Official name	Tabriz
Other name	Ancient names: Davrezh, Tavrezh, Tavrez
Settlement type
Image seal	Tabriz Logo.jpg
Seal size	80px
Dot x	|dot_y =
Pushpin map	Iran
Pushpin label position	bottom
Coordinates display	inline,title
Coordinates region	IR
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Iran
Subdivision type1	Province
Subdivision name1	East Azerbaijan Province
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Tabriz County
Subdivision type3	District
Subdivision name3	Tabriz Central district
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Alireza Novin
Established title	Established date
Established date	N/A
Unit pref
Area total km2	324
Area urban km2	2356
Population as of	2006
Population total	1,398,060
Population blank1 title	Population Rank in Iran
Population blank1	4th
Population blank2 title	Demonym
Population blank2	Tabrizian, Tabrizli, Tabrizi
Timezone	IRST
Utc offset	+3:30
Timezone dst	IRDT
Utc offset dst	+4:30
Elevation footnotes
Elevation m	1351.4
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	51368
Area code	0411
Website	Tabriz municipality

Tabriz (Azerbaijani/Persian تبریز) is the most populated city in Iranian Azerbaijan, it is the fourth largest city and one of the historical capitals of Iran and the capital of East Azerbaijan Province. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 meters at the junction of the Quri River and Aji River, it was the second largest city in Iran until the late 1960s, one of its former capitals, and residence of the crown prince under the Qajar dynasty. The city has proven extremely influential in the country’s recent history. Tabriz is located in a valley to the north of the long ridge of the volcanic cone of Sahand, south of the Eynali mountain. The valley opens out into a plain that slopes gently down to the northern end of Lake Urmia, 60 km to the west. With cold winters and temperate summers the city is considered a summer resort.

The estimated population of the city is around 1,400,000 based on results of the Iranian census bureau. Tabriz is the fourth most populated city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad, and Esfahan, while also being a major Iranian heavy industrial and manufacturing center. Some of these industries include automobile, machine tools, oil and petrochemical and cement production.

With a rich history, Tabriz contains many historical monuments, repeated devastating earthquakes and being several invasion during frequent wars have substantially damaged many of them. Many monuments in the city are date back to the Ilkhanid, Safavid, and Qajar periods, with the large Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex being named as a World Heritage Site in 2010. Beside whole of this there is an excavation site and museum in city center with a history that date back to 2500 years.

History

Early accounts

The early history of Tabriz is not yet known very well. Some archeologist suggested that Garden of Eden must have been located in Tabriz. Mentioned for the first time in Assyrian King Sargon II's epigraph in 714 B.C., Tabriz was the capital of several rulers starting with Atropates and his dynasty.

A recent excavation at site of the Iron Age museum in the northeastern part of the Blue Mosque connected the history of civilization in the city to the first millennium B.C. It is more likely that the city was destroyed several times either by natural disasters or or invaders.

The Cambridge History of Iran claims that current Tabriz was founded at the time of the early Sassanids in the 3rd or 4th century AD or, more probably, in the 7th century.

From the Muslim conquest to Qajars

is built during Kara Koyunlu dynasty.]]

After the conquest of Iran by Muslims, the Arabic Azd tribe from Yemen resided in Tabriz and development of post-Islamic Tabriz began as of this time. The Islamic geographer Yaqut says that Tabriz was a village before Rawwad from the tribe of Azd arrive at Tabriz. In 791 AD, Zubaidah, the wife of Abbasid caliph Harun al-Rashid, rebuilt Tabriz after a devastating earthquake and beautified the city so much as to obtain the credit for having been its founder.

After the Mongol invasion, Tabriz came to eclipse Maragheh as the later Ilkhanid capital of Azerbaijan until it was sacked by Timur in 1392. Chosen as a capital by Abaqa Khan, fourth ruler of the Ilkhanate, for its favored location in the northwestern grasslands, in 1295, his successor Ghazan Khan made it the chief administrative center of an empire stretching from Egypt to the Oxus River and from the Caucasus to the Indian Ocean. Under his rule new walls were built around the city, and numerous public buildings, educational facilities, and caravansarais were erected to serve traders traveling on the ancient Silk Road. The Byzantine Gregory Choniades is said to have served as the city's Orthodox bishop during this time. Marco Polo who traveled though the silk road passed Tabriz about 1275 describe it as:

::"...a great city surrounded by beautiful and pleasant gardens. It is excellently situated so the goods bring to here from many regions. Latin merchants specially Genevis go there to buy the goods that come from foreign lands..."

