Zand Vakili

Zand Vakil (1941-1991)

Vocalist performing Persian classical ballads (tasnif) and singing (avaz) (1966-1987). Having received his education from Sulayman Amir Qasimi (1882-1957), a well-known vocalist of the Qajar period, he performed on Tehran Radio beginning in 1968, before appearing on television a few years later. His warm voice, dervish-like character, and his sensitive, refined spiritual disposition made Zand Vakil (his original name was ‘Ali Asghar Zand Vakili) a much beloved and popular personality. He sang in some of the Barg-i sabz 200. Owing to the envy of certain musicians who were granted administrative positions following the 1979 revolution and used their power of influence to subvert him, he was unable to carry on his activities in the field of music after the Revolution. Their spite and hatred eventually brought him to his knees and led to his death. No solo album of his has been released to date.