If you have ever met musician Harry Bedrossian I think one of the first things you would say about him is that he loves life, doesn’t take himself too seriously (as none of us should) and is an excellent musician. One of his passions that definitely fulfills his life is playing and appreciating music, specifically Middle Eastern music.

“I believe that feeling of euphoria whenever I perform our music…” said Bedrossian.

Harry started playing music at the age of 9 on the piano , eventually becoming classically trained. Growing up, The Beatles dominated the rock music scene and everyone that wanted to be in a band were either consumed by playing guitar or drums. Harry was no different growing up and wanted to play guitar, but the piano was the instrument of choice by his parents. This would have a lasting affect on Harry’s musical career.

When he turned 14, Harry was already listening to some of the great jazz musicians including pianist Oscar Peterson and his classical training turned to jazz despite some mild angst it caused his parents. “They were of the generation that felt jazz wasn’t legitimate music like classical music. They associated jazz with night clubs so instead my dad buys me an oud figuring it was close enough to a guitar to pacify me”. said Bedrossian. This was a gift Harry received from his father at Christmas that year. Little did Harry’s father realize the irony of giving Harry an oud and how this would not deter his son from heading towards the nightclubs in the future.

Harry’s first LP recording from 1978.

As different generations of Armenians sought out music, each of those classes of artists had a circle of  “masters” that they hail from when talking about how they learned their craft. In Harry’s generation, many of those younger musicians were influenced by John Berberian, one of the most prominent oud players of Armenian music. Harry’s father would drive him from Rhode Island to New Jersey in order for his son to receive lessons. “I was so obsessed with his playing, interpretation of the music and tonality that I eventually became his student”.

Harry surrounded by some of his Armenian musical mentors (Left to right, Harry Minassian, John Berberian, Harry, Joe Kouyoumjian)

Harry began to perform at local nightclubs in 1973. The first club he performed in was the famous Seventh Veil (located in Providence, RI) with fellow musicians George Righellis and Charlie Dermenjian.  He was filling in for Armenian oudist Harry Minassian. A year later, he got his first full time nightclub job at Christophers Restaurant.

Just as important as the oud is to his musical journey, the keyboard and vocal talents played an equal role. A unique combination for an Armenian musician that performs traditional and contemporary Middle Eastern music to play both oud and keyboard in the way Harry does.

Harry performing at a nightclub setting called The Loading Dock in the Boston area.

During his musical career, Harry was fortunate to meet many other great musical artists. One of the highlights in his career was meeting jazz pianist Dave McKenna, known for his solo performances and ability to perform a “three-handed swing” style of jazz. Harry met him while in college at a jazz workshop.  “I would follow him around to the various clubs and get there early so he could sit with me and give me pointers”.

However it wasn’t until he started to perform as a Middle Eastern musician that his musical career soared. He began working at the Averof Restaurant (Cambridge, Massachusetts) in 1981 performing for the famous Arabic vocalist George Abdo. This was a journey that would have him performing on stage with other great artists five nights a week for 14 years. “I had the opportunity to work with legends of this music such as Fred Elias, Mitchell Kaltsunas, Paul Bagdalian, Giannis Tatasopoulos, Ernie Kamanis and so many more. When you work with giants like these you realize that your journey of learning never ends”.

Joe Kouyoumjian on oud with Harry.

These musical influences also include Joe Kouyoumjian who he calls a mentor and says provided “an amazing insight from an entertaining and business perspective that often keeps me on top of my game when performing”.  The other mentor is Raymond Bandar, owner of the Averof restaurant. “I believe that my success in corporate America is due to using his principles of client engagement and treating his customers as family. He gave me the opportunity to truly spread my musical wings beyond what I thought was ever feasible and allowed me to have such great musical friends and mentors that I work with today”.

“Preserving our music is preserving our culture, memories, history, spirit our families” said Bedrossian.

“The stories and emotions that depict our history can be felt in every song. Our music is the most sensual, soulful, exotic, philosophical, complex, historical, deep rooted, painful, tear-jerking, uplifting of any music”.