Artist Information
Biography
Guitarist Eric Tompkins and Persian singer Neda are on a creative journey that draws from their richly diverse musical and cultural backgrounds. Originally from Iran, Neda lived for many years in Washington DC and London, England where she performed Persian standards and traditional music. She frequently shared the stage with well known Iranian performers such as Hayedeh, Aslani, Moein and Leyla. Neda met Eric in 2006 and began a musical collaboration which would eventually take her to Canada. Eric's experience playing jazz and Latin music and his interest in world music perfectly compliments Neda's enchanting voice. Within a short time Navaz was formed (the name translated from Farsi as caressing or playing music). Since 2007 they have toured BC and have been performing at festivals. Last year they recorded a live performance at CBC's Studio One in Vancouver BC (featured on Canada Live). Much of the music of Navaz is rooted in the Sufi poetry of Hafez and Rumi, while some of it has a more contemporary Persian sound fused with Spanish and Brazilian rhythms. Although Neda's background is Persian, she sings in Spanish, Italian, French and English. At a concert you can expect to hear echos of Edith Piaf, Googoosh, and a touch of Patsy Cline. The music will make you want to dance or take you on an exotic journey to far away places. . .
Instrumentation
ERIC TOMPKINS (GUITAR)
NEDA JALALI (VOCALS) WITH ALI RAZMI (TAR, SETAR), BARDIA SADEGHI (TUMBEC, DAF),
Discography
Our first CD: 'Navaz: East of West.' Single tracks are available @ CD BABY
Second CD: Onsu - The Other Side
available @ CD Baby
Eric's previous CD is titled 'Fellini's Hat Band'
Official Website
Video
Press
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FRIDAY NIGHT FULL OF EXCITEMENT AT CAFE VOLTAIRE
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"Originally from Iran, Neda sang several Persian songs - all beautifully melodic and gorgeously perf...
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HEARTFELT
“Heartfelt performances - a beautiful fusion of Eastern and Western styles...”
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EXOTIC
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“Neda’s amazing voice together with the band’s exotic music made their performance one of the high...
Setlist
We perform in a wide range of styles, from jazz and Latin standards to country and blues. However, Persian music (both traditional and contemporary) is the primary focus of what we do. Below is a sample of tunes.
WATER SONG - AVAZ E AAB (ORIGINAL/ PERSIAN)
JANAN (RUMI)
TALAAB (RUMI)
GOFTAM - SUFI (PERSIAN)
JAMEH JAM - SUFI (HAFEZ)
RAVEN'S CALL (ORIGINAL)
HAVA NAGHILA (JEWISH TRAD., WITH FARSI LYRICS)
CRAZY (PATSY CLINE)
WALKIN' AFTER MIDNIGHT (PATSY CLINE)
HARAMT AHEBAK (ARABIC)
BELLA CIAO (ITALIAN TRADITIONAL)
GRACIAS A LA VIDA (SPANISH)
GOLE BI GOLDOON (PERSIAN, GOOGOOSH)
DEL ASIRE (PERSIAN, ASLANI)
BAROON BAROONE (PERSIAN)
BOYER AHMEDI (PERSIAN)
AUTUMN LEAVES (IN FRENCH)
