Rana Farhan: Persian Soul

THIS IS A STANDING SHOW

Uniting two distant cultures through the power of music

Rana Farhan grew up in Tehran, lives in New York, sings in Persian and English, sounds like Billie Holiday, adores blues and jazz, and is — in almost every other way — a unique cultural product of both her native Iran and her adopted country, the United States. No one else does what Farhan does on albums and in concerts: She combines the rich oral traditions of Persia with the rich oral traditions that originated in black, American culture.

Rana continues to push boundaries with her latest album, Persian Soul, released on March 28, 2025. This new 10-track collection returns to the poetry of Rumi, weaving his timeless words into original compositions that blend blues, soul, and Persian influences in Rana’s signature style. With Persian Soul, she invites listeners on a fresh journey through love, longing, and transcendence — a testament to her ever-evolving artistry and fearless genre-defying spirit.

"Farhan’s sultry, hybridized song book is a revelation to anyone who thinks they already know the full range of blues music Jonathan Curial" – KQED San Francisco

"Seductive, exotic, and absolutely gorgeous, this Persian born artist’s voice could melt a blizzard." Jennifer Layton-Indiemusic.com