During the Middle Ages, a Jewish community existed in the town. In the 16th century a Jewish Yemenite traveler to the town described the deteriorating conditions of Jewish life there. From 1375 to 1468, Tabriz was the capital of Kara Koyunlu state in Azerbaijan, and from 1469 to 1501 the capital of Ak Koyunlu state. Some of the existing historical monuments including Blue Mosque are belonged to Kara Koyunlu period.

In 1501, Shah Ismail I entered Tabriz and proclaimed it the capital of his Safavid state. In 1514, after the Battle of Chaldiran, Tabriz was temporarily occupied by the Ottomans, but remained the capital of Safavid Iranian empire until 1548, when Shah Tahmasp I transferred it to Qazvin.

Between 1585 and 1603, Tabriz was occupied by the Ottomans but was then returned to the Safavids after which it grew as a major commercial center, conducting trade with the Ottoman Empire, Russia, central Asia, and India. In 1724-1725 the city was again occupied by the Ottomans, and two hundred thousand of its inhabitants were massacared. The city was retaken later by the Iranian army. In 1780, a devastating earthquake near the city killed over 200,000 which is regarded as 25th most deadly disaster of all times. Between 1790 and 1797, Jews in Tabriz were accused of a blood libel and massacred.

Contemporary age

Thanks to the vicinity to the west and to the communications with nearby countries' enlightenment movements, Tabriz became center of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution. This made Tabriz a major pole for Iranian Constitutional Revolutionary movements between 1905 and 1911, which led to the establishment of a parliament in Iran. Sattar Khan and Bagher Khan two Tabrizi reformists whose led Tabriz people's solidarity had a great role in achievement of this revolution. After World War II, the Soviets set up the communist Azerbaijan People's Government in north-west Iran with its capital at Tabriz. The new communist government, under the leadership of Ja'far Pishevari, held power for a year from 1946, after which Tabriz returned to Iran after the forced Soviet withdrawal. 's stucco.]]

Capital of Iran

Tabriz served as capital of several rulers starting with Atropates. It was capital of Ilkhanate dynasty since 1265, but it was during Ghazan Khan who came to power on 1295 the city reached to its highest splendour. The later realm stretched from Amu Darya in the East to the Egypt borders in the West and from the Caucasus in the North to the Indian ocean in the South. It was again capital of Iran during Kara Koyunlu dynasty from 1375 until 1468, then during Ak Koyunlu within 1468-1501. Finally, it was capital of the Iranian Empire within the Safavid period from 1501 until their defeat in 1514.

During the Qajar dynasty, Tabriz was residence of Iranian Crown Prince (1794–1925).

Excavation sites

In 2002, during a construction project at north side of the Blue Mosque (Part of Silk Road Project), an ancient graveyard was revealed. This was kept secret until a construction worker alerted the authorities. Radiocarbon analysis by Allameh Tabatabi University has shown the background of the graves to be more than 3800 years old. A museum of these excavations including the Blue Mosque was opened to public in 2006.

There is another excavation in Abbasi Street at site of Rab'-e Rashidi. This academic institution is dated back to more than 700 years ago and was established in Ilkhanid period.

Geography

Topography

Tabriz is located in northwest of Iran in East Azerbaijan province between Eynali and Sahand mountains in a fertile area in shore of Aji River and Ghuri River. The local area is earthquake-prone and during its history, the city has been devastated and rebuilt several times.

Climate

Tabriz has a semi-arid climate climate with regular seasons (Köppen BSk). The annual precipitation is around , a good deal of which falls as snow during the winter months and rain in spring and autumn. The city enjoys mild and fine climate in spring, dry and semi-hot in summer, humid and rainy in autumn and snowy cold in winter. The average annual temperature is 13^oC. Cool winds blow from east to west mostly in summer. |date=August 2010 }}

Air pollution

Due to appearance of modern industries especially chemical industries in west of the city, air pollution level increases continuously since second half of twentieth century. However according to the efforts by industries and new limiting environmental national code the level of industrial pollution decreased,yet still the reports are illustrating main reasons for air pollution as: vehicles and major factories like oil refineries, chemical and petrochemical factories. According to research, 558,167 tons of pollutants are produced everyday in Tabriz.

