Zaatar investigates the rich intersection of jazz, eastern Mediterranean folk, and classical music, meeting in the vast world of improvisation. Their shared interest is exploring complex new musical material, such as polyrhythms, odd meters and new instrumental techniques. The musicians met while studying at CODARTS (Conservatory of Rotterdam), and the notion to begin their musical adventure together swiftly led in successful concerts in several towns across the Netherlands. Zaatar’s players were born in five distinct countries (Cyprus, Belgium, Turkey, Germany, and Syria), and their musical backgrounds are equally diverse: Sebastian, Baris, and Nikolas have degrees in jazz, Anan in Makam-based music, and Lina in Western classical music.