Before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, and after the end of the Iran-Iraq war, Payvar travelled internationally as a cultural ambassador for Persian music, performing in North America, Great Britain, Continental Europe, various Soviet Republics and Japan. During the 1960s and 1970s he recorded a number of albums for French labels. Among his albums still available are two volumes devoted to the works of tar player Darvish Khan, as well as Iran: Persian Classical Music, for the Elektra Nonesuch label, 972060-2, which was recorded on a 1973 tour of America and featured the female singer Khatareh Parvaneh.
