Echoes of Rumi

Echoes of Rumi is a transformative musical journey that breathes new life into the timeless poetry of the 13th-century mystic. Across seven deeply moving tracks (all except “Silence”), I collaborated with Mr. Mehdi Sayahzadeh—a renowned Rumi scholar and published author, and his daughter, Nazila Sayahzadeh, whose voices carry the weight and wonder of centuries.

For nearly two years, I pursued this collaboration, driven by the belief that Rumi’s teachings are more vital now than ever. When Mr. Sayahzadeh finally agreed, we shared long, heartfelt conversations about why this project mattered. We wanted to keep Rumi’s words alive, not as museum relics, but as vibrant, living truths. Mr.Sayahzadeh hand-selected each poem he felt was right for this vision.

We recorded together in my Los Angeles studio across two extended sessions. From their powerful recitations, I spent months composing the music, surrounding their voices with contemporary beats, mystical atmospheres, and most importantly, the soul of traditional Persian instruments. I felt that including the Ney, Tar, Santoor, and Daf was essential, not just for authenticity, but to bring emotional depth and cultural resonance to every track. These instruments weren’t just accompaniment—they became lead voices in the music, standing shoulder to shoulder with Rumi’s words.

The album’s only exception is “Silence,” written by my longtime collaborator Shadow. Originally composed in 2012, we reimagined it for this album, as its spirit aligned so deeply with Rumi’s teachings.

Together, these seven songs form a bridge between East and West, past and future, silence and sound, inviting listeners into the mystical heart of Rumi’s universe.

I hope you enjoy listening to this work as much as I enjoyed making it.