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My city Abadan was the city of hope. The city that it's citizen
no matter where they grow up, or how many continents travel to,
they always claimed their birth right and demanded to be called
ABADANI. Yes I was born in Abadan. A city with diverse
population from all over the nation. A city that the Christian
Muslim Jews and Bahai kids could intermingle and play without a
scent of prejudice. A city that you could touch the walls of a
church and mosque in the same block. A city with so much love
and respect for the elders. A city that only the warmth of its
occupant heart surpassed its warm summer days.
After my father left this world for the other, I was going
through his photo album. My father Khaibar Tashnizi (Moradi)
worked for the National Iranian Oil Company N.I.O.C. Under the
direction of music teacher Mr. Alexander (Shoora) Michaelina. He
also played trumpet in Abadan Club Band that was his joy. As I
was looking at the old photos of his band, the memories of those
days in Bashgah Abadan club took flesh and took me back to days
gone by. The days that children with colorful clothes were
running on the green lawn, their parents enjoin the out door
theater and fragrant of flowers in the air gave you happiness.
I thought to myself that it would be a shame not to share these
old memories with the other Abadanis or Iranians. In the late
50's Mr. Alexander (Shoora) Michaelina a music teacher in
conjecture with N.I.O.C decided to start a Music Class for its
members and personnel. Soon after Abadan Band Club was born. The
move was so revolutionary for it's time .It even captured the
attention of Shah him self.
I remember a meeting among the director of Abadan Club and Dr.
Iqbal, the head of N.I.O.C. (I was 6 years old then and sitting
there, after all my dad was in the band). He indicated that "His
Majesty, Shah has heard about this Band and wanted to hear it in
his up coming travel to Abadan". Three weeks later Shah came to
Abadan for visit and he saw the Band. I was also among the fans
that day. According to Dr. Iqbal, His Majesty was very surprised
that there was such a Jazz band in Abadan! With Iranian
musicians! Nowhere else in Iran was "Jazz" popular or even well
known.
From then on the Abadan Club Band was performing in many cities
such as Ahvaz, Gachsaran, Masjed Solayman, Kharg Island and
Tehran etc... Here I have some photos from the era gone by which
I hope you will like. If you happen to know anyone in photos, I
would love to hear from you.
By Shahriar Tashnizi
Updated May 27, 2004
iranian.com unedited |
