GRAMMY-WINNING MUSICIAN AND PRODUCER

HAMID SAEIDI

Dynamic. Captivating. Transcendent.

These are words critics and music lovers around the world use to describe the first Iranian Grammy Award-winning composer, producer and santoor artist, Hamid Saeidi. His compositions coalesce classical Persian themes with contemporary, tour de force instrumentation to create truly unique, truly magical experiences.

Trained in the Radiff system of Persian Classical music from age 15, Hamid studied santoor (Persian hammered dulcimer) with famed Master Madjid Kiani. His amazing technique, emotional depth and innovative improvisations led him to pursue a degree in music from The Iranian Academy of the Arts, where he studied composition under Masters Farhad Fakhredini and Vartan Sahakian. He went on to receive international acclaim for performances in Iran, Greece, Ireland, Germany, England, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia and the United States.

Over his career, Hamid has composed musical scores for over 35 films, television programs, and dance and theatrical presentations, including Baran Dar Aftab by Farshad Fereshteh Hekmat, Javdanegi by Farshad Fereshtehekmat, Afsaneh Saheleh Tareek by Reza Davari, Letters from Tentland by Helena Waldman and the dance presentation, Avazhick, performed at the celebrated Theatre Shahr in Tehran. His work received awards at the Beirut film festival (2002), the Iran TV festival (2002­, 2004­, 2007), and the Society of Critics of Theater in Iran (2005).

Hamid Saeidi Concert Dolby Theater Radio Hamrah Los Angeles CA 2022

In recognition of his accomplishments on the international stage, The Farhang Foundation in Los Angeles commissioned original multimedia compositions by Hamid for Imaginary Knots (2010) and The Foundation’s annual Nowruz celebration of Persian culture at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2012).

Along with Lili Hayden, MB Gordy, and Itai Disraeli, Hamid co­-founded Opium Moon, a sensual and groovy collaboration of master musicians. Opium Moon’s self-titled album won the GRAMMY award for the best “New Age Album” at the 61st Annual GRAMMY awards. Opium Moon’s second album, Night & Day, got nominated for the 64th Grammy award for best “New Age Album” in 2021.

Soon after, Hamid founded Hamid Saeidi & Ensemble, dedicated to bringing traditional and contemporary Persian poetry and music to broader audiences. His distinctive approach to live performance–including call-and­-response–encourages the direct experience of the transformative power of music.

Hamid Saeidi Concert Dolby American Jewish University Los Angeles CA 2022

In 2019, Hamid produced and performed two sold-out events at the Dolby Theater and Royce Hall (UCLA) with his international band. He was also speaker and performer, along with Opium Moon members, at TEDx Mumbai (February, 2020). 

Hamid’s work also includes a musical composition for the theatrical plays Listen, Born at 1982, Open Relationship, and Shaparak Khanoom, as well as a dance performance, Ney Naameh, in Los Angeles. 

after the Pandemic in 2022 he produced and performed two more sold-out events at the Dolby Theater and Gindi Hall (American Jewish University) with his international band and also collaborated with Max Amini in two nights sold out event in Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. 


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