Governance

City authority lies with the mayor, who is elected by a municipal board. The municipal board is periodically elected by the city residents. Municipality of Tabriz is used as the Municipal central office.

Districts

The city is divided into 10 municipal districts each of them includes couple of old neighborhoods of city. Following shows a list of old districts of the city.

Ahrab (اهراب)

Akhmaqaya (آخماقيه)

َAmiraqiz (اميراقيز)

Bahar (باهار)

Baghmasha (باغ‌مئشه)

Baghshoumal (باغ‌شومال)

Baron Avak (Barnava) (بارناوا، بارون‌آواك)

Bazaar (بازار)

Beylanki (Beylankooh)(بيلانكي)

Charandab (چرنداب)

Chousdouzan (چوس‌دوزان)

Davachi (Shotorban) (ده‌وه‌چي)

Gadjil (گجيل)

Gazran (Re. Khayyam) (گزران)

Imamieh (اماميه)

Hokmavar (حكم‌آوار)

Kouchebagh (كوچه‌باغ)

Khatib (hatib) (خطيب، حطيب)

Khayyam (خيام)

Khiyavan (خياوان)

Laklar (لك‌لر)

Lalah (لاله)

Manzariya (منظريه)

Maghsoudia (مقصوديه)

Maralan (مارالان)

Nobar (نوبر)

Qara-aghach (قره‌آغاج)

Qaramalik (قره‌مليك)

Rastakucha (راستاكوچه)

Sarlak (سرلك)

Selab (سئلاب)

Shamghazan (شام‌غازان)

Shah-goli (شاه‌گؤلي، شاه‌گؤلو)

Sheshghelan (ششگلان)

Sirkhab (سيرخاب)

Tapalibagh (تپلي‌باغ)

Vardjibashi (Vidjooya) (ورجي‌باشي، ويجويه)

Demographics

According to official census of 2006, the population of Tabriz is about 1,400,000. The majority of the city's population are Iranian Azeris. Persians, Armenians and Assyrians form sizable minorities.

Language

Today, the predominant language spoken in Tabriz is Azerbaijani Turkic, which belongs to the Turkic languages family. Azeri is a member of Oghuz branch of Turkic language, and it is closely related to Turkish and Turkmeni. The modern Azeri language is evolved from the Eastern Oghuz dialect of Western (Oghuz) Turkic, which spread to Southwestern Asia during medieval Turkic migrations and was heavily influenced by Persian and Arabic. Classical literature in Azeri was formed in 14th century, based on the Tabrizi and Shirvani dialects, which were used by classical Azeri poets and writers such as Nasimi, Fuzuli and Khatai. Most inhabitants also speak the Persian language, which is the official language of Iran and the sole language of education.. The 13th century manuscript Safina-yi Tabriz has poems in what its Tabriz-born author has called the Tabrizi language (Zaban-e-Tabrizi). Samples of the Tabrizi dialect of the wider Old Azari language include quatrains recorded in Tabrizi dialect by Abd al-Qadir Maraghi, phrases from Baba Faraji Tabrizi and poems in Tabrizi in the Safina-yi Tabriz, and poetry from Homam Tabrizi, Mama Esmat Tabrizi, Maghrebi Tabrizi and others. Before the Safavid revolution, Tabriz was predominantly a Shafi'ite and Sunni city.

Religion

The majority of people are followers of Shia Islam. Some Assyrians live in Tabriz and have their own churches and organizations. There used to be a small Jewish community, but most of them have moved to Tehran. Ashighs are traveling bards, who sing and play the saz or qopuz, a form of lute. Their songs are partly improvised around a common base.

Painting

One of the Iranian painting styles is called "Tabrizian style" which has been shaped in the era of Ilkhanids, Kara Koyunlu and the Safavids.

Cuisine

Some traditional Tabriz dishes are:

Ash is a kind of soup which are prepared with bouillon, various vegetables, carrot, noodle and spices.

Chelow Kabab is the national dish of Iran, prepared with Kebab and roasted tomatoes (and roasted hot peppers occasionally) on a plate of steamed rice. Tabriz is famous for its Chelow Kabab in Iran.

Dolma is a traditional delicious Azerbaijani food. It is prepared with eggplant, capsicum, tomato or zucchini filled with a mixture of meat, split pea, onion and various spices.

