With the release of Old Friends, The Secret Trio continues its mission of bringing people together through the universal language of music. Known for their ability to weave together seemingly contrasting traditions, the ensemble blends eastern micro-tonal modes and intricate rhythmic patterns with western harmony and form, creating a sonic world that is at once familiar and refreshingly new.
This cross-cultural vision has been the hallmark of the Trio’s acclaimed recordings — Soundscapes, Three of Us, and Coexist. Now, with Old Friends, they deepen their artistry, proving that music truly has the power to dissolve boundaries.
Meet The Secret Trio
Ismail Lumanovski (clarinet) — Born in Macedonia in 1984, Lumanovski is recognized as one of the world’s leading clarinetists. Equally at home as a classical soloist with major symphony orchestras and a boundary-pushing improviser at global music festivals, his versatility and virtuosity bring unmatched depth to the Trio’s sound.
Tamer Pınarbaşı (kanun) — Born in Turkey in 1970, Pınarbaşı has revolutionized the playing of the kanun, a centuries-old Middle Eastern instrument. By developing a groundbreaking ten-finger technique, he expands its possibilities, merging traditional makams (modes) with modern harmonic concepts. His playing gives the Trio limitless flexibility in reimagining genres and idioms.
Ara Dinkjian (oud) — An Armenian-American composer and musician, Dinkjian was born in 1958 in the United States. His songs have been translated into 16 languages, but within The Secret Trio he is the grounding force. On the oud, he provides bass lines, chords, counterpoint, and rhythm — occasionally stepping into dazzling passages with his bandmates, but always with an ear toward balance and connection.
A Friendship in Music
Pınarbaşı and Dinkjian first met in 1996; nearly a decade later, in 2005, they were introduced to Lumanovski. What began as mutual admiration quickly evolved into a lasting friendship. Today, their chemistry on stage is undeniable. Audiences often remark not only on the Trio’s musical brilliance, but also on the joy the three radiate while playing together. It’s as if you are watching old friends share a musical conversation — and in many ways, you are.
The New Single
From Old Friends comes the single “Bülbülüm Altın Kafeste” (My Nightingale in the Golden Cage) — a traditional folksong from Thessaloniki. The piece is set in the Kürdi melodic mode and the aksak (9/8) rhythmic cycle, featuring a stunning improvisation by kanun virtuoso Tamer Pınarbaşı. It captures the Trio’s gift for marrying makam-based traditions with the harmonic richness of the western idiom.
Behind the Sound
Produced by Anderson Audio New York in collaboration with The Secret Trio, Old Friends was recorded and mixed at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, Studio 4 in Brooklyn between 2023 and 2024. Legendary engineer Jim Anderson handled recording and mixing, with mastering by Ulrike Schwarz at the Tippet Rise Arts Center in Montana. Immersive audio authoring was completed by Morten Lindberg (2L, Norway), ensuring the album delivers a multidimensional listening experience.
The Secret Trio Today
Featuring:
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Ismail Lumanovski – clarinet
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Ara Dinkjian – oud
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Tamer Pınarbaşı – kanun
With Old Friends, The Secret Trio reminds us that music is more than entertainment — it is a force for connection, friendship, and shared humanity.
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