Azam Ali
Encyclopedia
Azam Ali is an Iranian American musician of Iranian
descent.
, India
. Ali and her mother moved to Los Angeles, California in 1985, after which Ali discovered the santour. Ali then studied the santour under Persian master Manoocher Sadeghi, which led to the rediscovery of her voice.
In 1996, Ali formed "alternative world" group VAS
with percussionist Greg Ellis
after meeting the year prior at a concert at UCLA. She and her husband, Loga Ramin Torkian
, are also part of another group, Niyaz
, an Iranian acoustic electronic group.
In 2005, Azam Ali was featured in Enter The Chicken, a Buckethead album, singing the song Coma along side Serj Tankian.
. This was followed up with 2006's Elysium for the Brave, which reached #10 on Billboard's
World Albums chart on 23 September 2006. Ali's most recent release, 2011's From Night to the Edge of Day, is a collection of lullabies inspired by her son.
With VAS
Greg Ellis
With Niyaz
With VGM
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
descent.
Biography
Born in Tehran, Iran 1970, Ali spent most of her childhood in PanchganiPanchgani
Pānchgani is a town and municipal council in Sātārā district in Mahārāshtra, India .-History:Scenic Panchgani was discovered by the British during the British Raj as a summer resort, and a superintendent named John Chesson was placed in charge of the hill station in the 1860s...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Ali and her mother moved to Los Angeles, California in 1985, after which Ali discovered the santour. Ali then studied the santour under Persian master Manoocher Sadeghi, which led to the rediscovery of her voice.
In 1996, Ali formed "alternative world" group VAS
Vas (band)
Vas was an alternative world musical group composed of Persian vocalist Azam Ali and American percussionist Greg Ellis. Vas is frequently compared to the Australian band Dead Can Dance. The band released four full-length albums, and both artists have released a few solo albums and participated in...
with percussionist Greg Ellis
Greg Ellis
Greg Ellis may refer to:*Greg Ellis *Greg Ellis , American football*Greg Ellis , musician, member of VAS and Roseland...
after meeting the year prior at a concert at UCLA. She and her husband, Loga Ramin Torkian
Loga Ramin Torkian
Loga Ramin Torkian is a musician who has worked with the groups Axiom of Choice and Niyaz. Both groups incorporate Persian and Middle Eastern themes into their music. Torkian composes music and plays several instruments, including the tar, the Turkish saz, and the guitarviol, an electric...
, are also part of another group, Niyaz
Niyaz
Niyaz is an Iranian musical trio. The group was created in 2005 by DJ, programmer/producer and remixer Carmen Rizzo, vocalist and hammered dulcimer player Azam Ali, formerly of the group Vas, and Ali's husband, Loga Ramin Torkian, of the Iranian crossover group Axiom Of Choice...
, an Iranian acoustic electronic group.
In 2005, Azam Ali was featured in Enter The Chicken, a Buckethead album, singing the song Coma along side Serj Tankian.
Solo Career
In 2002, Ali released her first solo album, Portals of GracePortals of Grace
Portals of Grace is the first solo release from Azam Ali. Prior to this album, she had released music with the group VAS.-Track listing:# Lasse Pour Quoi Portals of Grace is the first solo release from Azam Ali. Prior to this album, she had released music with the group VAS.-Track listing:#...
. This was followed up with 2006's Elysium for the Brave, which reached #10 on Billboard's
Billboard
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
World Albums chart on 23 September 2006. Ali's most recent release, 2011's From Night to the Edge of Day, is a collection of lullabies inspired by her son.
Discography
Solo albums- Portals of GracePortals of GracePortals of Grace is the first solo release from Azam Ali. Prior to this album, she had released music with the group VAS.-Track listing:# Lasse Pour Quoi Portals of Grace is the first solo release from Azam Ali. Prior to this album, she had released music with the group VAS.-Track listing:#...
(2002) - Elysium for the BraveElysium for the BraveElysium For The Brave is singer/songwriter Azam Ali's second album.-Track listing:#"Endless Reverie"#"Spring Arrives"#"In Other Worlds"#"Abode"#"Forty One Ways"#"The Tryst"#"From Heaven To Dust"#"I Am A Stranger In This World"#"In This Divide"...
(2006) - From the Night to the Edge of Day (2011)
With VAS
- SunyataSunyata (VAS album)-Track listing:# "Ningal"# "Saphyrro"# "Refuge"# "Sunyata"# "Apsara"# "Astrae"# "Iman"# "Remembrance"# "Arc of Ascent"# "At Siva's Feet"...
(1997) - OfferingsOfferings (VAS album)Offerings is the second album by VAS, with guests Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Steve Stevens, and Hans Christian.-Track listing:# "Svarga"# "Roya"# "Varuna"# "The Promise"# "Ellora"# "Temple Of The Maiden"# "Leyli"# "Veiled"# "Wajad"...
(1998) - In the Garden of SoulsIn the Garden of SoulsIn the Garden of Souls is the third album by Vas.-Track listing:# "In The Garden of Souls"# "Inamorata"# "Samaya"# "Prayer for Soheil"# "Ceremony of Passage"# "Beyond Despair"# "The Inward Coil"# "Éphémère "# "Lila"# "Unbecome"...
(2000) - Feast of SilenceFeast of SilenceFeast of Silence is the fourth album release by Vas. It was released after the band came off a hiatus spent recording solo endeavours.-Track listing:# "Amrita "# "In Our Faith"# "Mandara"# "Izgrejala"# "Moksha"...
(2004)
Greg Ellis
- Kala Rupa Explorations in Rhythm (2001)
With Niyaz
- NiyazNiyaz (album)Niyaz is the debut album of the Iranian music group Niyaz, an acoustic electronic project. The word "Niyaz" means "yearning" in Persian and Urdu.Niyaz reached #12 in the Billboard Top World Albums chart....
(2005) - Nine HeavensNine HeavensNine Heavens is the second album of Iranian music group Niyaz, an acoustic electronic project. It was released on June 24, 2008 on Six Degrees Records.The album is divided into 2 discs...
(2008)
With VGM
- Syphon Filter: Logan's ShadowSyphon Filter: Logan's ShadowSyphon Filter: Logan's Shadow is a third-person shooter developed by SCE Bend Studio and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation Portable. Logan's Shadow was released on the PSP in North America on October 2, 2007 and in Europe on November 30, 2007. It was ported to the...
(2007)