Garniyarikh (meaning "the torn abdomen" in Azeri) is a kind of Dolma filled with meat, garlic, almonds and spices.

Kofta (Koufteh) Tabrizi is a special recipe from Tabriz with the appearance of big meatballs, which are prepared with a mixture of ground meat, rice, leeks and some other ingredients. The word kofta is derived from Persian kūfta: in Persian, kuftan (کوفتن) means "to beat" or "to grind".

There are also confections, biscuits and cookies, some of which are Tabriz specialities including Ghorabiye, Eris, Nugha, Tasbihi, Latifeh, Ahari, Lovadieh, Lokum and others.

Main sights

.]] .]]

Tabriz was devastated by several earthquakes during history (e.g., in 858, 1041, and 1721) and as a result, from numerous monuments only few of them or part of them have survived until now. Moreover, some of the historical monuments have been destroyed fully or partially within construction projects (e.g. Ark of Tabriz is in hazard of destruction now, because of ongoing construction project of "Mosal'laye Emam" close to it). Nonetheless, there are still numerous monuments remaining until now, which include: which is a general trade fair and established on 1992 and normally holds on August 4–9 every year.

Schools and libraries

Universities

Tabriz is the site for 14 of Iran's most prominent universities, the main university of the city is University of Tabriz established in 1947. University of Tabriz is the most prestigious university in north-western Iran and it is considered one of five mother universities in the country. There are couple of other public universities, operating primarily in the city: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz Arts University, Payam-e Noor University of Tabriz, and Azarbaijan University of Tarbiat Moallem.

Beside public universities few private universities are serving student in the city including: Islamic Azad University of Tabriz, Daneshvaran Higher Education Institute, Seraj Higher Education Institute, University College of Nabi Akram, Khajeh Rashid university.

There are few technical colleges, which serve the students as well: Elmi-Karbordi University of Tabriz, Tabriz College of Technology, Roshdiyeh Higher Education Institute of Tabriz, Jahad Daneshgahi (ACECR) Higher Education Institute, East Azerbaijan Branch, Azzahra College of Technology, State Organization of Technical and Vocational Training

There are a couple of research centers supported by Iranian government in the city including: East Azerbaijan Park of Science & Technology, Islamic Azad University - Science and Research branch of East Azerbaijan.

Furthermore, a couple of Iranian universities have branches in Tabriz, including: Imam Hossein University, Shahid Beheshti Training Teacher Center of Tabriz

Famous high schools

Hundreds of public and private schools are serving students based on Iranian education system. Students are starting with primary school which is for five years, then three years in secondary and finally they are pursuing for three more years in high school. For those who are about entering to the university they have to fulfill one more year in college. Despite the common language in city is Azerbaijani, the entirety of the educational period in schools is in Persian. Some of the high schools are famous because of their history or higher educational quality. Here is a list of most famous high schools in the city:

Memorial school (American School of Tabriz) was opened on 1891 and is one of the most famous schools of its type. After World War II, the school's name was changed to Parvin High School, under Iran education ministry's management. Currently, it is divided into three separate high schools, and the original building is under reconstruction. Howard Baskerville used to teach in Memorial school.

Roshdieh school is the first modern Iranian school, which was established by Haji-Mirza Hassan Roshdieh. Currently, its building is used as the Tabriz branch of the National Iranian Documents and Library Office.

Vahdat Technical College is another famous school in Tabriz. It was developed by the Germans during World War II. The main building is in the shape of an 'A'.

Ferdowsi high school is one of the largest and most prominent academic high schools in Tabriz. The original building was constructed by German engineers before World War II (to serve as hospital). The building is in the shape of a letter 'H'.

Mansoor High School (now divided into two high schools with new names) is one of the most highest-ranking schools in Tabriz, which was established about 50 years ago. One of the high schools is known as Taleqani and the other as Motahhari.

Tiz'houshan School (Shahid Madani and Farzanegan) (SAMPAD/NODET) middle and high schools were established in 1989 for high I.Q. talented students. Students camn attend in Tiz'houshan after successfully passing the entrance exam.

Religious schools

Valiasr Religious School and Talebieh Islamic Science School are two major religious schools in the city which are used for teaching Islamic Science.

