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A dazzling, singular performance of classical Persian music featuring accomplished musicians Roxana Sarrafi (vocals), Mehrnam Rastegari (Kamancheh), and Kamyar Arsani (percussion). Curated and hosted by iconic DC impresario and musician Jim Thomson. The trio will perform cover versions of classical Persian songs, folk music, and also their own original pieces in two parts, featuring Shur, Mahur, and Isfahan – three of the 7 Dastgah’s in Persian music. Roxana Sarrafi is a Persian classical/traditional vocalist, whose passion for music and singing began at a young age. She started playing Setar and Tar, and singing at the age of 11 in Iran. Despite obtaining a master’s degree in law, Roxana remained devoted to her passion for music. She began pursuing singing as a professional career by taking vocal classes in the year 2000. She has since performed in various concerts and performances in Iran and recently in DC and Virginia. Mehrnam Rastegari is a prominent Persian musician and award winning film score composer, singer, violinist, and master Kamancheh player. She has performed in various international concerts and has been featured in some of the most prestigious music festivals worldwide, such as GlobalFest, Secret Planet and Ragas Live Festival in NYC, USA. Kamyar Arsani, a scholar of the Daf, is an Iranian multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter based in Washington D.C area. Through his solo work and numerous collaborations, Kamyar creates music across an array of styles, ranging from classical Persian music to genre-defying electronic experimentation.

About Jim Thomson: Jim Thomson owns and operates the Washington, DC-based boutique record label Electric Cowbell Records. He currently runs Multiflora Productions out of Washington, DC, an independent live music production agency that specializes in expanding the reach of eclectic traditional and non-traditional artists by creating a time and space where their work is presented in an environment where audiences and artists alike have a meaningful and significant experience together. In 2014 he became the music coordinator for the Capital Fringe Festival and also programmed the “Fringe Music in the Library series, which offered free live music in the DC Public Libraries through a sponsorship from the DC Public Library Foundation. He has booked several US tours for acclaimed artists such as Sahel Sounds recording artists Mdou Moctar and Les Filles de Illighadad, along with Zedashe from the Republic of Georgia, BCUC from South Africa, and several others. He is a founding member and played drums in: GWAR, Alter-Natives (SST Records), Bio Ritmo, and CSC Funk Band. He currently plays
drums in the DC-based punk rock band, Time Is Fire. Jim is currently producing a series of releases for the acclaimed indie salsa orchestra Bio Ritmo’s 30-year anniversary and booking the US debut tour for Sublime Frequencies recording artist Baba Commandant from Burkina Faso.