Workshop: Persian and Western Vocal Traditions, A Comparative Perspective

"Mohsen Namjoo was born in 1976 in a traditional Iranian family in Torbate-jam (a small city famous for it's Dotar players), but he primarily grew up in the city of Mashhad. At the age of twelve, after the death of his father which affected him enormously, he was sent to vocal class organized by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Mashhad. Mohsen began recording some of his compositions as a solo artist, and later with two different bands in 2003 . He writes his own poetry with a unique modernist flair . In his trademark style, he sometimes uses satirical lyrics and blends them with classical poetry of Hafez, Rumi and Saadi. His bent for combining traditional Persian Music with Jazz and Blues has earned him the reputation of "Iran's most controversial musician."