Lian Band are a leading folkloric ensemble led by Mohsen Sharifian. A master of the ney-anbān (Persian Gulf bagpipe), Sharifian has dedicated his career to preserving and reinventing the folk music of southern Iran. In 1993 he founded the Lian Band, now one of the country’s most acclaimed traditional ensembles. Together with Lian band, Sharifian has performed in over 30 countries, captivating audiences with the energetic rhythms and melodies of Boushehr. Their work blends deep respect for ancient Persian musical heritage with contemporary creativity, embodying the very spirit of a progressive cross-cultural dialogue. Sharifian is joined by his daughter Liana Sharifian, Iran’s first female ney-anbān player, and vocalist Aka Safavi, among other traditional musicians from the Bushehr region.
Lian Band, joined by celebrated instrumentalist and Kalkadunga man William Barton, stop by PBS for a special Studio 5 Live session ahead of their string of shows across the country. Listen back to Global Village for this exclusive live performance and interview.
Check out a clip of Lian Band and William Barton performing 'Zigoorat' live in Studio 5 below:
