Biography
Faranak Shahroozi is an Iranian-American concert pianist and composer known for her lyrical, romantic and captivating melodies. Her beautiful musical touch has placed her amongst world-renowned instrumentalists such as Yo-Yo Ma and David Garrett. Her style of composition has been compared to Francis Lai’s Love Story and Nino Rota’s The Godfather.
Faranak’s passion for music started at 5 when her parents hired a private tutor to teach her basic musical notes and theory. Following the revolution of 1979, her world as she knew it changed forever. At the start of the Iran-Iraq War in 1980, Faranak and her parents left their hometown of Abadan and moved to Tehran.
In 1984, Faranak moved to the United States, where she pursued her passion for music and received a B. A. in Classical Piano Performance from San Jose State University, California. The dramatic changes in her life had a direct effect on her musical abilities and emotional connections, which led to a series of musical compositions which ultimately captured the attention of famed producer Preston Glass.
By the late ‘90s, Faranak became the face of music in Napa Valley, where she lived and performed for many years. With Glass’s help, vision and collaboration with stars such as Lenny Williams from the soul/funk group Tower of Power, Syreeta Wright, and the endorsement of the legendary vinter Robert Mondavi, her first album, titled “La Musica De La Vigna,” was produced. One song, “Helplessly Falling” was featured in the “Down ‘n Dirty” film starring Gary Busey. She has performed with saxophonist Boney James, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Jesse Cook, Ottmar Liebert and many more.
Faranak’s second album, Eternal Love was produced by Adam Ivy and released in 2012. From this album, her song “Remembering the 80s” was placed in Johnathan Moch’s feature film, Playing the Crease.
During the pandemic Faranak got back with her long time friend and producer Preston Glass, and released 10 singles between 2021-2022.
In 2023 Faranak participated in Jingle Bell Rock Around the World project as she sang a duet with the late American icon, Bobby Helms on Jingle Bell Rock – English – Farsi Version. The same year, her song, Persia, was played-listed on Spotify’s Women of Iran for Woman Life Freedom movement! Faranak has made many musical donations to her favorite charities; MAP, Mothers Against Poverty and PETA, People for Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Faranak Shahroozi was honored to perform her piano rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine, for Dr. Jill Biden at The Congressional Club First Lady’s luncheon 2024!
