Red poster for the 1st Iranian Music Festival with abstract string design and Persian script.

FIRST IRANIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

FIRST IRANIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL

North Ryde School of Arts
26 October 2024

City of Ryde logo with "Lifestyle and opportunity at your doorstep" slogan and a colorful rectangular design underneath.

The Second Iranian Music Festival in Sydney, presented by CozyStage and proudly funded by the NSW government, took place from Wednesday, 23 October, to Saturday, 26 October 2024.

The festival brought together over 1,100 audience members across two vibrant venues: North Ryde School of Arts and Haymarket Creatives.

Across four days, attendees experienced nine remarkable music performances that celebrated the rich diversity of Iranian musical traditions. Each performance offered a unique journey through the evolution of Iranian music, blending traditional melodies with contemporary compositions to create an unforgettable experience.

Program

Musicians and choir performing on stage, with a man playing a stringed instrument, another playing a violin, and a person with a drum, all wearing black.

CozyChoir

  • Formed in 2020, CozyChoir blends voices and instruments to reimagine Iranian classical and folk music, infusing it with fresh harmonies. Celebrating Iran’s rich musical heritage while embracing innovation, our deep community concern drives us to revive nostalgia through music, fostering wellbeing and embracing the spirit of togetherness. Join us in this harmonious journey of cultural revival.

  • Shervin Mirzeinali: Conductor & Arrangements
    Ali Yarmohammadi: Tar
    Bahar Ostadrahimi: Violin
    Nima Ramezani: Piano
    Sattar Tabatabaei: Electric guitar
    Ehsan Kachooei: Bass guitar
    Sasan Rose: Tombak & daf
    Choir: CozyChoir singers

Three musicians on stage playing instruments, including a drum and a santur, with microphones and a piano in the background.

Baaresh

  • Traditional Iranian music weaves intricate melodies, evocative motifs, and timeless stories, resonating across generations. Its elegant simplicity forges deep connections, adapting seamlessly to life’s rhythms. Rooted in seven modes, called Dastgahs: Shur, Segah, Chahargah, Humayun, Mahour, Nava, Rast Panjgah.

  • Moez Mousavi: Vocal
    Armin Riazifar: Santoor
    Arman Gouniai: Tombak

Two musicians on stage; one playing a traditional string instrument and the other playing a drum. A grand piano is in the background. The stage is lit with red lighting.

Hamed & Sohrab

  • Hamed Sadeghi is an Iranian-born tar player and composer based on Gadigal land (Sydney). Trained as a Persian classical musician in Tehran, Hamed’s haunting compositions give you a taste of his cherished culture.

    He has performed at the most notable music festivals and in prestigious concert halls in Australia and overseas. He has toured nationally and internationally with his band Eishan Ensemble, the improvisation trio Vazesh and with Persian maestro Shahram Nazeri amongst others.

    He has been scoring music for multiple theatre and dance productions including Sami in Paradise Belvoir 2018, Stop Girl Belvoir 2021, The Boomkak Panto Belvoir 2021, Cloe Fournier’s Tout Ce Sa at Sydney Dance Company and William Zappa’s The Iliad at Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival and Fourwinds festival.

    As a composer Sadeghi has released 4 albums to critical acclaimed and has earned recognition through nominations for ARIA Awards 2021 for best world music album and best jazz album He has been a finalist at APRA Art Music Awards and has been nominated for best original score of mainstage production at Sydney Theatre Awards.

  • Hamed Sadeghi: Tar
    Sohrab Kolahdooz: Tombak

Black and white photo of a four-person band performing on stage, with musicians playing an electric guitar, a traditional lute-like instrument, drums, and a trumpet.

Madhouche

  • Recently formed in Sydney, Madhouche Ensemble, brings the Persian melodic features to groove.

    The idea of Madhouche first came to Ashkan Shafiei in 2021, after a friend gave him a Rubab as a gift when he was leaving Iran to immigrate to Australia. Ashkan soon fell in love with Rubab and decided to form a music around this magical instrument being played in middle eastern, central and south Asian countries from ancient times until now.

