Zade Dirani
| Zade Dirani | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 1, 1980 |
| Origin | Amman, Jordan |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist, Composer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Labels | ZD Records distributed by EMI |
| Website |
www |
Zade Dirani (Arabic: زيد ديراني, born in 1980), is a Jordanian and American pianist and composer whose genre blending songs are inspired by Arabic, Latin, pop, and classical music. He has performed before thousands around the world including Queen Elizabeth, Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela, amongst others.[1]
Work
He has released four CDs, which reflect his studies of each culture while attending the National Music Conservatory in Amman and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Audiences throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the United States have attended his performances held in various places. His albums have reached #3 on the US Billboard chart and is #1 on the Jordan charts. The CD for Zade’s latest epic project: One Night in Jordan debuted on Billboard at #2 on the New Age Chart, #5 on the Classical Crossover Chart, and #11 on the Overall Classical Chart. Zade’s accompanying DVD also debuted on Billboard’s Top DVD/Music Video Charts at #18. Zade has toured extensively throughout the U.S and other parts of the world. His wild popularity in Jordan has helped his albums consistently reach No. 1 on the Jordanian album charts.
Zade has been officially endorsed by YAMAHA pianos thus joining the very select artist roster of YAMAHA artists, playing and representing the brand's piano exclusively where ever he plays.
Roads To You: Celebration of One World
In 2006, Zade launched an ambitious project entitled "Roads to You, celebration of One World" in Washington, DC under the patronage of Queen Noor of Jordan.
Titled “Roads to You : Celebration of One World,” Zade lead 40 musicians from 18 countries, in a project that showcased participants from war-torn regions coming together and working in an atmosphere of trust and team spirit. Musicians didn't only perform, but shared their talent and heritage with fellow tour members; participate in more than 100 cultural presentations at educational institutions and community/ civic functions in each city; with their host families and friends; and with their own families at home upon their return. Proceeds will support local charities and causes.
The concert tour featured compositions from Zade’s three recordings which include his latest CD, “Beautiful World” released May 2, inspired by his Middle Eastern heritage. His second CD, "Roads to You", was released in June 2004 in the United States featuring Arabic and Latin influences performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. One of the cuts from the CD, titled “Kingdom of Peace,” was featured at the 2006 Winter Olympics as the Japanese Female Figure Skating Team competed to this song. That song, and the “Roads To You” CD is the collective effort of more than one hundred musicians from different parts of the world, and was recorded in Miami, Beirut, Prague, and Los Angeles. “Roads to You”, remained on the Billboard Charts more than 20 weeks. His debut CD, self-titled Zade, was released in April 2003, and featured a host of guest musicians from the Middle East and the United States including Charlie Bisharat on Violin, Chris Chaney on Bass (Alanis Morrissette, Jane’s Addiction), Gabriel Gordon on Electric Guitar (Natalie Merchant), and Imane Houmsey on Kanoon (Fairouz, Julia Butros). The album remained on the Billboard Charts for 13 weeks.[2] The CD was supported with performances worldwide, and an extensive “house concert tour” in the U.S.
One Night In Jordan: A Concert for Peace
Filmed at one of the oldest Roman Amphitheaters in the world in Amman, Jordan, One Night In Jordan: A Concert For Peace is a concert performance from Zade. Accompanied by musicians from over 40 nations, including London’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the London Voices. The album was released on February 9, 2010 by ZD Records and distributed by EMI. The concert DVD was released on March 9, 2010 by ZD Records and distributed by EMI. The concert was aired on PBS stations in 2010 and 2011.
Zade Foundation for International Peace and Understanding
To continue cross-cultural understanding through the arts, Zade has launched The Zade Foundation for International Peace and Understanding aimed at helping young musicians share with the world a deeper understanding of their cultures by offering them a unique opportunity to expand their roles from musicians to proactive peace builders and future community leaders.
Performances for public figures
Zade was invited by King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan to join them on the official state visit to the United Kingdom where he performed before Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family in London. In May 2005, Zade performed at the Library of Congress in Washington DC in celebration of Jordan's National Day by invitation from the Jordanian Ambassador to the United States. He also was invited to perform at the World Economic Forum Extraordinaire 2003 in Jordan. Zade has graced the stage at a tribute to President Nelson Mandela organized by the United Nations Foundation and the Mosaic Foundation in Washington, DC. Other distinctive appearances include "Exploring Jordan" held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC.
Awards
In October 2004, Zade was awarded the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's Distinguished Achievements Award for his work that promotes global understanding through the arts. He has also received The Jordanian Ministry of Education Award for the Arts and The Arab-American Music, Art, and Literature (AMAL) Award.
References
- ↑ "Inside The Beltway". washingtontimes.com. Retrieved 2010-01-07.