Hosted at the La Jolla Community Center
Step into the ancient musical world of Turkmenistan with Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad, known by the honorific Oghlan Bakhshi, roughly translated as “prodigious child bard.” In this rare solo performance, he brings to life a centuries-old tradition of dutar (two-string lute) playing and bardic singing passed down through generations of nomadic storytellers. His strumming evokes the galloping rhythms of horses across the steppes, while his guttural vocal ornamentation conveys the full range of nomadic emotions—from love and longing to sorrow and heroic struggle.
Oghlan Bakhshi vividly animates epic tales of romance, bravery, and resilience, offering audiences a rare glimpse into a musical heritage seldom heard outside Central Asia, where history, nature, and oral storytelling are inseparably intertwined.
Following the performance, audience members will have the opportunity to engage with the artist in a Q&A session, gaining a deeper insight into Turkmen musical traditions and culture.
Tickets
General Admission: $35 | VIP Seating: $55
These concerts tend to sell out. Purchasing tickets in advance is highly advisable.
Complimentary valet parking is available for this event from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Please check in with an attendant near the venue entrance.
This is the third of six concerts in our 2026 Global Stage Passport Series. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter for more information about upcoming events.
About the Artist
Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad is at the forefront of Turkmen music. Born in 1993 into a musical family in Gonbad-e Kavus, in the Turkmen region of Iran, he began studying music at the age of six with his father, Abdolghaffar Geldi Nejad, a master of the gyjak (a type of spike fiddle).
At the age of ten, a council of Turkmen music masters conferred upon the young Geldi Nejad the title Oghlan Bakhshi—by which, as mentioned above, he is now known. He is only the second person in the past century to receive this prestigious recognition. Trained by esteemed Turkmen musicians, he has performed widely at festivals and world music programs across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Committed to scholarship as well as performance, Oghlan Bakhshi earned an MA in ethnomusicology at Wesleyan University and is currently pursuing a PhD in musicology and ethnomusicology at Brown University, further advancing the study and preservation of Turkmen musical heritage.
Oghlan Bakhshi is the first indigenous Turkmen musician and composer to bring the rich Turkmen traditional arts to Western audiences. His recent album, Journey Across the Steppes, marks the first international release of Turkmen folk music in 30 years.
Win an Unforgettable Phoenix Getaway at the Turkmenistan Concert! 🎶
We’re thrilled to announce an extraordinary raffle at this concert! One lucky winner will receive:
- Two tickets to the world-renowned Museum of Musical Instruments in Phoenix—home to rare artifacts from around the globe, including the dutar featured in our concert
- A voucher for 3 nights of luxury accommodations at a beautiful hotel in the heart of Phoenix, generously donated by American Football Association Ventures, LLC.
Why enter?
- Experience the world’s music at an inspiring museum
- Enjoy a luxury stay in vibrant downtown Phoenix
- See a dutar among hundreds of instruments worldwide
- Support world music education—100% of raffle proceeds benefit our programs
How to enter:
- Purchase raffle tickets at the concert (cash or Venmo)
- $5 for 1 ticket, $20 for 5 tickets
Winner announced during the event (must be present to win).
Don’t miss your chance for this incredible getaway and musical adventure valued at $950—all while supporting our mission to bring authentic global music to our community. Raffle rules can be found on our website.
2026 Sponsors
Global Visionaries
Pathfinders
Jane and Doug Wheeler
In Loving Memory of Mary Esser
Funders
This programming is supported in part by the American Indonesian Cultural & Educational Foundation, Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, a state agency, the City of San Diego Cultural Affairs, and Prebys Foundation.
