by Christian Castellanos | Mar 12, 2024
From the Pierce College website: “Houman Pourmehdi is a master percussionist, well known for his diverse abilities as a musician, composer and multi-instrumentalist, performing and recording in numerous ensembles and at a variety of venues. He was introduced to Persian music by his father, and received his first Tonbak at the age of three from his grandfather. He was privileged to study Tonbak under guidance of the late Grand Master Amir Nasser Eftetah. At sixteen, he continued his studies at the Center for Preservation and Propagation of National Music, where he completed the techniques of playing Tonbak under supervision of Master Morteza Ayan. His interest in the spiritual path of Sufis introduced him to the Ghaderi Sufi order’s virtuoso Daf players, such as Haj Agha Sadeghi, Mirza Agha Ghosi and Darvish Karim, with whom he studied the heart-to-heart traditional techniques of playing Daf.
Pourmehdi moved to Chicago in 1988, where he founded the Society for the Advancement and Preservation of Traditional Persian Music. It was here that he first fathomed the exciting possibilities of introducing the unique sounds of Persian instruments to American audiences. He also preserved the ancient Persian Percussive instrument called Kurekeh. The Society also facilitated his meeting the eminent Mohammad Ali Kianey-Nejad, who taught him the Ney (Persian Reed Pipe). Pourmehdi designed the tuneable Dayereh which is part of the cooperman’s Artist Innovation Series of instruments. Houman is both a recording artist and concert musician. He has appeared at many radio and TV interviews with live performance. He has performed widely throughout Europe, North America and North Africa. Pourmehdi composed music for a short educational film in 1999. His knowledge of traditional repertoire and intimacy with Sufi world are made to serve a very personal style of interpretation in his compositions. Along with several colleagues he founded The Lian Ensemble.”
This free concert will happen at the Performing Arts Building Thursday, March 14, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
by Brit-El Mabourakh | May 18, 2016 | CULTURE, FEATURED, MUSIC
Hamsafaran
Musician-journalist-professor power couple Hamsafaran join Hengame in the studio
The Farsi Show with Hengame Abassi is a show that focuses on the local Farsi-speaking community. Leila Mohammadi and Behnam Ziaie are a husband-and-wife team that make the band Hamsafaran. Hengame asks them all about their passions- from their music and professions, to their lives and love. Hamsafaran’s first album will be released this summer, featuring original songs inspired by poetry by Rumi, Shamlou, Akhvan-sales, Moshiri and Sheida Mohammadi. Aside from making music, Leila and Behnam have strong histories in other fields. Leila is a journalist and worked with Channel Four in London, BBC UK, 670 AM and Andisheh TV in Los Angeles. Behnam has taught and researched mathematics at various universities, including UCLA, CSUN, Pierce College and DeVry. Leila also has a degree in applied mathematics and informatics, so Hengame asks them also about the differences and similarities between math and music. From Persian classical music to the band’s insight on three mystical songs, exclusive for The Farsi Show.
by Hengame Abassi | Apr 13, 2016 | CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURED, MUSIC, Spring 2016
Omid Sayareh
Omid and Elham Sayareh join KPCRadio.com for live music & more.
The Farsi Show with Hengame Abassi is a show that focuses on the local Farsi-speaking community. On this episode, we feature musicians Omid and Elham Sayareh. Omid is a professor of music at the Tehran conservatory, and music counselor and department advisor for symphonic and orchestral music of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. His wife and singer, Elham, joins in for the podcast. Tune in for the beautiful music and much more.
by Hengame Abassi | Mar 23, 2016 | ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURED, Spring 2016
Faryar
Faryar joins the Farsi show for live music and commentary on his life.
Farsi show with Hengame Abassi is a show that focuses on the local Farsi speaking community. On this episode of the Farsi Show, Hengame Abassi interviews Feridoun “Faryar” Kharazi. Feridoun is a young, multi-talented Iranian singer-songwriter, voiceover artist, illustrator and painter. Feridoun speaks with Hengame about his experience in Iran and the United States as an artist. Feridoun plays a few songs for listeners of the Farsi Show throughout this episode, not to be missed.
Follow The Farsi Show on Facebook for updates and past episodes.
by Hengame Abassi | Mar 16, 2016 | ENTERTAINMENT, FEATURED, MUSIC, Spring 2016
Eshaghi Brothers
On the verge of Nowrouz, Hengame speaks with the Eshaghi brothers of Koobang Ensemble.
Farsi show with Hengame Abassi is a show that focuses on the local Farsi speaking community. On this episode of the Farsi Show, Hengame Abassi interviews composers Misaq and Matin Eshaghi of Koobang Ensemble. Misaq sings, plays kamancheh and the daf drum. Misaq studies Music Industry at CSUN, and teaches traditional Persian music instruments. Matin sings, and plays the taar, daf and tombak. Matin began learning the tombak at age three, and has continued making music ever since.
Koobang Ensemble will be performing at Pierce’s own Persian Club celebration of Nowrouz on March 21 in the Great Hall, which will go from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
You can find Koobang Ensemble on Facebook and Soundcloud. Follow Hengame on Facebook for updates on future guests and appearances.
