Nader’s message of “We are all one” resonated throughout his music
A man of many talents within the music world, Canadian/Iranian Nader Khaledi is a highly accomplished fusionist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who is undoubtedly becoming one of this generation’s most visionary artists. Nader’s compositions are a fascinating blend of Eastern, Spanish, and Western influences; providing a fresh take on jazz and flamenco music that connects profoundly with his Iranian roots and culture. A master in his craft, Nader possesses a natural skill in every aspect of his musical career, bringing musical compositions to life with his own signature flair.
Was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to become an artist/composer?
My passion for music began at 5 years old when I was introduced to traditional Persian drums. As a child, I also discovered the piano and was hooked. My mother was the first person to see my potential. However, my defining moment came years later when I immigrated to BC in 2009. The language and cultural barriers were difficult and I became depressed. In Iran, I was playing a mix of Persian and flamenco music, but that wasn’t getting me hired in Vancouver. After a year, I started composing again … that is when I knew I wanted to continue to pursue music.
How would you best describe your sound?
My sound is the essence of my soul, the culmination of all of the cultures that have influenced me. Those cultures manifest themselves by uniting the complex harmonies of jazz with the modern sounds of flamenco.
What are your career highlights so far?
A highpoint was when the Ambassador of Spain in Iran honoured me with a prize for my music. A dream come true for me was studying and performing at the Cristina Heeren Flamenco Art Foundation in Spain, under some of the greatest Spanish guitarists, like Pedro Sierra, Niño de Pura, Paco Cortés, and Eduardo Rebollar, who were my professors and idols.
Another of the highlights of my career was performing 10 concerts throughout Europe in 2015 as part of the Roma Jazz Ensemble’s tour “We Are All One Nation,” sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts. I performed alongside some fantastic musicians who truly changed my music.
Lastly, I was invited to write musical scores for documentaries/movies in Iran from 2006 to 2022. “The Depths of Square”, an award-winning documentary’s music score that I composed was awarded in the Isfahan Film Festival in 2013.
How has the current jazz and/or flamenco landscape influenced your own approach to music, especially as far as writing and experimentation are concerned?
The flamenco guitar has an Eastern sound to it, with roots in Persian and Arabic cultures. My approach to flamenco is to westernize it a little. I believe flamenco is a bridge that connects East to West. Meanwhile, one of the defining characteristics of jazz is its rich harmony. Today’s jazz adds lots of different colours to my music. By blending jazz and flamenco, I can create lots of beautiful harmonies.
“My sound is the essence of my soul,
the culmination of all of the cultures
that have influenced me.”
Where did the inspiration/vision for your new album come from?
I named my inaugural album, Jolfa, (released in May 2023), as it is the name of the neighbourhood I grew up in – a neighbourhood in the city of Isfahan in Iran. Jolfa intersects many different religions and cultures; just as my music does. My album features 10 songs, all of which have different instrumentations, themes and unique sounds. I collaborated with many musicians from Iran and BC. It took me 10 years to complete this album, which also includes some songs that I composed for movies back in Iran.
P.S. Jolfa can be streamed on major platforms like Spotify.
What or who has influenced you most in your life as a composer/singer?
It’s really hard to name just one person who has motivated me … I’m inspired by so many musicians and composers. If I have to name some, it would be the legendary flamenco guitarist, the late Paco de Lucia, credited with modernising the Spanish Gypsy tradition. I also admired the great American jazz pianist, the late Bill Evans, who influenced the harmonic language of jazz piano with his innovative interpretation of jazz.
Walking down the street also inspires me. Every day, I walk into different cafes and observe people. Music is all about the ups and downs of life, and much of my inspiration today is a reflection of my personal life.
