BIOGRAPHY

Born in Teheran, 1968. Although raised in a non-musical family, Peter found his deep interest in music by listening to the records that his family had collected from a variety of styles and cultures. Peter's father was an architect and inspired him with his creative activities and outspoken artstic thoughts. Peter eventually began to play musical instruments at the age of 6, and to compose at 14. Affected by his father's health problems, their family's finances forced Peter to follow his musical vocation mostly as an autodidact.

While in his teenage years, despite the strict ban on musical activity and the limits for performance and production of music, he managed to develop his skills as a multi-instrumentalist and a composer, while challenging his skills by making home recordings of his work and performing at private venues. Today he is known for his distinctive style of music that is inspired by an eclectic musical appreciation.

In 1987, he entered the Fine Arts Faculty of Teheran University to study painting and graphic design, the latter becoming his professional activities along his musical career.

While some freedom for musical performance was introduced in early 90's in the local society, he enetered Tehran music scene as a composer and a multi-instrumentalist, debuting as a member and co-founder of the group Âtin in 1994. It was actually the first public performance of non-classical, non-traditional, non-folklore music that recieved a 'permit' to take place since the 1979 revolution.

Atin didn't last for long and some members quit while Mehrab Moghadasian (bass), Naeem Sobhani (drums) and Peter kept together inviting Ali Farvardin (piano) to form Persiko Kwartet; the sole group in Tehran to explore jazz at the time. They never would have been permitted to perform publicly but their continiuous activity brought them the experience required for contemporary musicians.

In 2004, Peter assembled a workshop group by the name of "Peter Soleimanipour Ensemble". Inviting alternate musicians for musical events in order to develop their skills under a certain programme, the ensemble performed at some venues in Tehran.