A rare picture of Simon playing dumbeg at a Detroit Armenian wedding around the 1950s.

A couple of days ago, we lost someone truly special: Simon Javizian, at the age of almost 92. To many, he was a musician, a funeral director, a storyteller, and a pillar of the Armenian community. To me, he was also a longtime friend—someone whose kindness, warmth, and humor left a lasting imprint on my life.

I knew Simon and his beloved wife, Alice, for many years. They were the type of couple who made you feel welcome without trying. In fact, I will never forget the Armenian music cruises we were on, where we were next-door neighbors; every morning, without fail, Alice would pass over a pot of fresh coffee across our shared balcony. It’s one of those simple gestures that says everything about who they were.

A Musician From Our “Classic Era”

Simon was part of that golden generation of Armenian-American musicians from the 1950s and 1960s. A talented clarinetist—and at times, a saxophonist and vocalist—he formed the band Ardziv Band, a group remembered as one of the influential ensembles of its era. They recorded one unforgettable album, Traveling with Kef, which still stands as a snapshot of the sound and spirit of Armenian community dances in those decades.

Simon and his Ardziv Band.

His signature song, the one everyone remembers him for, was “Haideh Kaleh”.  There was a joy, a wink, an energy that only he could deliver.

I had the honor of performing with Simon many times over the years—sometimes with him on clarinet, sometimes on saxophone, and often with him singing. Being on stage with him felt like being part of history.

A Keeper of Stories and a Keeper of Culture

More than a decade ago, I began work on a documentary commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, focusing on the musicians who shaped the Detroit Armenian community. Simon was an integral part of that project.

I remember interviewing him like it was yesterday. He shared stories with emotion that filled the entire room—sometimes joyful, sometimes teary-eyed, always sincere. You could feel the soul behind every word. He knew the weight of what he lived through and the importance of keeping our culture alive through music.

Somewhere deep in my heart, I am grateful that I was among the first to video-record Simon as part of a documentary, capturing these memories and his musical career before time could steal them away. The film, Guardians of Music: A Tribute to Detroit Armenian Musicians, later aired worldwide on PBS, ensuring that Simon’s legacy reached far beyond Detroit.

A Dedicated Funeral Director—and a Humorist

After a concert I performed with Mal Barsamian, we went to dinner with Hachig Kazarian and Simon Javizian.

One of the funnier memories I have of Simon came from a simple question I asked many years ago: “Why did you stop playing music?”

Without missing a beat, he said, “It was bad for business.”

As a funeral director, he explained that some Armenian families weren’t too happy to see him conducting a burial one day and playing a wedding the next. He always told this story with that trademark twinkle in his eye—as if he knew how ridiculous it sounded, yet how true it was.

To this day, I believe Simon may hold the distinction of being the only Armenian musician whose day job was being a prominent funeral director. And he wore both roles—musician and caretaker—with dignity, professionalism, and compassion.

A Servant of Community

Simon was also heavily involved in the Detroit Armenian community. We worked together in the 100 Hyes organization, where he took part in the annual religious ceremony honoring those who had passed. He led these moments with deep reverence and emotional sincerity. It was clear that this was not just tradition for him—it was personal.

A Life Remembered

I will miss Simon.

I will miss his compassion, the way he cared about people.

I will miss his stories, each one a window into a time that no longer exists.

I will miss his singing, his laughter, and the joy he carried with him.

And above all, I will miss the presence of someone who genuinely loved Armenian music, culture, and community—and gave so much of himself to preserve them.

Simon shared his musical life with all of us. And I am grateful beyond words that we were able to capture his story, his voice, and his passion on film so future generations can appreciate the legacy he leaves behind.

May his memory be eternal. Asdvadz Hokin Louysavoreh.