Ali-Akbar Moradi was born in Gooran of Kermanshah in 1957 and is the leading tanbur player of Kurdistan, Iran. He began playing tanbur at the age of seven. At age of 12, Moradi began studying with tanbur masters such as Vali Hosseini, Mahmoud Alavi, and Allahmouradi Hamedi. He was 30 years old when he completed the entire 72 maqams of tanbur. Moradi's professional career began in 1971 as a founding member of the first tanbur ensemble in Kermanshah. He has won many awards, including two honorary diplomas at major music festivals in Iran. Moradi has a very distinct style in playing the tanbur. He has performed as a soloist and with ensembles in festivals throughout the world. He currently teaches tanbur in Kermanshah and Tehran.