Pedram is an Iranian musician and composer, born in Tehran in 1974. He grows up in a family of amateur musicians: his father plays several instruments, his mother sings, his sister plays setar and his brother plays tar. Music is a regular part of family life, and he learns to play several instruments from an early age.

Early training

At the age of 10, Pedram begins learning the santoor in Isfahan, where his father is posted as an helicopter pilot, and later continues in Tehran. His teachers include Faramarz Payvar, Parviz Meshkatian, Pashang Kamkar, Masood Shenasa and Siroos Saghari.

Performance and recognition

In 1991, he forms a band with other students from his school and is invited that year to perform at the Festival of Iranian Art in Düsseldorf. In 1993, he wins first prize in the santoor category at the Young Iranian Musicians Award. Soon afterwards, he joins Dastan, described as Iran’s leading traditional band, and tours with the group internationally, including performances in Morocco, Australia and the United States. He is the youngest member ever to play with Dastan.

Professional career

After returning from touring, Pedram turns professional and focuses on the santoor. He later joins the music faculty of the University of Tehran, where he studies music theory for six years with teachers including Fahrad Fakhreddini, Hasanriahi, Mohammad Sarir, Kamal Pourtorab and Kambiz Roshanravan. In 1995, he joins IRIB, the Iranian Public Broadcaster, and begins a second career as a composer.

Composition and instruments

Pedram has composed more than 100 songs. He bases much of his work on traditional material, often adding stronger rhythms, new arrangements and different sonorities, and he mixes classical Iranian instruments with piano, guitar, drums and other instruments. Alongside the santoor, he plays sheeshtar, daf, tombak, oud, piano, drums and bass guitar. He is able to use both Persian and Western notation and writes his own score sheets.