Jamal, a renowned visual artist and choreographer, was invited to join the AVAZ International Dance Theatre in 1990 because of his versatility in art and architecture, which give a special dimension and a unique vision to his approach for creating choreography. A native of Iran, Jamal acquired a deep knowledge of Iranian folklore and dance traditions because he traveled extensively in his native country.

His interest in creating choreography derives from his intense devotion to the exploration of movement, color, forms and space. Jamal believes deeply that Iranian dance can become a true art form if it is treated as a highly sophisticated choreographic and movement form for the performing stage. In a recent interview he stated that, "for me this dance tradition is like a form of ritual and requires serious approach for its presentation." Lewis Segal in the Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1995, enthusiastically praised Jamal's choreography and musical arrangement of the AVAZ work, usul-e daireh, as well as recent works in collaboration with Anthony Shay in 1997. Segal termed the two as "masters of antique Persian classicism."

In 1999, Jamal and Shay received the Lester Horton Award of the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles for "Outstanding Achievement in the Staging of Traditional Dance."

Jamal immigrated to the United States in 1975 to pursue a career as a professional performing and visual artist. In 1983, he completed his formal education, receiving a BA and MA in Fine Arts from California State University, Los Angeles. He began his career with AVAZ serving as associate director and choreographer and undertook the designing of lighting, sets, and costumes. Since 1998, he has served as co-artistic director and created several choreographies for the company in the past decade. He has deepened the AVAZ repertoire by serving as a master teacher and advisor in teaching workshops in traditional Iranian solo improvised dance. He has been invited to give a workshop for the Congress on Research in Dance (CORD) Conference at Pomona College, Dec. 2-4, 1999.

The following is a list of choreographies created for AVAZ by Jamal. A list of performace venues is also included. Because AVAZ is a repertory company each of Jamal's choreographies has been performed multiple times. For example, his classical version of shateri, has become the AVAZ icon. This depiction of "tough guys" from the south side of Tehran has inspired several Iranian artists to utilize elements of this choreography for their commercial videos. Shateri is performed in almost every AVAZ concert.

Dr. Anthony Shay stated, "He has single-handedly created a classical form from this beautiful movement and choreographic tradition. His unique choreographies are creating an historic moment in the history of Iranian dance."

For choreographic works click here.