Arsi Nami

Arsalan Nami (Persian: ارسلان نامی‎) (born May 21, 1984 in Shiraz) better known as Arsi Nami,^[1] is a Swedish-Persian actor, singer, songwriter, music therapist and philanthropist living in Los Angeles, California. Credits include music on Fox TV shows Bones (TV series) and The Goodwin Games ^[2] as well Cannes Film Festival Entr'2 Marches winning film Love is Blind ^[3] and Crown Prince of Heaven.^[4] He is known for contributing to the special needs and disability communities through music therapy and film. He was the lead actor and composer in drama short film, Love Is Blind, which won the 2017 Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches for sharing disability awareness.^[5] Arsi Nami was also named as a Judge in the panel of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival International Entr'2 Marches^[6] He was the lead actor in Children's Hospital Los Angeles production "Healthcare in the Cloud", a project that has raised over $8 million for children's vision health, ^[7] as well as portraying a manic depressed painter named Vincent, in 2017 European Cinematography Award-winning Drama short film Camelia.^[8] His commercial acting credits include giant brands such as Google, Prada, Facebook, Hewlett Packard, BMW, KIA, Ford Motor Company, Samsung, Disney, NBA, Guitar Center and Los Defensores to name a few. He was also nominated for Best lead male actor in comedy film Villa, a 2017 Official Selection at Premio Tortoreto alla Cultura in Italy, AM Film Festival in Egypt and International Festival of Short Films on Culture & Tourism, India. His modeling work include brands such as Carriere Menswear, ETON of Sweden, FriarTux, Mens Wearhouse and Canali.

According to MTV.com, he is listed as one of the few award-winning multilingual Pop Singers and Music Therapist outside of Iran. He is also known to be the first Iranian to introduce Music Therapy to the Iranian population, where music is used to help increase quality of life for individuals with psychological and physical deficits. He is also being a philanthropist contributing and helping communities in need, such as special needs kids and individuals with disabilities.^[9]

His National TV breakthrough started when he was 17 years old, participating on Sikta Mot Stjärnorna (Aiming at the Stars), a national talent show program televised on TV4 (Sweden).^[1] organized by FremantleMedia (American Idol). After two auditions where 4000 participated, he became one of the 45 to enter the show singing "Hero" (by Enrique Iglesias) live on national television, winning the second place award.^[10]

Music

Arsi Nami's music has been featured on several TV Shows, films and video games.

His song "She Wants to Fly" (feat. Levi Whalen) was featured on Fox TV show Bones (TV series) on May 12, 2014.^[11] The song was originally written for Freedom in Iran during the 2009 Presidential Elections and has previously been featured on the soundtrack of Cannes Film Festival movie Crown Prince of Heaven in 2010.^[12] It has also been broadcast on major TV networks around the world such as Peace Day Television show which has featured world figures Dalai Lama, Bono, U2, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie etc.^[13]

His dance-pop song "Never Be Lonely" (feat. Levi Whalen) was on June 3, 2013 featured on Fox TV show The Goodwin Games^[14] "Never Be Lonely" is also featured as the dance track for the web video game Good Game Disco^[15] made by 2012/2013 award-winning European Game developer Goodgame Studios.

He also composed the Official Film Soundtrack for Love Is Blind, which won the Jury Prize at 2017 Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches, as well as being the Official Selection for the 2017 WE Care Film Festival, India and nominated as Best Short in 2017 Hollywood Screening Festival.^[16]

His song "Paradise" (feat. Levi Whalen) was on May 1, 2015 voted as #1 song at top 100 Indie Dance/Disco chart on Spinnin' Records Talent Pool^[17] The song was also voted as number 1 song at March top 10 House dance chart on House Charts.com^[18] His pop music with his cultural musical blend of Eurodance, World Rhythms and Electronica. Arsi Nami is also known for writing and performing his works for Freedom, Human Rights and Health foundations with all music & lyrics written by him.^[19] His music is multilingual, which includes songs released in English, Spanish, Italian and Swedish.