Libraries

Tabriz National Library, also known as Central Library of Tabriz, is the most prestigious library in Tabriz, and its numerous unique handwriting old books made it a vulnerable source for researchers in Iranian literature. There are other libraries behind National library which are serving to public some of which are: Tarbiat library, library of Helal Ahmar, library of Shahid Motahhari, library of Shahriyar, library of Jafarieh and Farhangsara of Tabriz.

Infrastructure

Health systems

The government of Iran operates the public hospitals in the Tabriz metropolitan region, some of which are aligned with medical faculties. There are also a number of private hospitals and medical centers in the city.

Tabriz is linked to Europe through Turkey's roads and Bazargan (Azerbaijani, Persian: بازرگان ) border, also Tehran-Tabriz freeway is almost complete except for the last 20 km between Tabriz and Bostan Abad.

The city is linked to Iran National Railways (IRIR, Persian: رجا ) also to Europe by Turkey's railways via Ghotour (Azerbaijani, Persian قطور) bridge in West Azerbaijan province of Iran. Tabriz was the first city in Iran to be served by railways with the construction of the Tabriz-Jolfa line in 1912-1914 (later converted to broad-gauge in 1916). Tabriz Railway Station is located in the western part of the city, at the end of Khomeyni Street.

Tabriz International Airport opened in 1950 and is the only international airport in East Azerbaijan (since 1991). Recently, it became the first Iranian airport to gain ISO9001-2000.

Sport

Sport is an important part of Tabriz's culture. The most popular sport in Tabriz is soccer. Tabriz is home to four Iranian major Football teams: Tractor Sazi F.C., Machine Sazi Tabriz F.C., Shahrdari Tabriz F.C., Petrochimi Tabriz F.C.

Tabriz also has two stadiums for Football: Bagh Shomal Stadium, with capacity of 20,000 and Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium with 71,000.

Tractor Sazi F.C. or Tirakhtorsazi, as it called in the city, is an Iranian soccer club, based in Tabriz. They are playing in Iran's Pro League. The team was sponsored by Iran Tractor Manufacturing Co. (ITMCO). The club used to have a significant presence in the old Azadegan League (current IPL), but has been playing in Iran's second-highest league since relegation in the 2001-02 season. They also provided Iran with some of the most talented players during the nineties. In 2009, Trakhtorsazi, the well-known team of Azerbaijan province, improved to the first class league of Iran and has got the most enthusiased fans in Iran's league, according to surveys.

Behind soccer they are few other sport events holds in Tabriz. The major one is Azerbaijan Cycling Tour. Azerbaijan Cyclibng Tour is a professional cycling tour held annually in part of Iranian Azerbaijan and Republic of Azerbaijan. Tabriz also has an UCI Continental cycling team that is competing in UCI-sanctioned competitions through Asian continents. The team is: Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team

The city has several swimming pools that are parts of sport complexes, both public and private: Takhti swimming pool, Tabriz Petrochemical Company's sports complex, Bargh swimming pool, Sahand swimming pool, Bagh Shomal swimming pool, Kargaran sports complex, Hotel Elgoli swimming pool, Hotel Shahryar swimming pool, Azarsatrup sports complex, Sauna Tabriz, Azaran sauna & pool, Zamzam swimming pool, Aseman residential complex swimming pool.

The city has one government-controlled radio channel broadcasting in both Persian and Azerbaijani languages. Fajr Azarbaijan, Saeb Tabriz, Peyam Noor, Navaye Misho and Saheb.

Notable people

Within its long history Tabriz was always origin for many Iranian illumination and modernization movements. This is why the city was home town for numerous Iranian dominant figures including many Iranian politicians, revolutionaries, artists, and military leaders. Here a partial list of some of most notable people who born or lived in Tabriz.

For a complete list see: List of people from Tabriz

Artists

Ahad Hoseini: Sculptor and painter

Qolam Hossein Bigjeh-Khani: Musician & Tar player

Tahmineh Milani: Film director, screenwriter and producer

Jamileh Sheykhi: Theatre and film actress

Kamal Tabrizi: Movie producer

Monir Vakili Nikjoo: Opera singer

Ali Salimi: Musician

Military figures

Colonel Pesian: Military leader

Feridoun Jam: Marshal and head of Iran Imperial Army Core

Religious figures

Seghatoleslam: Cleric

Mohammad Kazem Shariatmadari: Grand Ayatollah

Allameh Tabatabaei: One of the most prominent thinkers of contemporary Shia Islam

