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Today we are pleased to bring you J. Ralph and Norah Jones for their duet, “Dust & Ash,” which is featured in The Voice of Dust & Ash, a film that documents the incredible untold story of monumental artist and humanitarian Maestro Mohammad Reza Shajarian.
When Iran’s ayatollah banned music and performances in the entire country, instruments and records became contraband, and artists were exiled, imprisoned, and executed. While the government crushed human rights and self-expression, Mohammad Reza Shajarian risked everything to confront the regime, singing truth to power and uniting the country in a chorus of millions strong. His life-long pursuit of equality, free speech, and human rights are immortalized for generations to come, through his majestic, soaring vocals and lyrics. His internationally renowned hymn, “Morghe Sahar”, performed at the finale of all his concerts is widely considered the Unofficial National Anthem for Iranian Freedom.
“Dust & Ash” features music and lyrics by three-time Academy Award-nominated composer/activist J. Ralph and performed by J. Ralph and nine-time Grammy-winning artist Norah Jones featuring a solo by Mojgan Shajarian, the film subject’s daughter.The significance of Mojgan Shajarian’s solo performance as the crescendo of the song, is not simply a creative decision, but rather a moment of bold activism. To this day, solo female artists are forbidden to record or perform publicly in Iran. This same brazen act is what saw her previously exiled from her country. The team originally planned on creating a collaboration with Maestro Mohammad Reza Shajarian but he tragically passed away before that could be completed. The film’s finale featuring the song sees the proverbial torch passed to his daughter from the man once considered “the Voice of Iran.”
“With the original song ‘Dust & Ash,’ we wanted to create something for the film that would honor Maestro Shajarian’s legacy and help amplify his message of freedom, human rights and self-expression,” said J. Ralph. “It was a great privilege to be involved in the project and create this duet with Norah Jones featuring Maestro’s daughter, Mojgan Shajarian. Her striking, bold solo at the finale of the song is the bridge to her late father’s voice and carries the torch of his incredible artistry and advocacy.”
