Mahsa Vahdat (IR)

About

Mahsa Vahdat draws from the deep well of classical Persian and regional folk traditions, reshaping them into something that resonates far beyond Iran's borders. Born in Tehran, she writes most of her own material, setting texts by poets like Hafez and Rumi alongside contemporary Persian verse, and her voice has earned descriptions like silk smooth and intensely beautiful from world music press including Songlines and fRoots. Because Iranian law bars women from performing solo in public, nearly all of her recordings have been made outside the country, which has pushed her work into international festivals across Asia, Europe, the US and Africa. Her 2004 appearance on Lullabies from the Axis of Evil kicked off a long partnership with Norwegian label Kirkelig Kulturverksted, leading to a string of releases including Songs from a Persian Garden and I Am Eve, both made with her sister Marjan. She has collaborated with jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen, guitarist Knut Reiersrud and Mighty Sam McClain, among others. Since 2007 she has served as an ambassador for Freemuse, the organisation that campaigns for musicians' freedom of expression worldwide, and received their award in 2010.