AN AXIS OF JOY: Monika Jalili and Noorsaaz

I had the priviledge of meeting Soprano Monika Jalili and her Noorsaaz Band in Paris a few years ago during a European Tour. She performed at the Alliance Francaise and her pure voice brought tears of Joy to the mixed crowd composed of Iranians and French fans and newcomers. It brought joy and tears to many of us to hear her pure and beautiful voice bring back some of the greatest Persian Folk Songs and compositions of Pre Revolution Iran.

Interestingly none of the members of this cosmopolitan band is Iranian.

Monika Jalili Voice, Megan Weeder Violin, Timothy Quigley Percussion, Mavrothis Kontanis Oud, Nathan Dillon Guitar