Music director and Master Musician Mohammed Nejad and his ensemble entertained a packed audience at San Jose City College for an hour with Middle Eastern music and dance May 11.

“This is the largest assemblage of musicians at SJCC from the Persian culture provided by Master Nejad and the dancing was very good,” Philosophy Professor Gerald Grudzen said. “This kind of event expresses the diversity of culture we have available to us at SJCC. It really displays that we are part of a global culture.”

Kamancheh (four-string violin-like instrument resting on the ground during performance) musician James Ritter has been with the group for seven years. He said he likes the group and how all the students work to enhance their culture and take it forward.

“I absolutely love Persian music, and it is a good opportunity for us to become closer to our roots,” Ritter said.

Nejad has been teaching music for more than 30 years and has been working with this current group for one year.

The Middle Eastern Celebration Event is an annual occurrence at SJCC since 2001.

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