For a talented group of Iranian poets and composers enjoying fame, the Iranian revolution of 1979 extinguished hopes, dreams and careers. Since a serendipitous introduction in 2003, Monika Jalili has worked tirelessly to revive the touching works of these Iranian artists, some of whom are no longer with us, and most of whom have lived the past 30 years into their old age unable to express themselves as they once could. It is their songs that Monika sings with passion, appreciation, care and love.

Monika Jalili brings to life the rich history of Iranian culture through its music and poetry. Her entrancing selection of songs spans time and place; traditional Persian folk favorites stand alongside love songs from the 1940s to 1970s, a time of great cultural change in Iran. The songs are performed in their original languages of Persian, Azeri, and various dialects. Using traditional and non-traditional instruments, her ensemble musicians combine their influences to present original interpretations of this music. In a spirit of exploration, Monika aspires to create understanding through an appreciation of the beauty of Iranian culture. Monika's English and French translations are her way of sharing the poetry she loves with a global audience.

Jamshied Sharifi was born in Topeka, Kansas to an Iranian father and an American mother. At an early age, Sharifi was exposed to jazz and Middle Eastern music by his father and to European classical and church music by his mother. He began to study classical piano at age five and quickly developed a thirst for musical instruction and a desire to improvise. At age nine he began studying guitar and drums, and at age ten added flute.

While Sharifi’s initial focus in music can be credited to American jazz, it is his infusions of elements from the Middle East and Africa that make his music distinctive. He is an accomplished pianist and synthesizer player. Notably, Sharifi holds the synthesizer to an ‘acoustic’ standard and aims to play it with the detail and richness of articulation that comes naturally to an acoustic instrumentalist. To achieve this sound he uses a controller which allows him to manipulate the synthesizer with his breath. He combines this technique with a ribbon controller that allows him to bend the pitch smoothly and continuously with his finger. According to Jamshied, using both these techniques makes the instrument a “wind-driven, fretless synthesizer”.

Sharifi is also known for his work on film soundtracks for many major studio and independent films including Muppets From Space, Down To Earth, Harriet the Spy, and Clockstoppers, and contributed to the scores of The Thomas Crown Affair and The Rugrats Movie. In addition to creating his own albums and scoring films, Sharifi has arranged and produced albums for many artists, including Tibetan vocalist Yungchen Lhamo, and Persian vocalist Mamak Khadem.

Hassan Hakmoun is a powerful,soulful and charismatic "Master" musician who has been performing since childhood on the streets of Marrakech, Morocco. Hassan started performing in his homeland as an entertainer for Gnawa Ceremonies. These ceremonies are known for spiritual healing and trance. He soon became the "Lead Musician" of his group, learning all the music and instruments by heart.

Not before long, Hassan became a Master of the Santir,(a three string,long necked lute). His music has been called prayer, a celebration of emotions, a mixture of happiness and sorrow. Trance is a brilliant fusion of traditional Moroccan healing music, funk, rock, jazz, and reggae. Hassan first made his debut in 1987 at Lincoln Center,New York. Since then, Hassan and his music have been selected by Rolling Stone as one of the "Hot Picks of ..94", topped the charts with his albums "The Fire Within", "Gift of the Gnawa", and "Trance" on the World Music Albums, World Music Charts Europe, New World,and CMJ Radio Top 150 and more. He won "The Album of the Year" in 2003 from the AFIM Indie Awards for the album, "The Gift". He performed at WOODSTOCK 94, WOMAD 94 tour with Peter Gabriel. Hassan Hakmoun has performed and recorded with Randy Weston Don Cherry, Richard Horowitz, Adam Rudolph, Paula Cole, Bob Telson, Peter Gabriel, Ittal Shore,and many more.He has appeared on the Tonight Show and David Sanborn's NBC Sunday Night Music.

Hassan is currently working on his new album which will be a new riveting and sensational collaboration between inspirational singers around the world. Overall, Hassan Hakmoun has truly shined to many people around the world bringing them together, and intertwining the diversity of music. Hassan can hold a crowd in a constant motion of enthusiasm with both him and his bands energy. " I love his extraordinary voice. He has a fantastic way of blending his Moroccan roots with a variety of western and African styles to produce music that is very fresh,modern yet familiar. As a performer he is charismatic, energetic and a spectacular dancer. I'm very happy to be able to work with him." -Peter Gabriel, Rolling Stone