Poets and writers

Shams Tabrizi: Sufi, Spiritual instructor of Rumi

Samad Behrangi: Writer, Social critic

Gholam-Hossein Sa'edi: Writer

Reza Baraheni: Poet, Writer

Ahmad KasraviTabrizi: Writer, Historian

Shahriar: Poet

Parvin E'tesami: Poet

Homam-e Tabrizi: Poet

Qatran Tabrizi: Poet

Abu'l Majd Tabrizi: Compiler of Safina-yi Tabriz, writer

Yadollah Maftun Amini: Poet

Saeb-e Tabrizi :poet

Samad Sardari nia: Writer,Historian

Jamshid Alizadeh:Writer,poet,Teacher & Researcher of Literature

Nayyer-e Tabrizi:Poet,Hojjat-ol-islam

Politicians and reformists

Bagher Khan: Nationalist revolutionary leader

Hasan Taqizadeh: politician

Mohammad Khiabani: Cleric, political leader

Mohammad Shah Qajar: Shah of Persia of the Qajar dynasty

Naser al-Din Shah Qajar: Shah of Persia of the Qajar dynasty

Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar: King of Iran

Ahmad Shah Qajar: King of Iran

Farah Pahlavi: The last queen consort of Iran

Sattar Khan: Revolutionary leader

Abd al-Rahim Talebof Tabrizi: Liberal intellectual and constitution pioneer

Hossein Kazemzadeh (Iranshahr): Liberal intellectual and constitution pioneer

Khalil Maleki: Political figure, socialist and intellectual

Scientists

Mohsen Hashtroodi: Mathematician

Javad Tabatabaei: Political philosopher, historian, distinguished university professor

Mousa Ghaninejad: Liberal Economist

Vartan Gregorian: President of Brown University, 1898-1997.

Sister cities and twin towns

Tabriz is twinned with the following cities: Baku, Azerbaijan Gaza, Palestine Istanbul, Turkey Izmir, Turkey Khujand, Tajikistan Kazan, Russia Konya, Turkey Vienna, Austria Wuhan, China Erzerum, Turkey

Consulates

Azerbaijan and Turkey have consulate offices in Tabriz. Also the formerly Soviet Union and United States had consulate offices in Tabriz. US consulate office is closed after Islamic revolution on 1979 and USSR's office is closed after collapse of USSR on 1991.

Photo gallery

See also

Tabriz Bazaar

References

North, S.J.R., Guide to Biblical Iran, Rome 1956, p. 50

External links

Tabriz Municipality website

Tabriz Tv

Category:Cities in Iran * Category:East Azarbaijan Province Category:Iranian provincial capitals Category:Populated places in East Azarbaijan Province Category:Pre-Islamic heritage of Iran Category:Populated places along the Silk Road Category:Iranian architecture Category:Archaeological sites in Iran Category:Former capitals of Iran

Name	Shahram Nazeri
Background	solo_singer
Origin	Kermanshah, Iran
Instrument	Setar
Genre	Classical Kurdish &Persian Music
Occupation	Singer, Composer
Years active	1958–present
Influences	Abdollah Davami, Nourali Boroumand, Abdol Ali Vaziri and Mahmoud Karimi

Shahram Nazeri (Persian: شهرام ناظرى) is a contemporary Iranian Kurdish tenor who sings classical Persian music from Kermanshah. He is one of Iran's most respected vocalists. He has been accompanied by some of the authorities of Persian traditional music such as Jalil Shahnaz, Alizadeh, Jalal Zolfonoun, Payvar.

Biography

Shahram Nazeri is a prominent icon of Kurdish Yarsani & Persian classical sufi musics.

He was the first vocalist to set Rumi's poetry to Persian music thirty-five years ago, thus establishing a tradition of Sufi music within both Persian classical music and his music was instrumental in introducing Western musical audiences to both Sufism and to the poetry of Rumi. The New York Times has dubbed him the Persian Nightingale and the Christian Science Monitor has called him Iran's Pavarotti.

Nazeri has released over forty recordings to date. His Gol-e Sadbarg (The One-hundred-petalled Rose) is among the best-selling albums of Persian classical music and Sufi music in the history.

His musical talents were first nurtured by his mother at a very young age. Throughout his childhood, he was under the tutelage of the most renowned masters of Persian music including Abdollah Davami, Nourali Boroumand, and Mahmood Karimi.

