EY ZAN

ای زن

World Premiere

Thursday, April 25, 2024 - 11AM

Featuring

MALIHEH MORADI & MINA DERIS

Experience the extraordinary world premiere video release of "EY ZAN - ای زن (Hey Woman)", an awe-inspiring tribute to the strength and grace of women around the globe. This breathtaking collaboration features the captivating voices of Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris, who lend their remarkable talent to this powerful ode to womanhood. The original composition by Ehsan Matoori, with lyrics by Hossein Monzavi, creates a tapestry of sound and emotion that resonates with the deepest aspects of the human experience.

Directed by Sargol Eslamian, the video seamlessly melds stunning visuals with the evocative melodies of Matoori and co-arranger Ali Montazeri. Through a harmonious blend of traditional and contemporary elements, the music captures the spirit of resilience and beauty that defines women. The accompaniment of Aidin Ahmadinejad on cello, Niloofar Sohi on violin and viola, Daniele De Cario on bass, and Hamed Poursaee on guitar adds layers of depth and texture to this evocative piece.

"EY ZAN (Hey Woman)" is more than just a song; it's a celebration of the power, wisdom, and enduring legacy of women. As the lyrics and music weave together, you'll be transported into a world where each note honors the contributions and sacrifices of women throughout history and into the present day. The premiere video showcases this message with striking visuals that underscore the song's themes of empowerment, solidarity, and hope.

"I grew up in a family where my father deeply loved my mother. He always treated her with respect and love, ensuring that women in our family of four were highly regarded and respected. However, as I entered society around the age of 13, I became aware of the injustice towards women's rights in society. While our home was filled with love, the outside world was marked by inequality. Challenging and opposing the norms of Iranian society to women became one of my missions, and I sought to use my passion for music to amplify this cause. During a trip to Europe to visit my parents, a conversation about my album with my mother led her to ask, 'So, when will you compose a piece for me?' That moment inspired the creation of 'Hey Woman'."
~ Ehsan Matoori

Composed by Ehsan Matoori
Vocals: Maliheh Moradi and Mina Deris
Lyrics: Hossein Monzavi
Arrangement: Ehsan Matoori and Ali Montazeri
Director: Sargol Eslamian
Cello: Aidin Ahmadinejad
Violin, Viola: Niloofar Sohi
Bass: Daniele De Cario
Guitar: Hamed Poursaee
Mix and Mastered: Hamed Poursaee
Track Translation: Golkoo Hosseini
Puppeteers: Parastoo Ariakia, Hana Shakib, Vajehe Marghghazari

About Maliheh Moradi

Malileh

Trained by three of the most eminent Iranian vocalists, Mohammad-Reza Shajarian, Parisa, and Ali Asghar Shahzeidi, Maliheh Moradi has attracted attention as a rising star in Iranian classical music. Born to a musical family in 1984, Maliheh began playing tonbak at seven and started singing lessons with her father. She attended the Tehran Conservatory of Music, where she also learned setar.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Persian literature. Maliheh has received training in both vocal and instrumental music from renowned Iranian musicians, including Siamak Jahangiri, Hossein Alizadeh, Mozafar Shafiei, Hasan Pazouki, Mohammad Firouzi, Mohammad-Reza Ebrahimi, and Masoud Shoari.

Maliheh has sung in the Mowlavi Opera (along with Homayoun Shajarian), Singing in Shadow (accompanied by Siamak Jahangiri), and Atash Sabz (film score composed by Mohammad-Reza Darvishi). She has performed at international music festivals in Australia, Spain, Germany, and Poland.

Recently, Maliheh embarked on a new chapter in the United States to further her musical journey and is a prominent vocalist in the Voices Unveiled music project.

Her new album 'Our Sorrow,' composed by Ehsan Matoori, is set to be published by ARC Nexus World on April 14, 2024.