Arsi Nami joins Andrea Bocelli, The Beatles and Elvis Presley for releasing Consuelo Velázquez famous song "Bésame Mucho", via Shiraz Records, which makes it the first Duo/Latin house version in history, produced by Levi Whalen and co-sung with singer Jacqueline Padilla.^[20]

On April 21, 2013, Arsi Nami became the first artist to release his Pop Electronic and Progressive House rendition of world-famous Italian song "Caro Mio Ben" featuring UK based producer Kryphon. "Caro Mio Ben" was written by Italian composer Giuseppe Giordani, and made famous by Luciano Pavarotti.^[21] He is the executive producer of Caro Mio Ben music video which had world premiere on MTV.com on August 9, 2013. He has also co-directed, produced, and edited two of his music videos "100 Miles" and "Heaven Knows", which have been broadcast through mainstream medium giants such as MTV UK and featured at the Laemmie Theaters Santa Monica SMC Film Festival.

On January 14, 2012, Arsi Nami was signed by music publishing company Winogradsky/Sobel to have his music pitched for television, film and video games etc. becoming the first artist in the company representing Pop/Euro-Dance and World Music genre^[22]

Arsi Nami's single "Miracle" (feat Si Ana) released February 2012 via Royalty Recordings was featured for ten weeks on world's largest dance music store Beatport as Top Staff Pick in the pop/rock category. Arsi Nami's music is also listed on FairShareMusic, with profits going to human rights and health support organizations such as Red Cross, War Child, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, Amnesty International, Cancer Care & Research etc.

Music therapy

According to MTV.com, Arsi Nami is also known for being the first Iranian to introduce music therapy to the Iranian population,^[9] where music is used to help increase quality of life for individuals with psychological and physical deficits. That includes his several TV appearances on giant Iranian media television stations such as IRAN TV, Radio 670am KIRN Los Angeles with award-winning journalist, author Homa Sarshar, Mardoom TV and TinTV and invitations to speak at UCLA. He has been awarded several scholarships and awards for his music therapy practice and accomplishments. His recent awards include:The 2014 James R Simpson Merit Scholarship awarded by President Dianne Harrison of California State University, Northridge, The Royal Swedish Music Academy Award in 2013 and the Bayramian Art Scholarship Award in 2012 and 2013, for his music therapy studies and accomplishments. Arsi Nami does also spend his time making motivational and guest speaking appearances. Speeches include Music Therapy, the positive influence of music on children and his music and cultural journey from Iran to Sweden to Los Angeles. His speeches also include leading instrumental music improvisation and therapeutic music instrumentation with the audience. Invitations include Stand Up to Cancer at UCLA, Music Entrepreneurship classes at California State University, Northridge, Music For Your Heart Foundation in Miami, Children's Boosh Foundation in Los Angeles, International Children Foundation in Santa Barbara, Cottage Health System in Santa Barbara and California State University, Channel Islands.^[23]

Arsi Nami is also the author of "The Effects of Music Therapy on Movement and Vocalization in Adult Male with Intellectual Disability and Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study and Treatment Plan", a clinical case study on how music therapy interventions on individuals with disabilities is so effective that it can help increase their speech and improve physical skills, which in turn can assist individuals with disabilities to communicate within their community more clearly and making their inclusion easier. He emphasizes on how vocalization aids in the development of functional communication skills, helping individuals with Intellectual Disabilities communicate their specific needs, wants, and discomforts within the community, which will help increase their personal independence and quality of life.^[9]

