ARMENIAN MELODIES Featuring: Mal Barsamian - Oud, Dumbeg, Guitar Khatchig Jingirian - Vocals Jim Karagozian - Kanun This project was the collaboration of three friends whose musical styles have brought them together from across the country. Armenian Melodies is a selection of traditional and contemporary Armenian folk songs peformed with traditional acoustic instruments in the Western Armenian style. Full of "kef," this CD is sure to keep your feet tapping and have you singing along. Mal Barsamian - Mal’s musical career began when he was four years old playing with his father Leo at an Armenian Picnic. A truly well rounded musician, Mal hails from a musical family and performs on the oud, clarinet, dumbeg, saxophone, and guitar. He is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Classical Guitar Performance. He has worked with many of the greats of Armenian and Middle Eastern music and has released numerous albums, the latest of which, One Take, was released in 2007. Khatchig Jingirian - Khatchig has been singing and performing Armenian and Middle Eastern music for over 15 years. Khatchig has been a successful solo artist and has also worked with numerous musicians throughout the United States. He has released two albums with the band Mirage and a solo album, Beginnings, in 2004. Khatchig has also produced a series of international compilations and appeared as a guest artist on various recordings. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Jim Karagozian - Jim is a seasoned performer and talented kanun player. He has been performing for over 30 years in various ensembles throughout the Fresno area. Jim has recorded two albums with his band Mirage and released his own instrumental album, Eastern Gatherings, in 2006. He continues to perform Armenian and Middle Eastern music throughout the west coast. Recorded by Leon Janikian at North Eastern University - Boston, Massachusetts Mixed by Michael Kutulas at Mt. Olympus Studios - Belmont, California