Tag Archives: music

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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Armenian Liturgical Music performed on traditional instruments

Recently I received an email from a friend that shared a rare look and sound of Armenian liturgical music performed on traditional instruments. After posting on my personal Facebook page, the comments and views went through the roof. This is … Continue reading

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Armenian Music in Hartland, MI

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to perform Armenian and Middle Eastern music in Hartland, Michigan. This is a small community with under 15,000 people and not richly diverse, but a community that wants to embrace diversity. The Cromaine … Continue reading

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TheOudPlayer Releases Album – nOUD

Antranig Kzirian has always loved music and so it was no surprise that he gravitated to the oud (Middle Eastern lute) as a young Armenian musician from Philadelphia. “The oud cast a spell over me from a young age. The … Continue reading

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Giving back, providing a difference to Detroit children

The other day I was given a unique opportunity to “pay it forward” within the Detroit community by providing music and education to area children. The Detroit Institute for Children provides a passionate, integrated approach to services for Michigan’s children … Continue reading

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Armenian musician, Set Proodian passes at 97

On May 25, 2017, the Armenian music world lost another one of its members; Set Proodian passed away at the age of 97. I did not personally know Set, but I was certainly familiar with who he was as a musician along … Continue reading

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The Promise – Detroit Premiere

In many ways, this is a difficult blog for me to put together. So many thoughts and directions I want to take and talk about surrounding the major motion picture, The Promise especially as today marks the 102nd anniversary of … Continue reading

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Creative Profile: Rick Robinson

Rick Robinson began playing double bass in Highland Park public schools until he attended Interlochen Arts Academy, Cleveland Institute of Music and New England Conservatory. He held several principal positions in regional orchestras as well as the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra … Continue reading

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Gypsy Esma: Macedonian Queen Passes

Growing up and listing to all forms of Middle Eastern music allowed me to enter the world of Roma, music of the Balkans. As I got older and become more interested in varying forms of music, I discovered the varies … Continue reading

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Creative Profile: Victor Ghannam, Musician

Victor Ghannam is a self taught musician who has performed throughout Europe, the Middle East, North, Central, and South America on a variety of instruments, mainly the Oud and Qanun. He began his musical life at the age of 4 … Continue reading

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