    Ashkan – composer, songwriter, vocalist – mentions his idea to Antonio Puglisi, a Sydney based drummer. Ashkan and Antonio start jamming over some ideas and soon after Pedro Tacla Yamada, a Brazilian origin bassist, and Raff Allison- a Sydney based trumpetist join the band.

    Madhouche aims to create a music for a versatile range of listeners, but mainly those who are interested in exotic sounds of middle east touching deep emotions, but don’t mind a groove to move their body to sometimes.

    Perhaps, “ethnic fusion” best describes Madhouche’s music. A music that tries to capture the element of movement and groove in Persian origin melodies.

  • Ashkan Shafiei: Rubab
    Raff Allison: Trumpet
    Pedro Tacla Yamada: Bass guitar
    Antonio Puglisi: Drum

Live band performance on stage with a female singer and several musicians playing instruments, including drums, guitar, and traditional string instruments, under red stage lighting.

Avaye Rood

  • Avaye Rood was established by Behzad Ansari in 2006. Behzad serves as the band’s primary composer. The group has left an indelible mark on the international music scene, gracing stages across Iran, Germany, Greece, Australia, and beyond.

    Avaye Rood presents a blend of Persian-inspired original music, combining English and Persian poems by Rumi. The band’s name, translating to “sound of the river,” pays homage to an ancient Iranian musical instrument reminiscent of a lute.

  • Behzad Ansari: Composer, tar and barbat
    Marjan Kandi: Vocal and guitar
    Martin Harris: Vocal and guitar
    Joseph Tabua: E. guitar
    Mark Szeto: Double bass
    Pegah Kheirdoush: Kamancheh
    Reza Mamati: Daf and drums
    Ray Abdishou: Drums
    Abhijit Dan: Tabla

Musicians performing on a stage with red lighting, accompanied by an artist painting on a canvas.

CozyMinimal

  • Embarking from its 1960s roots, minimal music initially emerged as an experimental movement in New York, associated with composers such as La Monte Young, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich.

    Core to this genre includes steady pulsation, a reiteration of melodic phrases, and the art of gradual evolution. Remarkably, a kindred aesthetic of repetitive patterns echoes in various art forms of Iranian heritage, notably in Khayyam Khani—a ritual that gracefully echoes Khayyam’s verses through repeated rhythms.

    During the festival, we will showcase a captivating live calligraphy performance by Reza Taghipour, where he inscribes the influence he derives from the live performance unfolding around him. This harmonious collaboration with the music of CozyMinimal aims to craft a unique musical language, drawing inspiration from the minimalism movement while weaving in the rich tapestry of Iran’s traditional melodies.

    To fully grasp this experience, we invite you to listen patiently, engaging in a meditative mode that allows the fusion of influences to resonate deeply.

  • Reza Taghipour: Calligrapher
    Ehsan Kachooei: Setar
    Ali Yarmohammadi: Tar
    Shervin Mirzeinali: Piano & electronics
    Arman Gouniaei: Tombak

GOLD SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

Logo with text "SSI" and slogan "For equality of life" featuring three yellow dots on a transparent background.

SILVER SPONSORS

Logo with green leaf wreath and brown script text "more than sweet catering."
Logo of the Iranian Australian Film and Theatre Association INC featuring yellow and black lettering with stylized spotlight designs.
Hand-drawn bird outline with "clay by Soraya" text, black background.
Logo of Art Decoline Pty Ltd featuring a stylized building with alternating gold and gray horizontal lines above the company name.
Logo of Persian Film Festival Australia with a stylized gold winged figure.

