The Magic of Bijan Mortazavi: His Music And His Songs

After coming to power in 1979, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini wasted no time banning all music in Iran. Not only was modern Iranian pop music outlawed, but even spiritual Islamic music used for prayer and worship became illegal. After suffering so devastating a blow, many Iranian musicians, composers and producers left their country -- and Iranian music continued to be recorded in Europe and the U.S. One label that has helped to keep Iranian (or Persian) music alive is the L.A.-based Caltex. It was in L.A. that Caltex recorded this impressive CD by Iranian singer/violinist Bijan Mortazavi.