Shahab Paranj

Shahab Paranj (Persian شهاب پارنج) (born 1983, Tehran) is an Iranian-born contemporary concert music composer and instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. Known as a tombak virtuoso, he has played, recorded and collaborated with many highly respected artists and has performed in many festivals and venues around the world. His composition style integrates Persian and Western influences.
Education.
Paranj received his first BM in cello performance from the Tehran School of Music and a second BM in classical composition from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a Master's degree from Manhattan School of Music and currently completing his Ph.D. at the University of California, Los Angeles, under the tutelage of David Garner, Richard Danielpour, Ian Krouse and David Lefkowitz.
Career.
Acclaimed by "The San Francisco Examiner" as "impressive", and by John Adams as "unique", Paranj blends Persian rhythmic and melodic influences with Western texture and form. Recent commissions include works for ensembles such as the Aleron Trio, San Francisco New Music Ensemble, One Great City Duo, MSM symphony orchestra, International Low Brass Trio, Russian String Orchestra and Intersection Contemporary Music Ensemble. He has written the original score for the movie Dressage (film), the winner of 2018 feature film in the "Generation" section of the Berlin Film Festival.
Paranj is known for championing Persian classical music and culture throughout the world. His style blends Persian rhythmic and melodic influences with Western texture and form. 
A cellist and master of the tombak, he has played on more than 40 CDs with musicians all over the world, appearing at more than 100 well known festivals and venues, such as Lincoln Center in New York, Théâtre de la Ville in Paris, Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. He has collaborated with ensembles such as Shamss Ensemble and soloists such as Persian master Mohammad-Reza Shajarian. Other accomplishments include film scores for independent film companies and a collaboration with artist Taraneh Hemami and Arash Fayez.