TEAM

Artistic Director: Shervin Mirzeinali
Operations Manager: Ehsan Kachooei
Graphic Designer: Reza Taghipour
Photographer: Sasha Shahrabi
Videographer: Behdad Delavari
Administrator: Fereshteh Mehrnia
Translator: Alireza Sadeghi

VOLUNTEERS

Mahsa Vaez
Chandni Dewan
Hamed Jan Ali
Maryam Talebi
Sasan Rose
Ehsan Vatandoost
Ali Mansoury
Mahan Tavakoli
Nooshin Khairollahpour
Rose Mousavi

Person playing a string instrument under red lighting
A choir on stage with a conductor in front, a guitarist, a violinist, and a percussionist playing a frame drum. The choir members hold open books and appear to be mid-performance. The lighting is red, creating a warm ambiance.
Band performing on stage with various instruments including guitar, oud, and drums, featuring a female singer, in front of a seated audience and red curtain backdrop.
Two musicians perform on stage, one playing a drum, and the other playing a stringed instrument similar to a tar, seated under red lighting and microphones.
Musician playing a double bass on stage under red lighting, with a music stand in front. Curtains in the background.
Person standing next to a painting with red and white abstract calligraphy on two panels.
Five people standing on a stage with a two-panel artwork displaying abstract calligraphy, featuring red and white colors.
A musical ensemble performing on stage with various instruments including guitars, a violin, and a drum, accompanied by a choir in the background under dim lighting.
Two musicians performing on stage with traditional instruments, including a drum and a string instrument, in front of a piano. Black and white photo.
Black and white image of a person playing a trumpet with a drum set in the background.
Black and white image of a drummer playing a drum set with cymbals on a dark stage.
Two men standing in a dimly lit room with red lighting, one holding a bouquet of flowers, with posters of people in the background.
Dimly lit room with red lighting, people gathered and conversing, wall adorned with large portraits, possibly of historical or cultural figures.
Musicians performing on stage under red lighting, with various instruments including a keyboard and string instruments, and an artist painting on a large canvas.
Audience seated in a dimly lit conference room with red lighting, arches, and portraits on the wall.
Two men standing on stage with microphones in a performance setting, a grand piano and music stand in the background, and a person at a control station with a laptop in the foreground.
Two men standing in a red-lit room, one holding a bouquet of flowers, with posters of faces on the wall behind them.
Person sitting on a chair holding a stringed musical instrument with a microphone on a stand in front, under red lighting.
Close-up of a person playing a string instrument under red lighting.
Person playing a drum in red lighting
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing a tar and the other playing a drum, seated on chairs with microphones nearby, under red lighting.
Person playing a traditional string instrument on stage with microphone.
Four men standing together in a dimly lit room with red lighting, smiling at the camera. They are wearing casual and semi-formal attire. Chairs are visible in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing drums and the other playing a small brass instrument, with red lighting and a curtain backdrop.
Two musicians perform on stage; one plays an electric bass guitar while the other sings and plays a traditional string instrument, with a piano visible in the background and stage lighting overhead.
Four people in a dimly lit room with red lighting, looking and smiling at a poster of a historic figure, labeled 'Qamar ol-Moluk Vaziri.'
Musician playing a double bass on stage with red lighting
A band performing on stage with a female vocalist and various musicians playing instruments such as a bass guitar and string instruments, under red lighting.
Musician playing piano and keyboard with laptop on piano lid, illuminated by red light, in a dimly lit setting.
Musicians performing on stage with red lighting while a man paints on a canvas.
Four musicians performing on stage with red lighting, playing traditional string and percussion instruments, seated with music stands in front of them.
Musicians performing on stage with string instruments and piano under red lighting.
Two men stand on either side of three red-toned posters featuring black and white portraits of historical figures, illuminated by red lighting in a gallery setting.
Black and white photo of a man standing on stage with a mustache and glasses, holding a paper in front of him, with a chair and microphone stand visible in the background.
A black and white photo of a group of people in a room with photographs on the wall. One person is looking at a phone, while others are engaged in conversation. The setting appears formal, with individuals dressed in suits and dresses.
Four people in a red-lit room with portraits on the wall, one person using a mobile phone.
Group of people, including a man in a maroon shirt shaking hands with another in a blue blazer, near an entrance at an event.
