Flight Artist of the Month: Zooz

From discovering The Beatles in a remote Iranian village to building his own ukulele, Mohammad “Zooz” has followed a unique path into the world of music. Based in Iran, Zooz is a musician, teacher, and longtime ukulele enthusiast whose connection with the instrument has grown into both a career and a way of life.

His musical journey began with a love for The Beatles and older styles of music, eventually leading him to discover jazz, folk, and the ukulele. After searching for nearly a year for what he thought was a “small guitar,” Zooz eventually discovered the name of the instrument and, unable to find one in Iran at the time, decided to build his own.

Today, the ukulele has been Zooz’s main profession for around seven years. He teaches, creates music, and has spent many years building instruments, while continuing to explore the connection between music, people, and everyday life.

We caught up with Zooz to talk about growing up in Iran, discovering the ukulele, his love for jazz and folk music, his connection with Flight, and why he believes the ukulele is an instrument that truly belongs to everyone.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your musical background?

My real name is Mohammad, but you can call me Zooz. I live in Iran. A lot of people ask me what “Zooz” means. Actually, it’s a name one of my teachers gave me when I was studying art at university, and there’s a long funny story behind it. :))

I grew up in a small village in Iran and lived there until I was 16. Then I moved to Shiraz to study art. I never had the chance to study music academically, but music had a big place in my life from a very young age.

The Beatles were a huge part of that. I still find it a little strange that I discovered their music while living in a remote village. I loved music so much that, before I left the village, my older brother bought me a guitar as a gift. But I quickly realized that guitar wasn’t really my instrument.

I didn’t pick up another instrument right away. Instead, I started studying music on my own and exploring different styles and musicians. That’s where my musical journey really started.

How did you first discover the ukulele, and what drew you to it?

I first noticed the ukulele because of The Beatles. I saw George Harrison playing one and was fascinated by how such a small, almost huggable instrument could have such an intimate sound.

I started looking for one, but I didn’t even know what it was called. I was actually searching for a “small guitar,” and apparently I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know the name. :))

I spent almost a year looking for a small guitar before I finally found out that it was called a ukulele. Then I discovered that it was basically not available in Iran at that time. So I started researching it and decided to build one myself.

My first ukulele was handmade by me.

How would you describe your style as an artist?

I would describe my style mainly as jazz and folk. I’ve never really been a very modern person when it comes to music. Maybe not just when it comes to music. When I started studying music, I found myself going back to older music and spending a lot of time with it.

I think folk and jazz are the closest to what I hear inside myself. I love the freedom in these styles, but also the feeling in them. When I play, I want to have both: to express something real and still have the freedom to be myself.

What role does music play in your life today?

For about seven years now, the ukulele has been my main job, and I spend most of my time around it. I teach, make music, and for many years I also built instruments.

I spend every day with the ukulele, and it has become a part of almost everything in my life. My work, the way I express my feelings, the way I communicate with people, and even the way I go through everyday life are all connected to music and the ukulele.

How has your journey as a musician evolved over time?

I think my journey has changed the way I look at music and at life. Life and social relationships can be very complicated, and music is the way I know how to make things a little simpler for myself.

The ukulele gives me a safe and quiet place. The more I learn about music and the instrument, the stronger this feeling becomes. It has also changed the way I play. I’m less interested in very complicated or noisy music now.

I feel like music and the ukulele have become a place I chose for myself. It’s the kind of place where I feel I belong. My own ideal place.

What inspires you when creating or performing music?

My inspirations change over time. These days, people are probably my biggest inspiration.

I walk a lot, and I like watching people and the places around me. I also like talking to people and hearing their stories. Sometimes I try to look at the world from another person’s point of view and imagine what it looks like to them.

How did you first connect with Flight Ukulele?

As I started studying and researching the ukulele, I came across Flight quite early on.

Flight has always been important to me, not only because of the quality of the instruments or the wide range of models, but also because of the way the brand tries to bring different people together. And I love people. :))

I think Flight has done a lot to grow the ukulele community and connect people from different parts of the world. I like that it reminds us that music belongs to everyone, and that the ukulele can give people from very different places a common ground. Something simple and peaceful to share.

Do you have a favorite Flight model, and what do you like about it?

Definitely the Flight MUS2 Solid Mahogany Soprano Ukulele, the one I actually own myself. :))

It has a wonderful vintage spirit. I love that you can get a beautiful, barky sound from it, but at the same time, when you play melodies, you can get a lovely softness and delicacy from the notes. I really like that balance.

It also comes as a concert, but I’m crazy about sopranos. :))

Can you share a memorable moment from your musical journey?

I’m not really someone who puts my memories into categories. Every memory feels unique to me. :))

I have many memorable moments, but one that means a lot to me was performing together with around 20 amazing ukulele artists from different parts of the world for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, about five years ago.

It was amazing to see those artists accept my invitation. It meant a lot to me.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out on the ukulele?

I think the most important thing is simply to start. You don’t need to find the exact right place to begin or decide from the beginning where you want to go.

The ukulele is a small musical laboratory. You can start with it as a complete beginner and keep things very simple, or you can go deeper and explore a huge amount of musical knowledge. You can use it quietly on your own to express your feelings, play for a small group of friends, or stand on a big stage and make hundreds of people lose themselves in music.

Just start, and see where the instrument takes you. For me, the ukulele is a reminder that music belongs to everyone.