Whisper/Najva

Event Details

Saturday, February 8th, 2025 7:00 pm

Conrad Prebys Concert Hall

General Public: $25 | PCC and AIAP members: $20 | Free for UC San Diego students, staff and faculty
This event is sold out.

Ali Akbar Moradi

Ali Akbar Moradi, born in 1957 in Guran, a village near the historic city of Kermanshah, is one of the most distinguished masters of the Kurdish tanbur, a traditional stringed instrument with deep spiritual and cultural significance. He began learning the tanbur at the age of seven, displaying an extraordinary talent that quickly set him apart. Under the tutelage of legendary masters such as Sayyed Veli Husseyni, Sayyed Mirza Khafashyan, Sayyed Mahmoud Alevi, and Allahmouradi Hamedi, Moradi immersed himself in the intricate techniques and profound spirituality of the instrument. At just 14 years old, Moradi gave his first public recital in Kermanshah, a moment that marked the beginning of his journey as a professional musician. A year later, he took a significant step by founding the city’s first tanbur ensemble under the cultural department, paving the way for greater recognition of this ancient instrument in contemporary Iranian music.

Moradi’s international breakthrough came in 1981 through his collaboration with the renowned vocalist Shahram Nazeri. Together, they toured extensively across Europe, the United States, and Canada, introducing the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the tanbur to global audiences. By the age of 30, Moradi had mastered the complete repertoire of 72 maqams (modes) of Kurdish tanbur music, a feat that placed him in a league of his own. He is widely regarded as one of the few, if not the only, living artists with this unparalleled command of the tradition, a legacy he continues to preserve and transmit.

Over the years, Moradi has produced numerous recordings, including celebrated collaborations with world-class musicians such as Pejman Hadadi and Kayhan Kalhor. His performances have graced some of the most prestigious stages and festivals around the world, including the World Festival of Sacred Music in Los Angeles, the Hellenic Festival in Athens, and the Royal Festival Hall in London.

Beyond his performance career, Moradi is deeply committed to teaching, ensuring the transmission of tanbur knowledge to future generations. He currently teaches in both Tehran and Kermanshah, where he continues to inspire students and audiences alike with his dedication to preserving the sacred and cultural heritage of the tanbur. Through his artistry, Ali Akbar Moradi remains a vital bridge between the ancient Kurdish traditions and the modern global stage.

Pejman Hadadi

Pejman Hadadi, one of the most influential and prolific percussionists from Iran, is renowned for his work with the Dastan Ensemble and Zarbang, as well as his collaborations with prominent artists from Iran and beyond, including Hossein Alizadeh, Shahram Nazeri, Parissa, Kayhan Kalhor, Shujaat Khan, Ali Akbar Moradi and Ardeshir Kamkar. He began his study of the tombak, the central drum in traditional Persian music, under the guidance of master musicians Assadollah Hejazi and Bahman Rajabi. Later, he taught himself to play the daf, the sacred frame drum used in spiritual and musical traditions.

After immigrating to the United States in 1989, he launched his professional career in 1991, performing worldwide and recording with ensembles specializing in Persian classical music, as well as Indian, Turkish, and American musicians. In 1995, Hadadi joined the celebrated Dastan Ensemble, one of Iran’s leading classical music groups. In 2000, he co-founded Zarbang, the first Iranian percussion ensemble, with whom he created groundbreaking and critically acclaimed recordings. His innovative and distinct signature style has profoundly influenced tombak players of his own generation and those that followed.

Hadadi’s contributions extend beyond performance. He is a two-time recipient of the Durfee Foundation Master Musician Award, recognizing his efforts in propagating and disseminating Persian music in the United States. Currently, he is a lecturer in the Department of Ethnomusicology at UCLA, where he continues to inspire students and promote the rich traditions of Persian percussion.