Awards and distinctions

Crystal Simorgh Nomination for “Best Music” for his work on the film Heavy Makeup. (Crystal Simorgh is the most prestigious award given by the Fajr International Film Festival, Iran’s major annual film festival)7

Officially recognized as “one of the Top Three Tanbour Players” as well as “one of the Top Three Kamancheh Players” in all of Iran By The House of Music. (The House of Music is a distinguished independent, non-governmental, trade organization involving all Iranian musicians whose mission is to develop, promote, and spread the music of Iranians)

The Certificate of Honor from the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. (In recognition of your continued commitment to the Shams Ensemble; for your dedication and hard work to make it one of Iran’s best performance groups; for your contribution to spreading Iran culture to the world through a variety of percussive instruments, distinctive styles of the musical dynamics and arrangements for all to enjoy…)

Michael Chase is the Administrator at the legendary Theatre de la Ville in Paris. He confirms Mr. Pournazeri’s major impact to Persian music and the Tanbour
By the present I confirm that Sohrab Pournazeri is an accomplished virtuoso in Persian music. As one of the top three Tanbour and Kamancheh players in Iran, he has developed an extraordinary technical mastery of both instruments. His unique playing style of the Tanbour has greatly influenced many young musicians who follow his technique. In fact, his new approach to the instrument has revolutionized the Tanbour.

As a performer his virtuosity is unparalleled and his dazzling improvisation skills on stage distinguish him from other musicians. He is also able to mesmerize the audience for hours with his charisma and heart captivating melodies.

Jimmy Deishad, Mayor of Beverly Hills, California, personally recognizes Mr. Pournazeri’s original cultural impact, attesting:

Sohrab Pournazeri has made original contributions in the field of traditional classical Iranian music. He has composed original songs/compositions that are widely recognized around the world by other musicians in the field.

Sohrab has received widespread recognition and notice from others in the field and his original work has significantly changed how Classical Iranian music is now recognized around the world. His compositions/songs include fusions of Instruments never used previously and this alone has had major significance in his qualifications as an eminent and distinguished musician, His work not only includes original songs/compositions which have become world renowned and distinguish him from other musicians but he has also contributed his creation of unique never before instruments that have not been in existence. Sohrab is a master player of “Tambour” “Setar” “Kamancheh” (Stick Fiddle).

He is known to be amongst world’s top instrumentalist. He also is an accomplished Tenor Singer Sohrab’s contributions to the field have dramatically changed the face of classical Iranian music. It is believed that Sohrab’s contributions to be equivalent to Beethoven Sohrab is the leading “critical” component of the World’s Famous “Shams Ensemble” group. Said group’s performances and recognition across the world would not have been in place but for Sohrab’s critical role.

The group has a distinguished reputation around the world for unique performances based solely on Sohrab’s critical and original compositions. Sohrab is in fact the main composer of the songs and music and leads and directs the performances. Without his contributions Shams Ensemble would not have received the distinguished and eminent status it now enjoys.

[Sohrab] has widely traveled and given concerts Tours around the World [and] are widely attended and his contributions have had significant impact in the field of traditional classical Iranian music.

Hossein Omoumi is a scholar and teacher of Iranian traditional music at the University of California, Irvine. He attests
Mr. Pournazeri has made original contributions to the fields of classical Oersian music and traditional Kurdish music, both as a musician and a composer. He has composed original songs/compositions that are widely recognized around the world.

Mr. Pournazeri’s original piece and contributions have received widespread recognition and critical acclaim from his peers. He is among the musicians whose original work has significantly changed how Iranian music is now recognized around the world, especially among the young generation. His concerts are widely attended and his contributions have made a significant impact on the field of Iranian music.

Mr. Pournazeri’s work not only includes original songs and compositions, which have become world-renowned and have distinguished him from other musicians, but he has also created a personal technique to play such instruments as kamancheh and Kurdish tambour.

Mr. Pournazeri’s role as main composer and performance director of Shams Ensemble, a thirty-year old Iranian ensemble, has been pivotal. Without his original compositions and presence, Shams Ensemble would not have received the distinguished and eminent status it now enjoys

Qubad J. Talabani is the Representative to the United States at the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq. He attests to Mr. Pournazeri’s major original contributions:
Mr. Pournazeri has devoted his life to his music and over the years had made significant contributions to the art of traditional Kurdish and Iranian music.

In addition to being a musician, Mr. Pournazeri is also a composer, creating many original Kurdish songs that have been performed globally. Mr. Pournazeri’s compositions have significantly impacted how Kurdish music – especially the music of the tanbour (an instrument native to the Kurdish people and the Middle East) – is recognized around the world. His unique compositions include fusions of instruments never used previously, which is a significant musical achievement and one that further distinguishes him as a prominent musician.

Mr. Pournazeri’s talents have also contributed to the world-renowned success of the Shams Ensemble, where he is the main composer and performance director. The Shams Ensemble has gained recognition for its unique performances based solely on Mr. Pournazeri’s original compositions. No doubt the field of traditional Kurdish and Iranian music has been enriched by Mr. Pournazeri’s enormous talents.