Past Concerts 2020

The collaboration between two world-class musicians from Iran who will bring their life time experience in music/art through their heart and friendship. Pezhham Akhavass and Navid Kandelousi will create moments and flow of traditional, folk and modern Persian music which have root in Radif (Collection of Iranian melodies in the modal system) and poetry (Based on circle rhythmic patterns).

https://pezhham.com

Pezhham Akhavass, is a world-class percussionist, and modern day virtuoso of Persian percussive instruments tombak and daf.

Born in 1980 in Iran, he began learning youth music theory and tombak at the age of 5. With the support of his father, Pezhham studied tombak with Naser Farhang Far, and Saeid Roudbary. He earned a bachelor's degree in Music from Sureh University of Tehran in 2005, a bachelor's degree in World Music from San Francisco State University (SFSU) in 2016, and the Master's degree in Music History at SFSU.

Pezhham worked professionally in his 20s with the renowned Persian vocalist Shahram Nazeri from 2000-2007. He has recorded and performed with many master world-class musicians such as, Hossein Alizadeh and Aliakbar Moradi as well as many great world musicians from different cultures, including world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Pezhham was the featured percussionist on the 2010 Masters of Persian Music tour of the United States. He had the honor of performing in some of the most prestigious venues and festivals. In addition to tombak and daf, he is knowledgeable about Persian instruments setar, tanbour and oud and has studied other percussion instruments including: Indian tabla with the guidance of Ostad Zakir Hussain. Today, Pezhham resides in San Francisco California where he teaches private lessons in tombak, daf and setar. He is working on different productions and projects, gives lectures and demonstrations in Persian music and performances.

Navid Kandelousi started the study of music on the violin at the age of six. He studied Western classical music in Italy (Verdi Conservatory) and Moscow. Since 1999 Navid has performed as a soloist in the Iranian National Orchestra. During this time he has been invited as international violinist in many symphonies around Europe (France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, London) He played most main violin repertoire like Paganini ,Beethoven , Sibelius ,Mozart, Tchaikovsky). He is a winner of several violin competitions and music awards in Iran. He has performed at numerous concerts as a member of the Gate Way Symphony in Carnegie Hall New York City as a First Violin and Played some Recitals. He has been performing with Maestro Yo-Yo Ma in Kennedy center and playing in Walt Disney concert Hall as well.

https://www.almadenschool.com/navid-743912.html