Mamak Khadem: Iranian Vocal Trance.

Mamak Khadem has walked many roads in her remarkable life, from her childhood and youth in Tehran at a critical time in Iranian history, and her longtime work as an educator, to her acclaimed career as a singer, composer, and devoted advocate for cultural diversity, appreciation of Persian cultural traditions, and human rights. 

Called "one of the wonders of world trance music" by the Los Angeles Times, she has stunned audiences with her striking blend of classical Persian style with diverse contemporary influences, her exceptional vocal mastery, and her unforgettable voice. All are resplendent on her new album Remembrance --her debut on the Six Degrees Records label -- which also features guest appearances by singer and pianist Chris Martin (of Coldplay) and the venerable Rumi scholar and translator Coleman Barks.

She found her powerful voice early on, singing with the Children's Choir for National Radio and Television in Iran. But it wasn't until after the Iranian Revolution, before which she'd already emigrated to the U.S. as a teenager in 1977, that her passion for singing ignited and she began to pursue a musical path in earnest. Inspired by the work of Persian master musicians, she seized every opportunity to deepen and broaden her vocal art, regularly traveling back to Iran to study with some of the finest Persian vocalists. She also studied classical Indian singing tradition at the Ali Akbar Khan College of Music in northern California and explored Balkan vocal stylings during her tenure with the Los Angeles-based choir Nevenka. 

Studying for her master's degree in applied mathematics at California State University/Long Beach, Khadem took on her first teaching job. She would go on to teach mathematics full-time for the next 18 years, working with students ranging in age from primary school to university, with particular emphasis on educating children with learning disabilities. She found that music helped her connect with her students, and she often attended their concert performances to forge stronger bonds with them.

While still teaching, she became a founding member of Axiom of Choice, a groundbreaking Iranian fusion band who opened the way for subsequent musicians working in the style; they recorded Beyond Denial (Faray-e Enkaar) (1996), Niya Yesh (2000), and Unfolding (Goshayesh) (2002).