ABOUT OMID
Omid Shayan is a tenor saxophonist and composer from Melbourne, Australia He grew up listening to a diverse range of music with influences ranging from Iranian folk, jazz, pop and classical music, all of which influence the music he performs and composes today.
He has been the recipient of various awards and grants including the 2024 Darebin FUSE Fund, the 2021 ABC Jazz Composer Commission and the 2020 Creative Victoria Music Industry Recovery Grant. He has released four albums as leader with his ensemble SHAYAN and plays regularly with a wide variety of groups.
Omid began studying piano at age 6 and switched to saxophone at 13. In 2004 he graduated from Melbourne University with his Comerce/Information Systems degrees and began a career as a software developer. However the musical urge was too strong and after three years, Omid quit his job to focus on music. In 2012 he was awarded Bachelor of Music from NMIT (now Melbourne Polytechnic), where he studied saxophone under the tutelage of Melbourne greats Julien Wilson, Tony Hicks, Bruce Sandell and Carlo Barbaro.
Omid has a very strong focus on community and the power of collective music making. From 2013-2019, he was composer and Musical Director of The Krysalis Project, an all-ages community big-band that rehearse and perform music ranging from classic big-band to contemporary original compositions. From 2019-2021 Omid was the Musical Director of Orkeztra Glasso Bashalde, an inclusive world music ensemble supporting Darebin-based musicians in developing musicianship and performance skills, and promote increased cultural awareness in the community through performances of music from different regions with particular emphasis on the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
He has been involved in music education for over fifteen years and has taught individuals and groups of all ages and abilities. He currently teaches clarinet, saxophone, piano and flute at Merri Creek Primary School as well as teaching privately in his studio in Preston, Victoria.
Omid's music brings to life his experiences as an Iranian-Australian migrant growing up in Melbourne. His musics hints at his roots and he plays contemporary jazz sax of very high quality.
- Ross Nable, Presenter of Impressions on PBS 106.7FM -