Bijan Mortazavi, George Dalaras, Kazem al Saher
GLOBAL MUSICAL STAGE SET WITH MEDITERRANEAN AND MIDDLE
EASTERN MASTERS FOR UNITED STATES TOUR THE 1st ANNUAL MONDO MELODIA INTERNATIONAL
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Featuring
GEORGE DALARAS - KAZEM AL SAHER - BIJAN MORTAZAVI
Mondo Melodia International Music Festival 2000 Tour Dates
June 3rd, Greek Theater: Kazem AL Saher, George Dalaras, & Bijan
June 4th , Hollywood Bowl: Kazem Al Saher, George Dalaras, & Bijan
June 7th, Chicago Theater: Kazem Al Saher, & George Dalaras
June 8th, Detroit Opera House: Kazem Al Saher, & George Dalaras
June 10th, Radio City Music Hall: Kazem Al Saher, George Dalaras,&
Special Guest Simon Shaheen & Qantara Ensemble
June 11th, Wolf Trap Theater: Kazem Al Saher, George Dalaras, & Bijan
(For Ticket Information, see bottom of this page)
A new global door opens June 3, 2000 when the "1st Annual Mondo
Melodia International Music Festival"appears at the Greek Theatre
in Berkeley, California, kicking off a six-city United States tour. The
festivalbrings together highly acclaimed Mediterranean and Middle Eastern
masters for the first time on stage. Nowwith the appearance of Greece's
George Dalaras, Iraq's Kazem Al Saher, and Iran's Bijan Mortazavi, a newmusical
experience emerges.
Born in Piraeus, Greece, George Dalaras was the first artist to take
Greek music out of the conventionalclub environment, performing concerts
in large venues. Hailing from a tradition of folk and blues, Dalaras'international
success is no accident. Selling more than 7 million albums of his own
work as well ascollaborations with such artists as Mikis Theodorakis, Paco
De Lucia, Al de Meola, and Goran Bregovic,Dalaras is always expanding his
musical horizons. He has appeared at numerous cultural festivals and concertsin
Greece, Latin America, Israel, Russia, Canada, United States, France, Germany,
Romania, Cuba andEngland to name a few. In recognition of his humanitarian
contributions, he received the Kennedy Award.Dalaras' art and popularity
transcend the borders of Greece because his compositions, poignant expressions
ofprotest, social indignation and hope have set him apart. He constantly
brings to his audiences the discovery ofnew music and cultures. Due to
his exceptional voice and instrumental skills, he has always been at theforefront
of innovation in contemporary Greek music. In a country with so many flourishing
traditions,George Dalaras has become a musical phenomenon.
Considered one of the most renowned composers and vocalists in the Middle
East, Kazem Al Saher is thevoice of conscience for Arabs through song.
His musical life began in childhood. At age ten, his instrument ofchoice
was the Oud, and by twelve he was writing qasa'ed (poems). Classically
trained in Baghdad's prestigiousMusic Academy, his career began as a songwriter
for other Iraqi artists before he carved out his own uniqueplace in the
world of Arab entertainment with his emotive singing style and fusion of
classical Western musicwith Arabic folk music. Lauded for his nontraditional
use of long-forgotten magamat (scales or chords) and known as a perfectionist,Al
Saher has been at the forefront of a return to romantic classicism in Arabic
music in addition to revivinginterest in traditional Iraqi music and culture.
Words matter in the Arabic song, and Al Saher is one of thefew stars of
sufficient magnitude for famed poet Nizar Kabbani to pen verses for him.
In 1994 when he relocated in Cairo, and although he would return to
Iraq annually, he found himself cast asthe voice of the Arabic people.
Following the discovery of Al Saher's recordings--including his hit single"Abbart-El
Shatt" or "I Went to the Beach"--by an Egyptian television
executive, he performed on theEgyptian broadcast where he was an instant
success. In the last ten years, his albums have sold over twentymillion
copies. Al Saher is unabashedly classical, a modern superstar, with a strong
foothold in tradition, yetstill he manages to appeal to young people bridging
the gap between old and new. He is heralded as the mostpopular and critically
acclaimed singer in the Arab world. Shunning synthesizers, he composes
most of hismusic and tours with a full 35-man orchestra.
Born in the northern part of Iran by the Caspian Sea, violinist Bijan
Mortazavi first became introduced tothe instrument at age three. Trained
by five of Tehran's respected and established violinists, Mortazavi'stechnique
was developed early on. At age seven, he also began studying piano, guitar,
percussion and folklorestring instruments such as the Oud. At fourteen,
he was already performing his own compositions andarrangements. He assembled
a 32- piece orchestra and performed at the famous "Ramsar Summer Camp"
inIran. Moving to the United Kingdom following high school, Mortazavi studied
Civil Engineering simultaneouslywhile performing and continuing his violin
training. In 1972, he moved to the United States and continued hismusic
education at Texas State University. Eventually settling in California
in 1985 he released his first albumin 1990. It became a best seller and
his popularity was born. National and international tours followed withsold
out audiences. What notably distinguishes this talented musician from many
is his ability to personallyplay all the instruments required in his arrangements.
Finally to add to his list of accolades, in 1994 he washonored by becoming
the first Iranian artist to perform at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
//www.mondomelodia.com
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For general ticket information, please contact (818) 325-1288, (818)
996-4704 For tickets contact TICKETMASTER or the HOLLYWOOD BOWL BOX OFFICE.
Wherehouse Music. Robinson's May. Tower Records. Tu Musica. Ritmo Latino.
//www.ticketmaster.com
//www.hob.com
//www.billsilvapresents.com
//www.hollywoodbowl.com
For Chicago Theatre: Ticketmaster including Carson Pirie Scott, Dominicks
Stores, Tower Records, and Hot Tix or charge by phone: (312) 559-1212 For
New York contact: Ticketmaster (212) 307-7171 For DC contact: Ticketmaster
(212) 307-7171 For Greek Theater: Ticketmaster outlet, Rite Aid and Ritmo
Latino (415) 421-TIXS
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