Album Notes

Reza Derakshani

Reza is a master of classical Persian music whose innovations continually weave the notes of the East with the West. He was born and raised in Iran before adopting the city of New York for two decades, taking the adventure to Europe, and eventually finding his way back home.

Reza has collaborated with world renowned artists such as John Densmore of The Doors, Branford Marsalis, Robert Bly, Bill T. Jones, David Darling, Steve Shehan , Dawn Avery and Mohammad Reza Lotfi. He has performed in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Morocco, the Republic of Georgia, and Tehran. Derakshani’s latest passion is composing music for films such as "Season of Madness" by Oscar nominee Katja Esson, "Two Bows," and "Koffar" by the acclaimed Persian film maker Bahman Kiarostami, and a video project by Chiara Clemente. He is also an accomplished painter and his work is regularly featured in galleries and private collections worldwide.


Katayoun Goudarzi

Katayoun makes her poetry reciting debut on Rooz o Shab. She is the author of Eshgh O Vahdat, and currently lives in New Jersey


"These beautiful recitations of the original Persian poems innovatively transpose the tradition of poetry and musical performance practiced by Mowlana Rumi, himself, into a fully modern mode. Thoughtfully chosen from the vast repertoire of Rumi’s ghazals, sensitively accompanied and exquisitely rendered by Katayoun’s voice, these performances make the musically meditative traditions of samā‛ fresh and alive for today’s listeners."
-Franklin Lewis, Author of "Rumi PAST AND PRESENT, EAST AND WEST"