Katayoun Goudarzi of the Saffron ensemble started reading and writing poetry at the age of seven in her native Tehran. Her distinctive melodic style of recitation blends an emotive rendition of the poetry with meticulous attention to the linguistic and lyrical integrity of the piece. Her accurate style is the result of decades of study and the fruits of this labor are evident in her writings and albums. Her albums include: "Dawning" with The Grammy award nominee Shujaat Husain Khan, saxophonist and composer, Tim Ries [of the Rolling Stones], Jazz Pianist and composer, Kevin Hays, and Tabla artist Abhiman Kaushal, "Delbar” with the master of Indian Sitar Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan and Abhiman Kaushal, “Shams” with Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan, Imamyar Hasanov and Abhiman Kaushal, “Hayran” with Imamyar Hasanov and, “Rooz O Shab, Poetry of Rumi” with Reza Derakhshani. In 2006 she published her first book, "Eshgh o Vahdat" an annotated selection of Rumi's ghazals. Katayoun resides in New Jersey. Her upcoming album with Ustad Majid Derakhshani, Shaho Andalibi and Arman Sigarchi will be released in 2011.