A Norooz Concert to Honor Iranians

In her project, Mitra Sumara, Yvette reshapes 60s/70s Iranian pop into contemporary funk and psychedelic tunes. Mitra Sumara made its mark with debut album Tahdig (Persian Cardinal, 2018), lauded as “rollicking Farsi Funk” (John Schaefer NPR) and “groovy, boundary-breaking” (PopMatters), and became part of the NYC-based international floating party Disco Tehran. Mitra Sumara’s Dream (Persian Cardinal, 2023), a collection of retro Persian hits that brings everyone to the dance floor with jazz-infused dance-groove arrangements of beloved international classics that harken to a bygone era of freedom and progress in Iran.

Yvette is a recipient of the 2022 NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music, and Theater grant, to support the production of Mitra Sumara’s second album, Dream. Mitra Sumara is the culmination of years of searching for her lost family and culture. It’s a celebration of community and connection; a tribute to the vibrancy of Persian culture and the freedom Iranian women and artists once enjoyed. Mitra Sumara has performed at the Smithsonian Freer Asian Art Gallery and the John F. Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in DC. The project is part of the family of music groups that perform as part of floating party Disco Tehran.

PERSONNEL:

Yvette Massoudi, Vocals

Ben Rubin, Bass

Jack Gruber, Keys

Ruben Coca, Drums

Joe Giordano, Trombone