Acting, TV and Commercials

Arsi Nami took on the acting career after going through a car accident followed by a heartbreak. He attended acting workshops part of his rehabilitation. His passion for acting grew as he auditioned for the role of a blind man in Love is Blind, a population which he had been working for since he was 16 years old within healthcare and music therapy. The drama short film, Love Is Blind, went an won the 2017 Jury Prize at Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches and an received an official selection at WE Care Film Festival in India, becoming a worldwide success for promoting disability awareness.^[24] Arsi Nami did also compose the Official film soundtrack of Love is Blind which was also nominated as Best Short in 2017 Hollywood Screening Festival. Arsi Nami was also named as a Judge at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival International Entr'2 Marches^[6].Arsi Nami then continued giving back to the disability community through film as he also starred as the lead actor in Children's Hospital Los Angeles production "Healthcare in the Cloud", a production directed by award-winning director Clay Westervelt and Dr. Thomas C Lee which that has raised over $8 million for children's vision health. Healthcare in the Cloud premiered at 2018 Society of Camera Operators Lifetime Achievement Awards with invited guests such as academy award-winning actress Meryl Streep.^[25] . With Arsi Nami's experience of working with population with mental health disorders, he took on the leading role of manic depressed painter, Vincent, in Camelia. A film that came to win the 2017 European Cinematography Award. He was also the lead actor in comedy film Villa, an 2017 Official Selection at Premio Tortoreto alla Cultura, Italy and International Festival of Short Films on Culture & Tourism, India. Arsi Nami also composed the soundtrack for Love is Blind as well as being the poster and art director. He also acted as the lead actor in comedy film Villa, an Official Selection in 2017 IFFC International Film Festival in India. Commercials include: Disney, Kia, BMW, Cadillac, HP, Samsung, NBA, Vivo Phone China, Guitar Center, Independence Day Resurgence, Westin Hotels, Clorox, El Vato, Los Defensores etc.^[8]

Philanthropy

Arsi Nami Co-Founded Non-Profit Organization Opportunitree to help the community, children, elderly and individuals with disabilities.^[27] He spends a lot of time doing humanitarian work, raising awareness for human rights and health support organizations. He has been involved and contributed to charities such as:Red Cross, War Child, Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, Amnesty, WWF, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK and ActionAid. He is also active bringing the importance of Music, Music Therapy to the community, children, elderly and individuals with disabilities. Arsi Nami's major contribution was by sharing disability awareness through of Drama film, Love Is Blind. Arsi Nami portrayed the lead blind actor as well as composing the official film soundtrack. The film was awarded the 2017 Jury Prize award at Cannes International Film Festival Entr'2 Marches, as well as official selection at WE Care Film Festival, India.

Arsi Nami's song She Wants To Fly was also written for Freedom and Human Rights in Iran, which has been featured at Peaceday TV and Cannes Film Festival short Film Crown Prince of Heaven. He has also been a guest artist at Charities such as: Children's Boosh Foundation at Taglyan Place, Los Angeles, Music for your Heart Foundation in Miami, Stand Up 2 Cancer at UCLA, International Children Foundation in Santa Barbara to name a few.

His music is also listed on FairShareMusic, with profits going to human rights and health support organizations.^[28]

Education

Arsi Nami graduated with honors on May 19, 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy from California State University, Northridge. He graduated with honors, Music A.A from Santa Monica College and a Music and Media Composing degree from ITM Sweden.

Awards and nominations

Guest appearances and performances

Music releases

Featured songs

Books

Arsi Nami, the author of "The Effects of Music Therapy on Movement and Vocalization in Adult Male with Intellectual Disability and Cerebral Palsy: A Case Study and Treatment Plan", where he shows a clinical case study on how music therapy interventions on individuals with disabilities is so effective that it can help increase their speech and improve physical skills, which in turn can assist individuals with disabilities to communicate within their community more clearly and making their inclusion easier. He emphasizes on how vocalization aids in the development of functional communication skills. It also helps individuals with Intellectual Disabilities communicate their specific needs, wants, and wants, and discomforts within the community. Improving gross motor skills would help individuals to increase their personal independence, not only at the day care center but also in the community. In general, both vocalization and gross motors skill development helps to improve the self-help skills of individuals with disabilities, which in-turn increases quality of life. - Clinical Case Studies [22]

Basketball

As a teenager, Arsi Nami played as a Shooting guard (SG) in the team Brahe Basket in Sweden. He accomplished receiving 2 Most Valuable Player Awards as the best player in Jönköping during the 1995/1996 and 1996/1997 season and 1 Most Valuable Player Award as the best player of Southern Sweden during the Swedish Championship Basketball Competition in 1997/1998 season.^[40]

References

External links

• Official Page
• Instagram
• IMDb
• Fanpage
• Arsi Nami bio on The Corsair Santa Monica
• Arsi Nami on Google Play
• Arsi Nami on Amazon
• Arsi Nami on Google Books
• Arsi Nami on iTunes