At eleven, he performed on television for the first time. By twenty-nine, he had gained a loyal fan base. He has continued to perform in Iran and abroad.

He has performed at major venues worldwide, including The Festival of Aix-en-Provence, The festival of Avignon, Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, The Tokyo Summer festival, The Kodak Theatre (Oscar ceremony) in Los Angeles, the Royal Albert Hall, the Festa del Popolo in Italy, The Beiteddine Festival in Lebanon, the Kölner Philharmonie in Germany, Asia Society, World Music Institute and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) in New York, the Roma Europa Festival in Rome, São Paulo Music Festival in Brazil and Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in Morocco and many others.

From early on, Nazeri was a pioneer in singing and composing music to the poetry of the greatest Persian poet and mystic, Mawlana Jalal ad-Din Rumi, Iran's most cherished poet. Nazeri was also pioneering in assimilating contemporary Persian poetry into the classical repertoire. His progressive approach to music has led to collaborative new projects with his son, Composer and singer Hafez Nazeri. In year 2000 they performed Hafez's new composition in Iran which has hold the record for the most highly attended concert 140.000 in entire Middle East.

In year 05/06 Master Nazeri along with his son's new Rumi ensemble launched In the Path of Rumi, a highly successful North American tour which performed record-breaking sold-out concerts to rave reviews. The venues included Los Angeles' Kodak theater (12/11/05), - the most highly attended Persian classical music concert outside of Iran. His international appeal led to several invitations to speak at various media outlets, including radio stations such as NPR in the United States, BBC, a live appearance on the Fox News Channel (3/10/06), and an exclusive on ABC NEWS, following a recent New York performance.

On September 28, 2007 he was presented France's most prestigious award the "Chevalier des Arts et Lettres" Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, List of members of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres for his lifetime achievements in Persian Classical music.

Nazeri's performances have garnered critical acclaim worldwide and won him awards at music festivals around the world. In 1975, he won First Prize at the Concours de Musique Traditionelle, the first competition to showcase Iran's great performers.

More recently, the Ministry of Culture in Iran named him the Best Singer of Classical Persian and Sufi Music. UCLA has honored Shahram Nazeri with the Living Legend Award. The United Nations has honored Nazeri with a recognition award for his legendary contribution to the revival of Iranian Classical Music. The Irvine City Hall Award of Distinction in Persian music was given to Shahram Nazeri for his contributions in spreading Rumi's spiritual message of peace through the language of music.

February 25, 2006 was named "SHAHRAM NAZERI DAY" in San Diego County by the Mayor and the Chairman of San Diego's Board of Supervisors. Soon after this date Shahram Nazeri also received a recognition award from the Congress of the United States and was invited to perform and lecture at Stanford University, Columbia University, University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles UCLA, Emory University in Atlanta and Harvard University, where he was recognized for his pioneering efforts in introducing Rumi to the West as well as for his innovations in Persian music.

He specializes in the rich tradition of Sufi music, which turns to song the mystical poetry of Rumi, Hafez, Attar, and others. Nazeri is known particularly for several decades of works on Rumi poetry. He is also working on the composition and arrangement of a symphony on Firdowsi's masterpiece Shahnameh. Nazeri is Called "the Iranian nightingale" and usually holds deeply soulful performances. He is also referred to as "the Pavarotti of Iran".

Nazeri’s name has also been included in the list of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World, issued by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center in Amman, Jordan.

He studied Vocal techniques with distinguished Persian classical masters of vocal such as:

Abdollah Davami

Abdol Ali Vaziri

Nourali Boroumand

Mahmoud Karimi

Besides, has studied playing Setar with Persian masters of Setar such as:

Ahmad Ebadi

Bigjeh-Khani

Jalal Zolfonoun

Works

Some of his most popular albums are:

The Passion of Rumi 2008 (Live recording from Tehran, 2001), composed by Shahram Nazeri, arranged by Hafez Nazeri

The Book of Austerity 2007, with Farrokhzad Layegh

Mythical Chant 2002, also called Naghme-haye Sassani (Songs from Sassanid era), with Bashipour and Hafez Nazeri

Loulian 2001, with Dastan ensemble, composed by Shahram Nazeri and Hamid Motebassem

Shahram Nazeri & the Dastan Ensemble, 2001, Live in France, arranged by Kayhan Kalhor

