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The World, Feature >>
Many Iranian musicians live in exile. That's because Iran's Islamic rulers often disapprove of those who play Western-style music. Western pop and rock were banned altogether until 1998.
Now there's a ban on western music airing on state-run TV and radio. Most of Iran's exiled musicians dream of going back home. That's the case with the singer we're featuring in our Global Hit today. The World's Helen Barrington prepared this profile of Azam Ali.
Azam Ali was born in Iran's capital, Tehran. As a young child, her family moved to a small town in India's Maharashtra state. The family had always planned to return to Iran. But in 1979, the Iranian Revolution ended that dream. Instead, the family ended up moving from India to Los Angeles -- where Ali is still based. Her first big break as a musician was as lead singer for the trio Niyaz. But Azam Ali's new CD -- "Elysium for the Brave" -- is a solo album.
One of the tracks is called "Abode." It was originally recorded decades ago by a famous singer in Iran. Ali says her mother played it a lot for her when she was a child. Now, Ali says, the song reminds her of Iran and how much she misses it. Longing is a common theme on this CD.
Azam Ali has a large following among Iranian exiles in Los Angeles. But she's also becoming popular through her work in film and television. She sings the theme song for the Fox TV series, "Prison Break." That won her a 2006 Emmy Award nomination. Other big and small screen credits include "Matrix Revolutions," "Children of Dune" and "Alias."
Azam Ali will be performing in Pasadena next month and several east coast locations in the fall. 07/19/06 >> go there
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