ZÂ (Chicago)

Rooted in the intersection of birth, grief and transcendence, the program traces a powerful emotional and spiritual arc through Lorestani mourning rituals and whirling ceremonial practices. Through deeply expressive musical language the performance guides audiences from lamentation toward ecstasy and transformation.

Blending the mournful voice of the kamancheh, the hypnotic pulse of ceremonial percussion, and the melodic and harmonic depth of tar, the work offers an intimate yet powerful experience that reflects both ancient spiritual traditions and living cultural memory.

The concert will begin at 6:30 pm, but doors will open at 6pm.

Tickets are available on Eventbrite and by contacting Persian Chicago Events

312-437-IRAN(4726) or www.chicagopersianevents.com/

The program is 80 minutes long with no intermission.

Donations are tax deductible through our fiscal sponsor non profit.

For anyone who is interested in donating or sponsoring please contact Nariman Assadi by telephone at

(530) 574-4636 or by email at

[email protected]

ZÂ derives from the Persian word Zâyesh (زایش), meaning birth, coming into being, or the beginning of life. It represents the moment of emergence, the first breath, the awakening of consciousness, and the beginning of a human journey.

Inspired by the ceremonial traditions, poetry, and living heritage of Lorestan, ZÂ unfolds as a continuous musical narrative rather than a collection of individual pieces. Each chapter explores a defining moment in the human experience, revealing how music accompanies every stage of life, from birth and childhood to love, labor, celebration, loss, and ultimately the mysteries of destiny.

The journey begins with Zâ, a musical invocation of creation and new life, and continues through the tenderness of a mother’s lullaby, the innocence of forbidden love, the joy of wedding celebrations, the rhythms of daily work, the dignity of mourning, the ecstasy of communal dance, and finally the ancient ritual of Fal-e Chehel Servo, where poetry and music become a bridge between human intention and fate.

Drawing from centuries-old Lorestani musical traditions, the performance brings together voice, kamancheh, tar, and percussion to create an intimate and immersive experience, inviting audiences into a culture where every passage of life finds its expression through music.

With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, Mazdak (Moslem) Alipour is a visionary Kamancheh player, vocalist, and composer. Born into a musical lineage in Khorramabad, Iran, he began his journey under the tutelage of his father, the legendary maestro Faraj Alipour.

Global Recognition & AwardsMazdak is a celebrated artist on the global stage, earning prestigious recognition for his innovation in Persian music:

Global Music Awards:Multi-award winner, holding both Silver and Bronze Medals (2020 & 2021).

Silk Road Project: Featured soloist conducted by the Academy Award-winning Tan Dun.

UNESCO: Distinguished performer at “Mozart Day” in France.

UCLA Collaboration: Currently collaborating with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), contributing to its prestigious musical programs and showcasing his expertise through specialized performances and cultural initiatives.

Musical Vision & InnovationCurrently based in Los Angeles, Mazdak is renowned for his mastery of musical fusion, blending ancient Persian heritage with contemporary global genres. With over 20 albums and the publication of “Taal” (a seminal book on Lori music), he continues to influence the world music scene through film scoring, international tours, and advanced music education.

Born in Tehran / Iranian 1987

• Studied under Iranian classical and folkore music masters including Homayoun Khorram,

Ramin Rahimi, Ali-Akbar Moradi, Darioush Talaei, and Hamid Motebassem

• Visual Arts graduate from Maryland Institute College of Art

• Composer, multi instrumentalist and a multidisciplinary visual artist

• Founded P e z h a k Ensemble in 2008

. Band leader and cofounder of Sorvad Ensemble

• Worked and performed alongside notorious international Musicians an artists such as Shahram

Nazeri, Majid Derakhshani, Alireza Shahmohammadi, Pejman Hadadi, Pezhham Akhavass, Dawn

Avery, John Wubbenhorst, Larry Mitchel, Kazem Davoudian, Susan Deyhim and Mojgan Shajarian.

• Performs regularly at many prestigious venues in the United States including the Palace of

Fine Arts in San Francisco; Lincoln Center and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; Kennedy Center and Freer Shackler Gallery in Washington D.C.

Nariman is an Iranian musician. Raised in Tehran, he always felt drawn to percussion

instruments. At the age of thirteen, he began studying Tombak under Master Amir Mogharab

Samadi.

• From 2008 to 2013, Nariman performed at Vahdat Hall as a soloist and with the Persian

Percussion Ensemble at Pars Academy, the premier music academy for children. After mastering

Tombak, he then began learning Daf under the great Master Bijan Kamkar. With a strong

understanding of the Daf and Tombak, Nariman started learning Barbat (Oud) under Master

Mohammad Firouzi.

• In 2015, Nariman immigrated to the United States. He immediately began his professional

music career by performing and attending festivals.

• Along with being a member of various ensembles, Nariman is a certified-Orff teacher and

teaches Daf, Tombak, and Music for children.

• In 2022, he toured all over the United States with Afra Ensemble, led by Master Hossein

Behrouzina. Additionally, Nariman relaeasd his first album Larzanah, Improvisation of Iranian

Folk Music, with Master Faraj Alipour on vocals and Kamancheh.

- Currently, he teaches Iranian Music at Farsi Schools in Sacramento and the Bay Area. He also

teaches music at more than seven elemantary schools in Sacramento.

[email protected]