Author Archives: aratopouzian
A Musical Refuge for Ronnie Malley
In September, 2018, I had an opportunity to attend ArtsMidwest in Indianapolis. This was a large conference that featured different arts organizations, councils and artists from around the Midwest. As I was scanning the big expo hall filled with different … Continue reading
Posted in Business of Music, Middle Eastern music, music
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Harry Bedrossian: Euphoric Oud Ride
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 … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, art, Middle Eastern music, music, oud
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A Siblings Plea: Remembering 104 Years Later
“I am looking for my sisters, Veronica Moonjian and Satenig Yacoubian, from Kharpert, Mezreh. Could those from Gaban Maden have word? Do any Armenians know where my sister’s children Arantsar and Vshnasp Moonjian are? Please reprint this in any Diasporan … Continue reading
Posted in Armenian, armenian genocide, Uncategorized
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A Savior of Greek Music
It goes without saying that Meletios (Meleti) Pouliopoulos loves and respects his Greek music and heritage. Growing up in a household where music surrounded him, Meleti fondly remembers how his parents would sing and dance in their house. He remembers that his … Continue reading
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Karim Bader, Legendary Arab Oudist
Abdul Karim Bader, renown Arab oud master has passed away on February 24, 2019 in Farmington Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. Bader was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1921. “Abdel Karim” means “servant of the generous,” a reference to … Continue reading
Posted in Middle Eastern music, oud, Uncategorized
Tagged Arabic, award, Beirut, detroit, Iraq, Lebanon, michigan, oud
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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
Posted in music, Uncategorized
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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HYE Times 