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He's Got $2m Hands: Former Basketball Pro And Pianist Guy Manoukian

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  • He's Got $2m Hands: Former Basketball Pro And Pianist Guy Manoukian

    HE'S GOT $2M HANDS: FORMER BASKETBALL PRO AND PIANIST GUY MANOUKIAN SAYS HE CANNOT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT MUSIC

    The Straits Times
    April 6, 2009 Monday
    Singapore

    Over the telephone from Beirut, Lebanon, the classically trained
    solo pianist says he was urged to do so by his record label and his
    manager because he was once also a professional basketballer.

    The 32-year-old married man who does not have any children plays
    the sport occasionally. He says: 'I can't imagine my life without
    music. Music is my life and I could never treat it as a job.'

    Manoukian, who is also a lawyer, will perform his unique brand of
    what he calls 'Oriental house music' at the Esplanade Concert Hall
    on April 14.

    He says his music has evolved over the years. He moved away from
    classical music when he realised the limitations of covering other
    artists.

    Manoukian started composing his own music at eight and later
    incorporated both Arabic and Armenian musical styles. His music became
    a hit worldwide and caught the attention of the likes of music icon
    Wyclef Jean, whom he calls a 'musical genius', and rapper 50 Cent. He
    composed Jean's 2007 hit song, On Tour.

    He is excited about playing in Singapore for the first time. Having
    once stopped over in Changi Airport en route to Bali, he was taken
    by its similarity to his home country of Lebanon.

    He says of Singapore: 'It is such a cosmopolitan society. I was amazed
    when I saw it and was sure that I wanted to come back and play.'

    Another draw, he adds, is the world-class venue of the Esplanade,
    whose reputation he has heard about.

    The veteran performer started playing when he was four. When he was
    seven, he performed for then Lebanese president Amine Gemayel at his
    presidential palace. He modestly describes the momentous occasion as
    'not such a big deal'.

    The youngest of three boys stays level- headed, thanks to his family,
    he says.

    'Family is a very important factor in my life. They keep me grounded
    and humble.'

    He adds that his father was a huge influence, often playing to him
    different kinds of music, ranging from Mozart to Latin. With eight
    albums under his belt since his first in 1997, Manoukian still seeks
    his parents' approval before releasing a new one.

    You may not think classical musicians will drive audiences crazy but
    a girl once threw her bra at Manoukian during a performance in Cairo.

    'I'm never bothered by a fan who wants my time. I'm open to them and
    grateful for them. They are the ones who keep my career going.'

    He promises to do his best at his concert here: 'I want them to
    take away the experience of my land, which is mysterious, passionate
    and seductive.'
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