Follow Maliheh Moradi

About Mina Deris

Mina Deris

Born in 1981 amidst the Iran-Iraq war, she embarked on a lifelong musical journey that would shape her identity and touch the hearts of many. From an early age, Mina's exceptional singing talent captivated those around her, earning her recognition as the best singer among her peers.

At 15, Mina felt a magnetic pull toward the enchanting world of Arab music inspired by the legendary Umm Kulthum. Growing up in Abadan, Iran, her Arab heritage and mother tongue naturally drew her to the mesmerizing melodies of Arabic classical music, known as maqam. After university, Mina dedicated herself to studying Iranian classical music under the guidance of Master Hengameh Akhavan and Master Farhang Sharif.

As her reputation grew, Mina became a sought-after vocalist, collaborating with various Iranian pop, folk, and fusion bands. In 2014, she proudly graduated from the esteemed Music Conservatory of Tehran, a testament to her years of dedication and hard work.

Driven by curiosity and a desire to bridge musical traditions, Mina delved into the exploration of ancient Arab melodies from the southern regions. Her unique approach involved blending these timeless melodies with modern electronic styles, creating a captivating fusion that resonated strongly with the younger generation.

Mina's talent took her to stages worldwide, captivating audiences in Iran, Qatar, Turkey, Italy, Germany, France, and Iraq. In 2017, she expanded her creative horizons by venturing into acting, taking on the role of an actress and singer in a powerful play about homeless women.

Since 2016, Mina has served as the lead singer of the renowned Novak Ensemble, releasing single tracks and albums like "Agitation" and "Bidel," which showcased her artistic vision and musical depth.

With the winds of change blowing in her homeland, Mina made the difficult decision to seek a new chapter in the United States. At Boston University, she delivered a powerful concert recounting the story of four decades of oppression and pressure.

Today, Mina is honored to be part of the Unveiled Voices band alongside composer Ehsan Matoori and singer Maliheh Moradi. Together, they continue to enchant audiences with heartfelt music, transcending cultural boundaries and connecting souls through the power of melody.

Mina Deris's life journey has been passionate, resilient, and an unwavering pursuit of artistic expression. Through her music, she hopes to touch the hearts of many and leave a lasting legacy that celebrates diversity and the unifying language of music.

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About Ehsan Matoori

Ehsan Matoori

Ehsan Matoori is an Iranian Santoor player, Composer and Music Producer.

Born in 1979 in Iran, Ehsan Matoori began learning Santoor (Iranian-dulcimer) based on Maestro Faramarz Payvar’s method at age 9.

He studied instrumental and vocal Radif (Iranian musical repertory) with Parviz Meshkatian and Pashang Kamkar, and later started teaching Santoor.

Ehsan took lessons from Ardavan Kamkar, one of the greatest contemporary Santoor players of Iran, known for his distinct playing style and tuning techniques. In addition to playing Santoor, Ehsan has studied music composition and harmony with Farhad Fakhroaldini and children’s music with Soudabeh Salem.

After moving to the United States in 2013, Ehsan performed with world music masters such as Sandeep Das (tabla), Jamal Mohamed (percussionist), Paul Sriji (mridangam), Maeve Gilchrist (jazz harp), Matthew Coley (marimba), Mike Block (cello), Bassam Saba (oud), Sybarite5 (string quintet) and Greg Ellis (percussionist). He has also been a member of SMU world music ensemble since 2013 and a member of the Silk Road Global Musicians Workshop as a faculty assistant and performer since 2016.

His first album “Phantasm” in collaboration with Mohsen Namjoo was published in 2019 and streamed more than 4,000,000 times and downloaded on all digital platforms. His love of learning about cultures and feeling their melodies, has inspired his musical compositions which represent these cultures and bring new words to the world. Exploring diverse musical and poetic traditions around the world, Matoori has recently been working on a multilingual project called “The Voices and Bridges” which was announced by the BBC world, BBC Persian and the Silk Road Project in July 2019 and July 2020.

Ehsan believes that his music “should bring happiness to people and bring people together.”