Iranian-Born Ricci Moshir Wins Top Reggae Award For His Song ‘Wakayo’
By Fred Parvaneh
Last November, Ricci Moshir (aka XOrasta Ricci) -- singer, songwriter, and leader of the band “Ricci and the Tic Tac Toes” -- won the award for Best Reggae Music for his song...
Ashkan Layegh Becomes First Iranian to Win Royal Academy of Music Scholarship
Ashkan Layegh, a 20-year-old musical prodigy, has won a full scholarship to study piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He is believed to be the first Iranian-born musician to...
Iran’s National Orchestra Gets Its First Female Conductor: Nezhat Amiri
Nezhat Amiri has been appointed as the first female conductor of Iran’s national orchestra. She will assume the post on August 30 at the Vahdat (formerly Roudaki) Concert Hall in Tehran.
This is the first...
After Live Duet With Female Artist, Musician Ali Ghamsari Banned from Performing
9 Jan- The Iranian authorities have banned the tar virtuoso, songwriter and singer Ali Ghamsari from recording and performing in public after he accompanied the solo vocalist Haleh Seyfizadeh in a concert on January...
Grammy-Nominated Kaveh Rastegar Performs With Springsteen, Writes for Bruno Mars
By Nazanine Nouri
Question: Which Iranian-American musician and songwriter came close to winning a Grammy Award when the music industry’s top trophies were handed out in March?
Answer: Kaveh Rastegar. The Iranian-American bass player and recording...
Kiosk Explores Underground Iranian Music With New Album
By Ahmad Rafat
Kiosk is one of the best-known and most popular Iranian rock bands in the world. The group recently released their ninth album, “Stereo Tull Presents,” with tracks composed by singer-songwriter Arash Sobhani (who is also a San Francisco-based architect).
Kiosk is one of the best-known and most popular Iranian rock bands in the world. The group recently released their ninth album, “Stereo Tull Presents,” with tracks composed by singer-songwriter Arash Sobhani (who is also a San Francisco-based architect).
Composer Mehdi Rajabian Releases Peace Album with 12 Mideastern Players
The Iranian composer Mehdi Rajabian (1989-) and 12 musicians from neighboring countries have released an album entitled “Middle East.” The record is the result of a remarkable collaboration between musicians in the region.
None of...
Getty Villa’s Open-Air Persian Concerts Feature Fared Shafinury, Awardwinning Setar Virtuoso
By Fred Parvaneh
On June 25, 2022, Farhang Foundation, a nonprofit organization established to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture, presented their second concert in a series at the Getty Villa’s open-air amphitheater. The...
INTERVIEW: Hollywood Soundtrack Composer, Niyaz Founder Loga Ramin Torkian
By Fred Parvaneh
Loga Ramin Torkian is an Iranian-born instrumentalist and composer and co-founder of the electronic-acoustic World Music groups Niyaz and Axiom of Choice.
Niyaz blends medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from Iran, India...
Remembering Lily Afshar, Master of Classical Guitar, University of Memphis Professor
By Nazanine Nouri
The internationally renowned classical guitarist Lily Afshar passed away at the age of 63 on October 24 following a long battle with illness. She was a hugely gifted and passionate instrumentalist, and...
