San Diego is fortunate to have had many musicians of note rise through its music. But few may have had the breakout success of the group Dawn of Midi. What makes the trio’s accolades so notable is that it isn’t a rock, country or hip-hop act, instead specializing in improvised jazz. On Feb. 23 at 6 p.m., Dawn of Midi will perform at the Neurosciences Institute in a concert presented by The Federation of Indian Associations San Diego. The event will include a reception, appetizers and dinner provided by restaurant KC’s Tandoor. The show is part of a pair of concerts, one on each coast, performed by the group as preparation for a European tour set to open April 16 in Austria. Comprised of three classically-trained virtuoso performers, Indian (and native San Diegan) contrabassist Aakaash Israni, Pakistani percussionist Qasim Naqvi and Moroccan pianist Amino Belyamani, Dawn of Midi was originally formed in 2007, releasing its debut album, “First,” in March 2010. The disc was an instant success, with critics at The Chicago Reader, New York radio station WFMU and website Instant Jazz citing it amongst the year’s best releases. Within months Dawn of Midi found themselves on a North American tour, followed by a road trip through Japan. Although free jazz tunes are often also described as “improvisational” or “experimental,” Israni prefers to think of Dawn of Midi’s music as a “conversational dialogue between three instruments, three friends. We’re trying to create a narrative, done in real time.” Despite the use of Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), in its name, ironically, the band only uses acoustic instruments. “The name has to do with the era we grew up in,” Israni said. “It came around in the early 1980s. We thought it was a curious expression of the times and liked the way it sounded.” The Cardiff resident was born in India, arriving in San Diego as a six-month-old. It was clear even as a child that music would be Israni’s lifelong pursuit, first taking up guitar and piano before moving to bass in his teens. He would go on to study music at the University of California, San Diego and later Cal Arts, where Dawn of Midi would eventually form. Israni admits to being pleasantly surprised by the response of the group’s first album. “We didn’t expect press and especially not the worldwide recognition,” he said. “We really liked the music, but we had no idea other people would as well. We’re very grateful.” Dawn of Midi was recently awarded a 2011 Chamber Music America Presenting Jazz Grant to produce new recordings. Sessions are already underway, in between bouts of touring. “There’s a chance we might do an album that’s completely compositional, just to shake things up,” Israni said. Meanwhile, a second European tour for Dawn of Midi is shaping up for this fall, with Israni and Naqvi also working on a rock album for their side project, “Recorder.” Even with all the acclaim and air miles piling up, Israni said the best part about Dawn of Midi is the company of his bandmates. “I think the friendship aspect is really the thing that makes playing music so gratifying,” he said. “Because the music is a result of that relationship.” WHAT: Dawn of Midi, a concert for those age 13 and up. Tickets are $20 at . www.seagateconcerts.org or www.dawnofmidi.com WHEN: Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. WHERE: The Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, Torrey Pines Mesa.