Biography

Navid Afghah, a distinguished musician (Composer, Multi Instrumentalist), was born in the vibrant city of Shiraz, Iran, in 1970. His remarkable journey in the world of music commenced in 1981 when he embarked on his studies at the "Center for Preservation and Propagation of Iranian Music." Guided by the renowned Mahmoud Farahmand Bafi, Navid's formative years were marked by profound experiences that left an indelible impact on his musical development.

Under the expert mentorship of esteemed instructors like Kambiz Roshan Rouhan and Dr. Hossein Mehraban, Navid delved into the intricacies of Harmony, Counterpoint, Orchestration, and Stylistics. These comprehensive lessons equipped him with a profound understanding of the nuances and complexities of music, enabling him to embark on a journey that would lead him to conduct numerous concerts within Iran and beyond.

Navid Afghah's illustrious career has been adorned with performances at renowned international music festivals, where he had the privilege of sharing his artistry with diverse audiences. Noteworthy among these performances were his captivating renditions at the Tokyo Summer Music Festival in 2008, the London Jazz Festival in 2018, and the renowned Bashmet International Music Festival, among others. Such prestigious platforms served as a testament to Navid's extraordinary talent and his ability to enthrall listeners from around the world.

Throughout his artistic endeavors, Navid has forged collaborative partnerships with groups and notable artists, including Faramarz Payvar, Aref, Dalaho, Aina, and Messiah. These collaborations allowed him to work alongside influential contemporaries in the Iranian music scene, including the likes of Darius Safwat, Faramarz Payvar, Parviz Meshkatian, Hossein Alizadeh, Kayhan Kalhor, Ardeshir Kamkar, Behdad Babaei, Mehdi Azarsina, Massoud Shenaseh, Shahram Nazeri, and Ali Ghamsari. Through these musical alliances, Navid's artistry has flourished, and his contributions to various albums have spanned diverse roles as an accompanist, soloist, collaborator, and composer.

Among his notable independent projects, Navid has crafted masterful works, such as the critically acclaimed albums "Illusional Echo," "Genesis," "Temple of Wooden Figures," and "Timequake." Embracing the visual medium, he has also ventured into music videos, producing compelling visual narratives in pieces like "The Chronicle of a Chemical Collapse" and "Timequake."

The album "Temple of Wooden figures" and the music video "Time of Tremor," as prominent works of Navid Afghah won the Bronze Award at the Global Music Awards in 2023. This success reflects Navid's artistic and creative abilities in the field of music, as well as the impact of his works on a global audience. These awards not only add more credibility to his work but also help promote Iranian music on an international level.

Navid's works as a musician and performer have always attracted attention and criticism. The album "Avaaye Khayal," released in 2024 as his first independent work, marks a turning point in his artistic career. The analytical book "Avaaye Khayal," written by Siamak Barghi, delves deeply into this album and its various aspects.

This book may include musical analyses, examinations of the themes and techniques employed in Navid's works, as well as the cultural and social impacts it has on audiences. The publication of this work by MashahirHONARPublishing represents an important step in promoting and introducing contemporary Iranian music.

Navid's artistic prowess extends beyond the realm of performance and composition. He has lent his creative talents to writing soundtracks for documentaries and experimental cinema, serving as both a music composer and supervisor. Notably, he has expertly curated soundtracks from his own albums for impactful films such as "Tehran Has No More Pomegranates" directed by Masoud Bakhshi, "Sivand, Earth, Dream" directed by Hossein Karim Pour, "The Seventh Day" directed by Arash Raissian, and "Nena" directed by Mohammad Reza Vatan Doost. These collaborations exemplify Navid's ability to seamlessly blend music and storytelling, elevating cinematic experiences.

Beyond his artistic endeavors, Navid has been devoted to imparting his knowledge and expertise through more than 300 workshops conducted across academic centers in Iran. These workshops have been focused on the intricate art of Tombak, allowing Navid to contribute to the preservation of traditional Iranian music. Furthermore, he has been honored to serve as a judge in the musical performance section of numerous music festivals within Iran, further solidifying his stature as an authority in the field. Navid has also been a supervisor at Tehran University and a university professor for Shiraz Azad University and Shiraz University or Art.