Safar be Digar Sou 1998, Live in Washington, D.C., (Through Eternity), composed by Shahram Nazeri, arranged by Dastan ensemble

98's Concert 1998, Live in Shiraz on Hafez’ Anniversary, with Kamkars and Hafez Nazeri

Nowruz 1990, Live in Cologne, Germany, performed by Aref and Shayda Ensemble, composed by Hossein Alizadeh plus some Persian folk songs

Les Maitres de la Musique Traditionnelle: Nazeri & Tala’i 1980s, Live at the Théâtre de la Ville

Gol-e Sadbarg 1984, (One hundred-petalled flower), composed by Jalal Zolfonoun, Shahram Nazeri & Reza Ghassemi

Atashi Dar Neyestan 1980s, (A Fire in the Reed-Bed), composed by Jalal Zolfonoun & Shahram Nazeri

Layli & Majnoun 1990, (the Beloved and the Lover), with masters of Persian music composed by Faramarz Payvar

Concert of the Masters of Persian Music 1989, Faramarz Payvar, Ali-Asghar Bahari, Jalil Shahnaz, Mohammad Mousavi and Mohammad Esmaili

Del-e Shayda 1990s, (Enchanted Heart), performed by masters of Persian music, composed by Faramarz Payvar

Chashm Be-raah 1990s, (Kept Awaiting), with Atta Jangouk

Mystified 1990s, (Heyrani), performed by Shams Ensemble, composed by Kaykhosro Pournazeri

Mahtab-rou 1990s, (as beautiful as the moon), performed by Shams Ensemble, composed by Kaykhosro Pournazeri

Voice of Endearment 1970s, (Sedaye Sokhan-e Eshgh), performed by Shams Ensemble, composed by Kaykhosro Pournazeri

Shour-Angiz 1980s, (Joy-giver), composed by Hossein Alizadeh, performed by Aref and Shayda Ensemble

Yadegar-e doust (In remembrance of a friend), composed by Kambiz Roshanravan

Baharan-e Abidar 1980s (Springtime in Abidar [a mountain around Sanandaj / Iran]), with Kamkars group

Beshno az Ney 1980s (Listen to the Reed), with Fereydoun Shahbazian

Dar Golestaneh 1980s, (In Golestaneh [a village around Kashan / Isfahan province]),composed by Hooshang Kamkar

Laleh Bahar 1970s, (Spring Tulip), with Aref Ensemble, composed by Parviz Meshkatian

Bi Gharar 1980s, composed by Jalil Andalibi

Kish-e mehr 1980s, (Manner of Affection) composed by Jalil Andalibi

Benmay Rokh 1970s, (Show me your Face), composed by Jalil Andalibi

Chavoush (4 Volumes) 1970s, performed by Shayda Ensembe, composed by Mohammad-Reza Lotfi

Banned works

Rastpanjgah Concert, composed by Shahram Nazeri, performed in Tehran 1996

The Book of Austerity,

Zagros based on Kurdish folklore music of Iran

Mousa & Shaban (Moses & Shepherd)

Concert of Aref Ensemble in Tehran 2005

In the Path of Rumi Tour in the US & Canada since 2001

Honors

On September 28, 2007 he was presented France's Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal for his lifetime achievements in Persian Classical music.

Prestigious "lifetime achievement award", House of Music Celebration.(2007)

Asia Society has awarded him by the prestigues Lifetime Cultural Heritage Award along with Secretary General of United Nation on Nov 2007

See also

Ensembles worked with Nazeri:

Aref ensemble

Dastan ensemble

Kamkars group

Shams Ensemble

Notes

External links

Shahram Nazeri's official website

[ Shahram Nazeri] at Allmusic

Shahram Nazeri's performance at 800th anniversary of Rumi (BBC Persian)

Légion d'honneur for Shahram Nazeri (BBC Persian)

France to Award Iran's Pavarotti (Fars News Agency)

YouTube Video Clips Shahram and Hafez Nazeri

A demonstration with the Kamkars

Master Nazeri's web-space is http://www.myspace.com/shahramnazeri.

Category:1951 births Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:Iranian classical vocalists Category:Iranian humanitarians Category:Iranian Légion d'honneur recipients Category:Iranian male singers Category:Iranian musicians Category:Légion d'honneur recipients Category:Music educators Category:People from Kermanshah Category:Persian classical musicians