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Fresno Bee, CA
Dec 31 2009
First Armenian artist from Central Calif. honored
Posted at 12:45 PM on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009
By Donald Munro / The Fresno Bee
You might not know a duduk from a dhol. But it isn't hard to figure
out the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble is getting noticed.
The ensemble, run by John and Barbara Chookasian of Fresno, picked up
the award for Best Traditional Armenian Folk CD Album at the Armenian
Music Awards in Los Angeles. Here's a rundown:
First, just what are those instruments? A duduk is an Armenian folk
flute with a large double reed that gives it a haunting sound. The
dhol is a cylindrical hand drum.
The award: Known in the trade as an "Armenian Oscar," this is the
first time that an Armenian artist from Central California has been
given the honor, Chookasian says. The award, which was for the group's
CD "Passage to Armenia," was based on authenticity, virtuosity and
quality of production. There were three finalists.
The event: The Chookasians got decked out in dress clothes to attend
the awards ceremony Dec. 13 at the Nokia Theatre.
The ensemble: Consisting of between 10 and 14 musicians, the group is
made up of conservatory-trained musicians who perform a variety of
traditional Armenian instruments. Chookasian directs the group and
plays a C clarinet, and Barbara is the primary vocalist. They live in
Fresno, but the rest of the musicians live in the Los Angeles area.
(Most can't find enough work playing traditional music in Fresno.)
It's rare for the ensemble to perform in the Fresno area.
The music: The ensemble plays a compilation of historic eastern and
western Armenian music arranged by Chookasian. The western music,
which includes folk dances, goes back 3,000 years. Many of the songs
have to do with nationalism, nature and unrequited love. The
ensemble's mission is to preserve, present and promote traditional
Armenian music. To that end, the nonprofit ensemble is hoping to
attract more foundation and corporate support.
The interest in Armenian music and culture: It's quite high,
Chookasian says, even among people who have never considered their
Armenian background. "They come up to me all the time after concerts,
and it seems like their culture had never been discussed before," he
says. "It's like a reawakening within them."
How to buy the music: at Amazon.com and cdbaby.com. Information about
the ensemble's CDs can be found at chookasian.com or by e-mail at
[email protected].
Dec 31 2009
First Armenian artist from Central Calif. honored
Posted at 12:45 PM on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009
By Donald Munro / The Fresno Bee
You might not know a duduk from a dhol. But it isn't hard to figure
out the Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble is getting noticed.
The ensemble, run by John and Barbara Chookasian of Fresno, picked up
the award for Best Traditional Armenian Folk CD Album at the Armenian
Music Awards in Los Angeles. Here's a rundown:
First, just what are those instruments? A duduk is an Armenian folk
flute with a large double reed that gives it a haunting sound. The
dhol is a cylindrical hand drum.
The award: Known in the trade as an "Armenian Oscar," this is the
first time that an Armenian artist from Central California has been
given the honor, Chookasian says. The award, which was for the group's
CD "Passage to Armenia," was based on authenticity, virtuosity and
quality of production. There were three finalists.
The event: The Chookasians got decked out in dress clothes to attend
the awards ceremony Dec. 13 at the Nokia Theatre.
The ensemble: Consisting of between 10 and 14 musicians, the group is
made up of conservatory-trained musicians who perform a variety of
traditional Armenian instruments. Chookasian directs the group and
plays a C clarinet, and Barbara is the primary vocalist. They live in
Fresno, but the rest of the musicians live in the Los Angeles area.
(Most can't find enough work playing traditional music in Fresno.)
It's rare for the ensemble to perform in the Fresno area.
The music: The ensemble plays a compilation of historic eastern and
western Armenian music arranged by Chookasian. The western music,
which includes folk dances, goes back 3,000 years. Many of the songs
have to do with nationalism, nature and unrequited love. The
ensemble's mission is to preserve, present and promote traditional
Armenian music. To that end, the nonprofit ensemble is hoping to
attract more foundation and corporate support.
The interest in Armenian music and culture: It's quite high,
Chookasian says, even among people who have never considered their
Armenian background. "They come up to me all the time after concerts,
and it seems like their culture had never been discussed before," he
says. "It's like a reawakening within them."
How to buy the music: at Amazon.com and cdbaby.com. Information about
the ensemble's CDs can be found at chookasian.com or by e-mail at
[email protected].