Join acclaimed musician Mohammad Khodadadi in Los Angeles for an unforgettable evening of Afro-Iranian music and the vibrant dance music traditions of Southern Iran. Featuring a powerhouse live ensemble, this high-energy performance celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the Persian Gulf through infectious grooves, soaring melodies, and masterful musicianship. Rooted in the Afro-Iranian traditions of Bushehr and the southern coast of Iran, the performance blends the expressive sounds of the ney and neyanboon with percussion, guitar, bass, keyboard, and vocals to create a joyful, immersive concert experience that honors centuries of cultural exchange between Iran, East Africa, and the Indian Ocean. This is music meant to be experienced together—an evening that will have audiences on their feet dancing from beginning to end.

About the Artist

Mohammad Khodadadi was born in Bushehr in Southern Iran. He is a Ney player and a composer who has studied composition of western classical music at the university of Anton Bruckner in Linz/Austria. Mohammad started playing Ney from the age of 15 through strong self-discipline and coaching of Masters of Ney such as Hassan Kassai, and A. Afsharnia. He has also studied the Persian radif and techniques of singing with Master Hatam Askari and Seddigh Tarif. He learned to play the piano with Rosita Shaker and Tamara Dolidze in Iran and continued with Andreas Taller in Austria. Mohammad learned composition with Master Alireza Mashayekhi, Professor Soyka and Erland Freudenhaler. He has performed at various events and stages in the US.

About Diaspora Arts Connection

Diaspora Arts Connection (DAC) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the voices of immigrant, refugee, and diaspora artists through live performances, festivals, educational programs, and cross-cultural collaborations. DAC builds bridges between communities by presenting world-class artists, preserving cultural traditions, and creating opportunities for meaningful artistic exchange. Through its programs, DAC celebrates the diversity of global cultures while fostering dialogue, connection, and belonging through the arts.

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