Reuben Sarkisian was born around 1895 in Mazzira, Armenia (now known as Mamuret-el-Aziz in modern-day Turkey). His father, a liquor store owner was himself a good violin player and encouraged Reuben at an early age. At dances and weddings organized by the Turkish community in Mazzira, Reuben, aged 6, accompanied the musicians on the tambourine. In 1911, Reuben traveled to Boston, MA, where his elder sister had emigrated some years earlier. Reuben went to work in a shoe factory, but in his spare time began playing the old tunes he knew on a mandolin, and developed a keen interest in photography. While training as a photographer for the Air Corps, he suffered a serious back injury during a fire at the air base. Returning to Boston, he returned to the shoe factory, but also became more proficient on both mandolin and oud. In 1920 he met and married his wife Vart ('Rose'), who also sang old-time Armenian folk songs. Reuben took up the violin, and he and Vart played and sang in a group with Marko Melkon (oud) and Garbis Bakirjian (kanun).
In 1947 Reuben’s doctor advised moving to a warmer climate, and the Sarkisians moved to Fresno, CA, a city with a substantial Armenian community. Vart and Reuben began recording what would amount to 30 titles on fifteen 78 rpm records over the next five years. In addition to Reuben on violin, their accompanists included: John Berberian (oud), H. Parigian (banjo), J. Elby (dembeg), Vijinia N. (piano), P. Gamoian (dembeg), T. Kappas (kanun), Garbis Bakirjian (kanun), K. Apgarian (dembeg), and Jack Sarkisian (dembeg). Over time, Reuben became disillusioned with the business end of music and recording, and in 1955 called a halt to his recording venture.
Thanks in no small part to Richard Spottswood, researcher and champion of ethnic music in America, Reuben appeared at several festivals and concerts in the 1970’s and performed to much acclaim at the National Folk Festival at Wolf Trap, Washington in 1978. Reuben Sarkisian passed away in Fresno, CA, in 1981.
REUBEN SARKISIAN ORCHESTRA, Los Angeles 1950-1955, Discography:
Vart Sarkisian (vocal), Reuben Sarkisian (violin), John Berberian (oud)
Sonan Yelav / Sarkisian 1508
Ine Orre / Sarkisian 1508
Same plus: Vijinia N. (piano), H. Parigian (banjo), J. Elby (dembeg)
Laz / Sarkisian 1509
Anstial Darle (Lehmajou Dance) / Sarkisian 1510
Hallay (no vocal) / Sarkisian 1511
Yari Yerk / Sarkisian 1512
No Details:
Shalako / Sarkisian 1513
Govgaslan Bar / Sarkisian 1514
Vart (vocal), Reuben (violin), John Berberian (oud), H. Parigian (banjo), P. Gamoian (dembeg)
Anoushiges Yeg / Sarkisian 1515
Yar Ounenal / Sarkisian 1516
Tamzara (no vocal) / Sarkisian 1519
Kani Vour Janim / Sarkisian 1520
Vartaquin Ayer (Danube Waves) / Sarkisian 1521
Amarvan Dakin / Sarkisian 1525
Sepastya-Bar (no vocal) / Sarkisian 1522
Dzaner Bar / Sarkisian 1524
No Details:
Harcum Harcum / Sarkisian 1517
Vartin Toop E / Sarkisian 1518
Vart (vocal), Reuben (violin), T. Cappas (kanon), John Berberian (oud), J. Elby (dembeg)
Adzetzek Tare / Sarkisian 1523
Kishervan Yeraz / Sarkisian 1523
Zoulk Teller (no vocal) / Sarkisian 1526
Kravich Acher / Sarkisian 1526
Kislan Zeybeg (no vocal) / Sarkisian 1527
Ak Siroon Akchig / Sarkisian 1527
Vart (vocal), Reuben (violin), John Berberian (oud), Garbis (kanon), K. Apgarian (dembeg)
Henaminer / Sarkisian 010
Bardezis - Zahige / Sarkisian 020
Ieysor Yares / Sarkisian 030
Kassab-Bar (no vocal) / Sarkisian 040
Vart (vocal), Reuben (violin), Vijinia N. (piano), Jack Sarkisian (dembeg)
Siroon Vartes / Sarkisian 050
Kavated Ver / Sarkisian 060
[adapted and abridged from the excellent post by Keith Summers (1948-2004), which includes a discography of the Sarkisian record label: www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/r...]
[Zouik Teller, Reuben Sarkisian, Sarkisian 1526-A, recorded early 1950s, matrix SR-1528A]
The flip side of this disk is Kravich Acher: • ARMENIA: Reuben Sarkis...
28 май 2024
