, workshops, and publishing music albums, poems, music videos, and single tracks. Romak Seda also manages music bands across different genres. in 2019, he authored a book on Desarketen, a traditional percussion instrument from Mazandaran. This book provides historical insights and a comprehensive repertoire for teaching this instrument, making a significant contribution to the preservation and education of Iranian folk music.
For the past 20 years, Mahdi has taught various percussion instruments to a diverse age group, including children, young adults, and adults. In Germany, he formed and leads the Romak Music Band with vocalist Zhaleh Ahmadi. The band has performed numerous concerts across different cities in Germany and Austria, showcasing Mahdi’s exceptional skills and passion for percussion.
Mahdi Gholi Zadeh’s illustrious career as a multi-percussionist and educator has left an indelible mark on the world of music. His relentless pursuit of excellence and his commitment to sharing his knowledge continue to inspire and shape the future of percussion music.