On February 28, vocalist and composer Elana Sasson is set to release Bahari Digar, the lead single from her upcoming album In Between (April 18). Setting the poetry of renowned Iranian writer Forugh Farrokhzad to original music, the song explores themes of impermanence, longing, and the search for belonging.
Rooted in Persian classical tradition, Bahari Digar is built on the evocative Nava mode, enriched by jazz-influenced harmonies and improvisation. The arrangement features ney, piano, double bass, and drums, where tradition and modernity converge. The ney, an ancient Persian flute known for its expressive microtonal capabilities, plays an improvisatory role, weaving through harmonic shifts in a rare dialog between Persian classical phrasing and jazz. Sasson’s voice delivers Farrokhzad’s verse with clarity and depth:
“How much longer must we go, from one spring to another?” تا به کی باید رفت از بهاری به بهاری دیگر
With this release, Sasson introduces a distinctive artistic vision, mixing Persian and Kurdish traditions with contemporary jazz and Mediterranean folk influences. Her music reflects a deep engagement with identity and duality, shaped by years of study with master musicians from Iran and Kurdistan and formal training at Berklee College of Music.
Bahari Digar offers a glimpse into In Between, an album that reimagines heritage through a personal and innovative lens.
Musicians: Elana Sasson on vocals; Santiago Bertel on piano; Manos Stratis on double bass; Victor Goldschmidt on drums; and Kaveh Sarvarian on ney.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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