Author Archives: aratopouzian
Louise Manoogian Simone (1941-2019)
She has been called a civic leader, a philanthropist, businesswoman, patron of the arts and devoted to preserving the Armenian culture. Louise Manoogian Simone, daughter of the late Alex and Marie Manoogian has passed away at the age of 85. … Continue reading
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Chick: The Blue Collar Musician
As I was growing up listening to Armenian music, there were different groups of instrumentalist musicians that I was aware of that played folk music. One of those groups of musicians were oud players. As far as I was concerned, … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, belly dance, Middle Eastern music, music, oud, Uncategorized
Tagged Armenian, belly dance, herbie mann, jazz, Middle Eastern music, music, night club, oud
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Amer-abic Percussionist Remembered: Eddie “the Sheik” Kochak
2018 marked the end of another legendary icon of Middle Eastern music in America, his name was Eddie “the Sheik” Kochak. He was 97 years old. Another way to describe Kochak would be to refer to him as a personality. … Continue reading
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Tagged Amer-abic, Arabic, belly dance, Danny Thomas, darbukka, Dean Martin, Kochak, music, New York, oud, Syria, The Sheik, violin
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His name was George Righellis
My name is George and I never sing about the bitter-sweet issue of love I’m not used in rending daisies, I don’t wait for anyone’s comeback These are the lyrics to Me Lene Giorgo, a song that George Righellis made … Continue reading
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Hello, 2019
It was inevitable You and I knew it wouldn’t last No matter how much we try to defy the odds, there is always still much more to grasp I think we gave it a really good run Much to be … Continue reading
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Taqs.im creates community for musicians
Several years before social media became a household word, if you wanted to communicate in a collective group across the globe and share ideas, thoughts or questions you either created email groups or listserv forums. About twenty years or so ago, … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, Business of Music, music, Uncategorized
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Music and Dementia
I believe most of us can attribute a loss within our lifetime to a loved one or friend that has had a form of dementia. I have experienced it first hand with my father and grandmother. I have often said … Continue reading
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