X
AGA BIBI—Today this, tomorrow that
AGA BIBI is a fashion brand driven by the vision of Mehrnoush Shahhosseini—an architect, designer, storyteller and the creative team lead behind AGA BIBI. Born in 1973 in Tehran, she grew up as the youngest of a five-member family, with two older brothers. Her father was a university professor of literature and her mother was…
Through the curious world of her viral videos, Ella Lotfi seeks to break barriers and redefine movement.
Ella Lotfi’s instagram lately begs a lot of questions. In one video, she’s at the gym using a chest press with her legs, and in another, she climbs a staircase in a manner that can only be described as being akin to an upside-down spider, while 2 other guys fall down the same staircase like…
Lost but Not Forgotten: Reviving Iran’s Flavors
I had the opportunity to speak with Shahrzad Shokouhivand, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu pastry school, founder of L'Atelier de Shahrzad and Femme Chic Patisserie, the first Iranian to receive the esteemed L’Ordre du Mérite Agricole. As a visionary pastry chef and entrepreneur, she has been instrumental in reviving Iran’s forgotten flavors and bringing…

Lloyd Miller and the Fusion of Jazz with Persian Rythms

Lloyd Miller’s time in Iran marked a unique fusion of two worlds—jazz and Persian classical music. Immersing himself in the cultural and musical fabric of Iran, Miller became deeply involved in learning the subtleties of Persian music. He studied under local masters and lived among the musicians, absorbing the complexities of Persian melodies, rhythms, and instruments. His approach wasn’t merely academic; he sought to internalize the music and understand its emotional depth. His dedication to learning instruments like the santur, setar, and ney, combined with his background in Western jazz, allowed him to create innovative compositions that merged the improvisational nature of jazz with the modal structures of Persian music. This cross-cultural exchange became a cornerstone of his music, as he blended the soulful expressions of Persian music with the spontaneity and syncopation of jazz.

Miller’s work in Iran also extended beyond music performance. He became a bridge between Iranian musicians and the global jazz community, hosting workshops, and collaborating with local musicians to experiment with new sounds. His influence wasn’t just limited to the act of playing but also in encouraging Iranian artists to experiment with improvisation, a hallmark of jazz. Though jazz was unfamiliar in Iran at the time, Miller’s presence helped open doors for a generation of musicians who began to explore jazz as a viable genre within their own musical language. His philosophy wasn’t to overshadow Persian traditions but to find common ground, showing that the essence of jazz—improvisation, freedom, and innovation—could exist within Persian music.

Over the years, Miller’s work in Iran and his unique blend of jazz and Persian music became a quiet yet significant influence on Iranian music. His contributions helped pave the way for future generations of musicians to think beyond traditional boundaries. While he may not have been a household name in Iran, his presence had a lasting impact on the development of contemporary Iranian music, particularly in the way jazz would eventually be integrated into Iran’s musical scene. Today, his legacy is recognized by musicians who continue to explore and expand the intersection of Eastern and Western musical traditions, with Miller’s fusion serving as an inspiring model of cultural and artistic exchange.

Categories: Music
Tags: Lloyd Miller
TPM Staff:
Related Post