Monika Jalili

“Masterfully evocative….to call their performance inspired is an understatement.” – Lucid Culture

For a talented group of Iranian poets and composers enjoying fame, the Iranian revolution of 1979 extinguished hopes, dreams and careers. Since a serendipitous introduction in 2003, Monika Jalili has worked tirelessly to revive the touching works of these Iranian artists, some of whom are no longer with us, and most of whom have lived the past 30 years unable to express themselves as they once could. It is their songs that Monika sings with passion, appreciation, and love.

Monika Jalili brings to life the rich history of Iranian culture through its music and poetry. Her entrancing selection of songs spans time and place; traditional Persian folk favorites stand alongside love songs from the 1940s to 1970s, a time of great cultural change in Iran. These are songs of love and hope and to this day, are still prohibited from being performed in Iran. The songs are performed in their original languages of Persian, Azeri, and various dialects. Using traditional and non-traditional instruments, her ensemble of musicians combine their influences to present original interpretations of this music. In a spirit of exploration, Monika aspires to create understanding through an appreciation of the beauty of Iranian culture.