Mehran was born and raised in Iran, until moving to the U.S. at age 14. This was when he started studying the guitar with his uncle, an accomplished musician who was well known in Iran. Mehran’s early musical interests were the blues and rock. He performed with many Chicago local rock bands, including “No Romeo,” which took him to Los Angeles to showcase for Electra and Virgin records.
Then, he discovered Flamenco, and began to study Flamenco and classical guitar with Mr. Ted Rachine. Soon, Mehran embarked on many adventures to Spain, where he learned from guitarists he admired, such as Antonio El Muneco and Juan de Madrid, and Sevilla’s Rafael Mendiola. On Mehran’s latest voyages to Spain, he studied with Amir Haddad (Radio Tarifa). Recently, he has been fine-tuning canté accompaniment with Sr. Manolo Segura, who sang in the movie “The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca.”
Back in the U.S., Mehran has completed extensive guitar studies with Soulfood recording artist Pedro Cortes; Narada recording artist Chuscales; Michael Hauser; Arturo Martinez; Jacco Müller; Greg Wolf; Paulino Garcia; and learned jazz guitar with Bobby Broom. Mehran also plays guitar for Maya Tatiana, flamenco dancer, singer and choreographer, and former member of the Jose Greco Company. They have been performing together since 1998.
As both a soloist and accompanist, Mehran has performed with Northeastern University’s “Ensemble Español,” Azucena Vega Company, “Soul Y Duende,” and “Los Preferidos.” His performance venues have included the Old Town School of Folk Music, The Chicago Cultural Center, and many colleges and universities. Mehran has been a member of the guitar faculty at the Old Town School since 2002.
Started at the Old Town School in January of 2002
