Iranian musicians Parisa Karimi Molan and Amir Amiri share reports from Iran and the music that brought them out into the world

 

From a very early age, Parisa Karimi Molan dreamed of becoming a singer. Growing up in a musical family—her father was a singer and tar player—she was surrounded by melodies, even as she lived in Iran, where women are forbidden to sing publicly. Despite this, she studied music for nearly twenty years in secrecy with some of Iran’s most celebrated vocal masters, including Parissa and Pari Maleki, alongside many talented women who shared the same quiet determination.

Although the road was long and often uncertain, Parisa continued learning with the hope of preserving this rich musical heritage and one day sharing it freely. In 2017, she moved to Montréal, where she could finally pursue this lifelong dream openly. There, she co-founded Tehrani Drom and began creating music rooted in Persian, Azeri, and Roma traditions—turning a once-impossible dream into reality.

Amir Amiri is a santur player, composer, and cultural inventor. He dwells at the center of a unique musical universe where ancient inspiration, dazzling virtuosity, and bold creativity meet. Surrounding himself with outstanding collaborators from the worlds of jazz, classical and world music, Amiri fearlessly transcends genres and borders, exquisitely transporting his ancient instrument into the musical conversations of our time. Throughout his performances with a vast spectrum of ensembles, concerts and tours, Amiri’s down-to-earth and profound connection with audiences always enchants.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Amiri is a master of the santur, a 72-string instrument dating from approximately 500 BCE. Since first arriving at the Banff Centre from Iran in 1996, Amiri has forged deep relationships with musicians across Canada and the world. He has collaborated in a variety of ensembles with double bass player Jean Félix Mailloux, violist Richard Moody, and jazz pianist Jean-Michel Pilc. In his enthralling Amir Amiri Quartet, he is accompanied by violist Olivier Marin, percussionist Roméo Monteiro and cellist Myrtille Hetzel. The ground-breaking world music ensemble includes the presence of a Whirling Dervish, a dancer in the act of Sufi meditation. Amir Amiri was awarded the 2003 CBC Artist of the Year, and The Betty Mitchell Best Composition and Sound Design award.