Two men on stage under red lighting, one speaking into a microphone while holding a phone, the other holding a piece of paper, with musical instruments in the background.
Two men on stage with microphones, addressing an audience; piano visible in background.
Choir and musicians performing on stage with instruments and sheet music.
A choir performing on stage with two musicians in the foreground, one playing a string instrument and the other a violin, all dressed in black. Red stage lighting illuminates the scene.
A group of musicians and singers performing on stage with various instruments, including guitar, violin, and piano, and a conductor leading them. The singers are dressed in black and holding sheet music.
Choir and musicians performing on stage with microphones and sheet music, under red lighting.
Musical performance on stage with a choir, musicians playing instruments, and an audience seated, capturing the event on phones.
A choir and musicians performing on stage with a bass guitarist, violinist, and percussionist playing under red stage lights.
Close-up of a musician playing a bass guitar on stage, with sheet music on a stand and a blurred background of performers and stage lighting.
Musical performance with choir and musicians playing string and percussion instruments on stage.
Person speaking at an event, red ambient lighting, audience seated, camera and equipment visible.
A choir group performing on stage with a percussionist in the foreground, holding a large frame drum. The choir members are holding sheet music and are illuminated by stage lighting. The background is a dark curtain.
People using smartphones at an event, wearing badges.
Musicians playing traditional Middle Eastern instruments on stage, including a drum and a string instrument, with microphones and a piano in the background.
Two musicians on stage, one playing a drum and the other playing a string instrument, with a piano in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage; one playing a goblet drum and the other playing a hammered dulcimer, with a piano in the background and microphones set up.
Close-up of hands playing a darbuka drum, black and white.
Black and white photo of hands playing a string instrument, close-up view of fingers on the strings.
Musicians perform on stage with instruments, including a tar and a tombak, in front of an audience. A screen displays event details during a music festival.
Black and white image of a person playing a traditional string instrument, possibly a lute or similar, with intricate tuning pegs and hand-carved details.
Black and white photo of a person playing an electric bass guitar.
Black and white photo of a person playing a trumpet with a drum set in the background.
Black and white photo of a live music performance in a theater with audience seated. Four musicians are on stage, playing instruments including a guitar and drums. A projector screen is displaying information above the performers.
Black and white photo of a drummer playing a drum set on stage with a microphone in the foreground.
Audience attending an indoor event with red ambient lighting, featuring seated people and a projector setup.
Black and white photo of a live music performance on stage in front of an audience, with a presentation screen displaying text.
Black and white photo of a band performing on stage with guitar, string instrument, drums, and single-reed woodwind.
Black and white photo of a four-member jazz band performing on stage. The musicians include a drummer, a trumpet player, and two guitarists. They are surrounded by microphones and the background features stage curtains.
A musical performance with multiple musicians on stage. A woman stands at the center, surrounded by individuals playing various instruments, including guitar, drums, and stringed instruments. The stage is lit with red spotlights against a dark curtai
Live band performing on stage with a singer and various musicians playing instruments, including guitar, cello, percussion, and oud, under red stage lighting.
Musical ensemble performing on stage with various instruments, including guitar and violin, and a female singer in a floral dress. Audience visible in foreground.
A musical performance with a female singer in a floral dress and three male musicians playing traditional instruments on stage with red lighting.
Musical ensemble performing on stage with various instruments including percussion, strings, and a vocalist in a green dress.
Silhouettes of people in a dimly lit room with red lighting and portrait posters on the walls.
Person painting on a large canvas under red stage lighting, creating abstract calligraphy or design.
Musical performance on stage with live painting, red lighting, musicians playing string instruments, and an artist working on a large canvas.
Black and white photo of four musicians on stage, one playing a keyboard and three playing string instruments, with stage lights above.
Two musicians on stage, one playing drums and the other playing a trumpet, with red lighting and a dark curtain background.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing an electric guitar and the other playing a traditional string instrument while singing, with red lighting and curtains in the background.

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