Zade Dirani is a twenty-five year old Jordanian composer and pianist passionate about playing his compositions that blend Eastern Arabic scales with Western contemporary influences. Dedicated to using his music to bring people together, his efforts have resulted in his CDs charting on Billboard, prestigious awards, friendships forged worldwide, and accolades including a feature in People Magazine . While the Washington Post called Zade a "Gorgeous pianist/composer/hunk," The Washington Times said of Zade: "Jordan 's leading cultural ambassador dedicates his music to building bridges of peace and tolerance."
He has released three CDs, which reflect his studies of each culture while attending the National Music Conservatory in Amman and the Berklee College of Music in Boston . His has performed before thousands in concert throughout the Middle East, Europe, and throughout the United States where he has taken "the road less traveled" to accomplish his goal.
In the wake of 9.11, Zade began with much trepidation, a house concert tour across America playing in people's living rooms, churches, temples, schools, and hospitals in a humble grass-roots effort to create a better understanding of his culture in the West. Ever since, he has been touring non-stop performing an average of 200 nights a year, earning praise for his efforts to combat world polarization. The intimate U.S. tour was so successful in fostering cultural discussions and understanding, that Zade was inspired to embark on a new mission.
After more than a year of planning and meeting with organizations all over the world, Zade will launch his most ambitious project ever in May of 2006 in Washington, DC under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, and in partnership with Berklee College of Music and Seeds of Peace.
Titled "Roads to You : Celebration of One World," Zade will lead 65 musicians from 40 nations, in a project that not only provides a wonderful evening of music, but showcases participants from war-torn regions coming together and working in an atmosphere of trust and team spirit. Musicians will not only perform Zade's compositions, but share their talent and heritage with fellow tour members; participate in cultural presentations at educational institutions and community/ civic functions in each city; with their host families and friends; and with their own families at home upon their return. Proceeds will support local charities and causes.
Music featured on the tour is comprised of Zade's three recordings. His most recent, to be released in October of '05 is titled "Beautiful World," inspired by his Middle Eastern heritage. His second CD, "Roads to You", was released in June of 2004 in the United States featuring Arabic and Latin influences performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir. The work is the collective effort of more than one hundred musicians from different parts of the world, and was recorded in Miami , Beirut , Prague , and Los Angeles . "Roads to You", remained on the Billboard Charts more than 20 weeks. His debut CD, self-titled Zade, was released in April 2003.The album was produced by multi-platinum producer Will Ackerman, and founder of Windham Hill Records, and featured a host of guest musicians from the Middle East and the United States including Charlie Bisharat on Violin ( Yanni, Shadow Fax ), Chris Chaney on Bass ( Alanis Morrissette, Jane's Addiction ), Gabriel Gordon on Electric Guitar ( Natalie Merchant ), and Imane Houmsey on Kanoon ( Fairouz, Julia Butros ). The album remained on the Billboard Charts for 13 weeks. The CD was supported with performances world wide, and an extensive "house tour" in the U.S.
Having been appointed by the government of Jordan as one of the six achievers that are leading the country into its new era, Zade was recently invited by King Abdullah and Queen Rania of Jordan to join them on the official state visit to the United Kingdom where he performed before Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family in London . In May of 2005, Zade performed at the Library of Congress in Washington DC in celebration of Jordan 's National Day by invitation from the Jordanian Ambassador to the United States , His Excellency Karim Kawar. He also performed at the finale of the World Economics Forum Extraordinaire 2003 in Jordan as well as for President Nelson Mandela at a tribute to the president organized by the United Nations Foundation and the Mosaic Foundation in Washington , DC . Other distinctive appearances include "Exploring Jordan" held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington , DC .
In October of 2004, Zade was awarded the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's Distinguished Achievements Award for his work that promotes global understanding through the arts. He has also received The Jordanian Ministry of Education Award for the Arts and The Arab-American Music, Art, and Literature (AMAL) Award.
To continue cross-cultural understanding through the arts, Zade has launched a new foundation, "The Zade Foundation for International Peace and Understanding" aimed at helping young musicians share with the world a deeper understanding of their cultures by offering them a unique opportunity to expand their roles from musicians to proactive peace builders and future community leaders.
Also check out Zade's time line/fact sheet. Click here to view it
