Miraz Musik: Bios

Miraz - Keyboards, Synthesisers, Percussion

Gary Miraz is known for his graphic design work in the music industry. A graduate of Otis-Parsons,He has worked with a long list of artists such as Persian singers Ebi and Siavash Ghoymashi and New Age artists Constance Demby and RAY. In 1998 Gary was hired by LA cellist Mystic Pete (KXLU DJ Host Sacerd Music) to join “Tonehenge” A world fusion Techno band which featured three singers. The band was successful to some degree and released one album, the self titled" Tonehenge" in 2002.

In 2000 Gary recorded an ambient album with former German pop star Suzanne Doucet entitled “Resonance” which has become a staple in the new age music scene and is played on countless radio stations around the world. “Suzanne and I knew each other since 1991 and we were doing design work and consulting for many artists." Gary recalls. “She is an amazing person who has done everything since being very young. I admire her so much. So when she approached me about doing something together I jumped on it. It changed my life as I knew it.”

The year 2003 Brought “Miraz” moving to Berlin, Germany, a lifelong dream of his.”Berlin is one of the most amazing, culturally notorious cities in the world.” Miraz states.  This move led him to work with German cellist Andrea Bauer’s to record her follow up album to her “Cello songs for silence” “ Andrea is an amazing composer and an excellent player. I learned so much from her.” The piece “song for Eli” from Andrea’s “Cello songs…” was featured in Asghar Farhadi‘s film “Darbareye Elly (About Elly)” the film won the silver bear award for best director at the 2009 Berlinale film festival.

In 2005, Miraz moved back to Los Angeles and began working with Sara Universe on “Hidden Soundtracks of the Found Mind” which is billed as “Miraz and Sara” The music on “Hidden” is a mix of world, techno, processed acoustics all highlighted by Sara Universe’s haunting vocals. "It really is an experiment on ideas that I had in my mind for many years." states Sara. "It was recorded sporadically over two years. Miraz played some of the tracks in Berlin at some gigs and parties and people were intrigued by the songs and vocals, this made Miraz come back and finish off the album here in Los Angeles. Tracks of the album can be heard on periodically on Radio Fardah in Europe and Radio KIRN in Los Angeles.

WORKS: BLAST AWAY (1996) TONEHENGE (1997) RESONANCE by Miraz and Doucet (2001) / THROUGH FIELDS OF STARS by Miraz and Paradiso (2002) / CIRCULAR by Miraz and Paradiso (2004)/ HIDDEN SOUNDTRACKS OF THE FOUND MIND BY Miraz and Sara (2005) / ONWARD by Miraz (2008) CELLO SONGS II by Andrea Bauer (2003) as Recording Engineer BEYOND INFINITY by Sara (2005) as Recording Engineer

Sarama - Vocals, Double headed Flute, Synthesisers and Percussion

Sarama (Sara Universe) studied music and the arts at Tehran University. she had it in her blood. Her uncle, Ferydoun Nassari was the head conductor for the Tehran symphony and a musicologist. At Tehran University she was surrounded by the future who's who of the now classical persian composers and instrumentalist. "Music and visual art was in the air in a turbulant time." Sara recalls. "It is really amazing what we all could accomplish later in our lives."

She has two solo albums. 2005’s Beyond Infinity” and soon to be released “Moments of Infinity”. These two works are deep instrumental ambient albums released on the Miraz Musik label, which is owned by both her and Miraz. "They are journeys that I transcribed to help people sleep and meditate, me being one of them.

Sarama is also a visual artist with a degree in illustration and has had many exhibitions, most recently in Los Angeles at Phantom Galleries. Both her solo albums show her handiwork as well.

"Sarama and I work so well together. We are a team ." Miraz explains. "Her vocals are haunting, delicate and powerful, she is instantly recognizable. Sara is also getting so much recognition from musicians and artist from around the world for her vocal and musical arrangements which always bring the compositions to life.

WORKS: BLAST AWAY (1996) Synthesisers, Yamaha CP70 / HIDDEN SOUNDTRACKS OF THE FOUND MIND (2005) Vocals, Synthesisers, Double headed Flute / BEYOND INFINITY (2006) Synthesisers / MOMENTS OF INFINITY (2011)

Miraz Ensemble - Band

The Miraz Ensemble was created in 2007 and is a more of a different approach than “Hidden Soundtracks…” The songwriting has grown to more of an orchestral, cinematic feel, perfect for film soundtracks. Sarama has included the literary works of Iranian poets Hafez and Rumi and various chants from around the world into her lyrics. “I feel we have reached a pinnacle to where we want to be musically for now,” states Sarama. “The audiences we have performed to also like the new material, it’s more listener friendly but does not fall into the mainstream."

“Technologically the ensemble is more efficient as well. ” explains Miraz. “We do not have to carry a ton of gear if we don’t have to. I can do everything without any playbacks or unreliable computers. And I can change my setup to nearly any size at a whim and do different versions of what we have done. We are very flexible.  Now we are setting up a live band comprising of one or two indigenous percussionists, Guitarist and Bass."

The Miraz Ensemble is now recording a new album which has gone through different incarnations since 2006. Demos and live recordings are posted at www.mirazmusik.com