Persian Virtuoso Derakshani to Perform at OC Pavilion with Founding Doors Drummer John Densmore

The world class OC Pavilion is pleased to welcome Persian virtuoso Reza Derakshani with John Densmore to the main stage on March 9, 2007 at 8:00 PM. Legendary Doors drummer John Densmore and Persian-music virtuoso Reza Derakshani have combined their talent and passion for music to create a unique sound that transcends cultural boundaries. Haunting and spirtual, driving and hypnotic, they have created a sound that combines contemporary jazz with traditional Persian sounds and instruments. The Reza/John Densmore project is an experience…both sensual & spiritual in nature.

An acclaimed virtuoso of classical Persian music, Reza’s music is a blend of Persian, Moroccan, African, Indian and Western music and is earthy, mystical and seductive, as traditional rigor meets improvisational freedom and complex. A multi-instrumental musician, John’s musical background is a blend of rock, jazz, reggae and global sounds. His collaboration with Reza offers a performance that spans both East and West, combining global and devotional styles with jazz, rock and other modern forms.

Reza is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and visual artist who was born and raised in Iran, lived in New York for over 20 years, and presently resides in Tehran. He has performed around the world including the U.S., France, and Italy.

Reza is a master of traditional Persian stringed instruments like the Tar, Setar and the bowed Tarmanche and Kamanche, as well as the bamboo flute known as the Ney and the Daf, a hand drum. He has composed the theme music for director Bahman Kiarostami's highly anticipated documentary Koffar (Infidels) and is arranging the soundtrack.

Reza has collaborated with such artists as Branford Marsalis, poet-philosopher Robert Bly, author Deepak Chopra, Madonna and choreographer Bill T. Jones. Reza has also collaborated with cellist-vocalist Dawn Buckholz Avery on the acclaimed 2001 album Water From the Well, a Best Album pick from WNYC. John Densmore has collaborated with many musicians and is best known as being a founding member and drummer for The Doors.

Densmore and Derakshani have assembled a group of accomplished musicians to fill out their sound. Cuban born Carlitos Del Puerto is already one of the most recognized acoustic bass players to emerge in the last decade. In 1991, Carlitos won the Grand Prize and and first Honorable Mention for excellence in interpretation of Cuban Music at the Amadeo Roldan National Music Competition. Pianist, composer, teacher, Dennis Hamm began playing the piano at age four and by college he had developed a passion for jazz and salsa music. Cristina Berio studied piano at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi di Milano and at Julliard School of Music, however before she completed her studies her musical curiosity brought her to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she became a professional percussionist & vocalist.

The concert begins at 8:00 PM and doors to the OC Pavilion and Ambrosia Restaurant open at 5:00 PM. Dinner reservations are highly recommended.

The OC Pavilion is home to an intimate 529 person capacity theatre and the 5-star, world class restaurant Ambrosia. The Vault VIP Lounge is open before and after each theatre performance, offering appetizers, drinks and desserts featuring a live jazz trio. The Vault VIP Lounge, formerly a bank vault, retains its authenticity by keeping the original vault doors while incorporating the feel of an upscale lounge with custom leather seating and hightop pedestal tables.


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About the OC Pavilion – www.ocpavilion.com
From chandeliers to exquisite hand painted murals, the OC Pavilion most intimate and exclusive performing arts theater and restaurant complex in Orange County, California. Located in historic downtown Santa Ana “the Golden City”, our beautifully appointed theater with a capacity of only 528 seats assures you of an exceptional close up view of any event. With our state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems and a myriad of high-resolution video screens, we are quickly becoming known as Orange County's own "jewel box". The theatre features various musical and theatrical events and is available for private leasing. For more information, contact 714-550-0880.

High-resolution images are available by contacting Jamie Pastor at 714-550-0880, ext. 229 or by email at jpastor@ocpavilion.com.