Close
Nasser Cheshm Azar was born in January 1951 in Ardabil, Iran. At the age of five, he moved with his family to Tehran, where he began his musical journey under the guidance of his father, the late Esmaeil Cheshm Azar, a renowned Azerbaijani musician.
From a young age, Nasser chose the accordion as his instrument and simultaneously mastered music theory. His passion for music and exceptional talent led him to join the Azerbaijani Orchestra of Radio Iran at just 12 years old, performing alongside his father. By the age of 13, he had won first prize in accordion performance in a high school competition and continued his artistic pursuits through the Fine Arts Administration, delving into the folkloric, Armenian, Assyrian, and Iranian musical traditions until he turned 16.
At 16, he embarked on his first international venture, performing in the United Arab Emirates with notable singers of the time. A year later, he conducted a concert for the Iranian Embassy in Iraq. By 18, he was leading concerts across European countries, including a tour with the legendary Googoosh. Two years later, he traveled to the United States to complete an intensive jazz music program.
Upon returning to Iran, Nasser Cheshm Azar became the conductor of the orchestra for Parviz Gharib Afshar’s popular television show and collaborated with various radio and television orchestras as a director.
He further refined his craft under the tutelage of esteemed Iranian masters such as Morteza Hannaneh and the late Dr. Malek Aslanian, studying orchestration, harmony, and instrumentation. At the age of 25, he composed a modern instrumental piece based on the “Chaharmezrab” by the legendary Ostad Abolhasan Saba, blending elements of jazz with the essence of Iranian music—a remarkable work that remains unreleased to this day.
This biography showcases the extraordinary journey of Nasser Cheshm Azar, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the world of music.
In 1978, Nasser Cheshm Azar returned to the United States to further his musical studies, focusing on film scoring and jazz over a five-year period. His works stand as a testament to his genius, establishing him as one of the most distinguished figures in Iranian music over the past several decades. Collaborating with prominent pre-revolutionary singers, his compositions marked a new era in Iranian music history. As an arranger, he immortalized hundreds of songs, working alongside renowned composers such as Parviz Atabaki, Sadegh Nojouki, Jahanbakhsh Pazouki, Hassan Shamaeizadeh, Siavash Ghomayshi, and others, introducing innovative arrangements that redefined Iranian music.
Cheshm Azar was a pioneer in introducing and popularizing electronic instruments in Iran, blending them masterfully with traditional Iranian music. His groundbreaking fusion created a distinctive identity that set him apart in the music world. His compositions transcend the ordinary, intertwining music with the human spirit to produce ethereal works that reflect a profound and contemplative view of existence.
In May 1984, driven by his love for his homeland, Cheshm Azar returned to Iran and resumed his artistic journey. He began composing music for films, creating several iconic and enduring works that enriched Iranian cinema.
On the morning of Friday, May 4, 2018, Nasser Cheshm Azar passed away in Tehran due to a heart attack. His funeral ceremony was held on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at Tehran’s Vahdat Hall, and he was laid to rest in the Artists’ Section of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery.
Master Nasser Cheshm Azar’s extraordinary contributions to music remain a lasting legacy, inspiring generations and leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Iran.