In 2005 Sohrab, who calls himself later SoSaLa, started the Tehran-Dakar Brothers (TT-DB) in Tokyo with the Senegalese sabar player Wagane N’Diaye Rose who is the son of the famous sabar player Dou Dou N’Diaye Rose.
After moving to New York in 2008 Sohrab re-started TT-DB, with Massamba Diop (on talking drum and music director of Baaba Maal) and Mar Gueye (on sabar, a relative of Dou Dou’s)) who are also both from Senegal. (In December he recorded 5 tracks with them at Brooklyn’s BC STUDIOS.)
SoSaLa added many new NY musicians in order to keep his TT-DB fresh and energetic which is based on composed-improvised songs.
Fueled by improvisation, SoSaLa blends original melancholic melodies, and those of his native Iran, with Persian, African and African-American rhythms. His music molded by his international background. Altogether, he calls his music nu world trash, because his music is not just about entertaining people, but also to make them aware of social and political issues. Every song tells a deep story about people’s life, their struggle and their misfortunes. From the stage he loves to speak with the audience and also asks for participation.
He sings and performs spoken word in Farsi and English. And his lyrics are very direct and don’t show any poetic expressions. In fact, you can hear some dada-istic influences in his “Sprechgesang.” He wants to challenge the imagination of the musicians and the audience as well. On one hand he is very funny, but on the other hand very serious or angry. Why? Because he cares for people and can’t stand when people terrorize other people.
In addition to Massamba Diop and Mar Gueye following musicians have joined Sohrab:
Damon Banks (b), Swiss Chriss (dr), Derek Nievergelt (b), Alejandro Castellano (g), Kurt Dahlke (electronics), Satish (electric tr), Sylvain Leroux (fula flute), Piruz Partow (electric tar), Ladell Mclin (g). April Centrone (dr & per), Doron Lev (dr), Lukas Ligeti (dr), Al McDowell (b), John Kruth (electric mandolin), Brandon Ross (g), Michael Wimberly (djembe & dr), Lucas Jeanrichard (vibraphone), Jean-Marie Collatin-Faye (djembe) and Sheikh Tairou M’Baye (sabar). and many more.
2008
THE Tehran-Dakar Brothers at BC STUDIOS, December 1, 2008
The line up is: Masamba Diop (on tama/talking drum), Mar Gueye (on sabar) and Sohrab (on sax).
2011
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers @ MICHIKO STUDIO’s (NY), July 9, 2011
The line up: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Alejandro Castellano (guitar), Michael Wimberly (djembe & drums), John Austria (piano) and Lucas Jeanrichard (vibraphone).
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers Performing “Persian Flamenco” @ Zora Art Space, March 6, 2011
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Doron Lev (drums), Alejandro Castellano (guitar), Derek Nievergelt (bass) and Piruz Partow (electric tar).
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers (Brooklyn, NY) at Zora Art Space (NY) Jan 8, 2011. Performing Sad Sake
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Doron Lev (drums), Alejandro Castellano (guitar), Satish (electric trumpet) and Sylvain Leroux (fula flute).
2010
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers performing “Vatan Kojai?” @ Coco 66, NY, Sep 5, 2010
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Piruz Partow (bass, electric tar), Swiss Chris (drums, djembe) and Alejandro Castellano (guitar).
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers performing “Look At My Face” @ The Local 269 NY, July 12, 2010
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Derek Nievergelt (bass), Swiss Chris (drums) and Alejandro Castellano (guitar).
THE TEHRAN-DAKAR BROTHERS perform WELCOME NEW IRAN @ Nublu Feb 23rd, 2010
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Derek Nievergelt (bass), Swiss Chris (drums) and Alejandro Castellano (guitar).
2009
THE TEHRAN DAKAR BROTHERS play JA-JOU-KA @ Le Poisson Rouge NY Nov 16,2009
The line up is: Sohrab (sax & voc), Swiss Chriss (drums), Derek Nievergelt (bass) and John Kruth (on an ancient Egyptian clarinet, a low d penny whistle and a Gibson mandocello from the early 1900’s).
THE TEHRAN-DAKAR BROTHERS Live at the GERSHWIN HOTEL in NY Aug.8TH, 2009
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and vocal), Lukas Ligeti (drums), Ladell Mclin (guitar) and Al MacDowell (bass)
THE TEHRAN-DAKAR BROTHERS at THE STONE (NY), March 11, 2009
The line up is: Sohrab (sax and voc), Damon Banks (bass), Brandon Ross (gui), Jean-Marie Collatin-Faye (djembe) and Sheikh Tairou M’Baye (sabar).
2007
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers with Chiha (Tunesis) @ The Baron (Tokyo), December 2007)
The line up is: Wagane N’Diaye Rose (on sabar), Sohrab (on sax) and Chiha (on vocal).
2005
The Tehran-Dakar Brothers @ The DOO BEE FES (Tokyo), November 2005
The line up is: Wagane N’Diaye Rose (on sabar) & Sohrab (on sax)
