Persian jazz
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Persian jazz, also called Iranian jazz, is a form of jazz music emerged in Iran. This style of music has been appeared inside Iran from the West, but occasionally had influences from the Iranian classical music.
History
Before the Revolution of 1979
The 1950s in Iran is known as the Golden Age of Persian Pop Music, the Persian jazz music was developed in the same period.
By the development of pop music in Iran, jazz music was also heard in the National Iranian Radio and Television. Alfred Lazaryan, an Iranian singer and dancer who appeared by this period, is known as one of the very first Persian singers who emerged with Persian jazz in earnest, and his first recorded song, 'Venus', which became at the top the charts of the national Iranian radio in its time, was one of the very first jazz songs performed with Persian lyrics.[2] But soon, Lazaryan realized that he does not have a significant number of fans for his music, and that was the fact that led him to leave jazz music and to continue his artistic career focusing on his dancing.
During the same period, Viguen Derderidan, a well-known and immensely Iranian pop and jazz singer, was named as the King of Persian jazz and Persian pop, and created some of the most memorable Iranian songs.
After the Revolution of 1979
After the National Revolution of Iran in 1979, unlike what the revolution meant to cause, pop and jazz music, such as other fields of art that were contrary to the standards of the new regime, was banned and completely disappeared from the scene.
In the 1990s, following the new governmental decisions, officials decided to ease cultural restrictions within Iran and return the music scene to the country.[3]
Ijaaz is considered as the first official Iranian jazz band, which has received the license of the Ministry of Ershaad and has worked inside Iran, after the revolution.[4] They started a style of jazz music called jazz fusion, with notable influences from the Iranian classical music.
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Man Mast o To Divāne
 A sample of the song 'Man Mast o To Divāne' by Rana Farhan. |
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There are also other singers inside and outside of Iran, who have composed Iranian jazz music. One of the most famous Iranian jazz singers is Rana Farhan. Farhan sings in a bluesy style that is an exploration of combining classic Persian poetry with modern jazz and blues.
Another notable Iranian jazz singer is Ziba Shirazi. Her songs primarily focus on women's emotions, with expressions of love and feminism.[5]
Cyminology is also an Iranian jazz band, based in Berlin. They primarily perform with Persian lyrics sung by Cymin Samawatie, who has Iranian and German heritage.