Zâ Concert

Zâ is an immersive musical performance exploring the sacred and ceremonial traditions of Lorestan—one of the most culturally rich yet underrepresented regions of Iran.
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.

About the Artists:

Behfar Bahadoran

• 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.

Mazdak Alipour

• International Kamancheh Virtuoso & Award-Winning Composer 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 & Awards
  • Mazdak 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 & Innovation: Currently 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.

Nariman Assadi

• Nariman Assadi 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.