Everything started in early 1950s have a glance at the weblink towards porches away from the newest multi-height belongings throughout the topography out-of Worcester’s Little Armenia: Chandler Street, Playground Avenue, Austin Road and you can Belmont Roadway.
That was the start of what was to at some point function as the Aramites or Worcester Aramites band-called adopting the Worcester AYF chapter, the initial in the usa.
Kapriel “Kap” Kaprielian (clarinet and sax) come this new band and therefore sooner included Varty Vartanian into the dumbeg/bongos; Mal Soghomonian, oud; Nori Soghomonian, dumbeg; Jack Shemligian, sax; Larry Mardirosian, clarinet/sax; and you may Eddie Arvanigian towards the tricolor tambourine and you can sound.
Thereafter, his soulful colors and you will fun identity was indeed sought after having fun with the likes of Harry Minassian, Bobby Sohigian, Zaven Donabedian, Leo Arzoomanian, Onnik Dinkjian, John Berberian and you will Kazarian
Following the Aramites, but almost meanwhile, is actually a young classification called the Gaidzags whom sooner or later registered the Aramites once the Aramite users was drawn up towards army provider.
In the course of time, Carnig Mikitarian, Levon Barsamian, Ed Varteresian and Pete Harootunian registered brand new Aramites and you can turned into you to higher music spirit you to starred on dances, picnics, wedding events and you may Olympics regarding the eastern part.
Gary Arvanigian (Eddie’s nephew) after noticed, “The new Aramites had been brand new Running Stones of one’s 50s, early 60s. It starred around, beginning in Worcester, up coming The new England, Mid-West, Canada and you can around three Olympics throughout the 50s. They’d fun just like the a ring, and the of many just who went to its occurrences more than an about 10-12 months period had a basketball. They were a much wanted band…the fresh new all-stars of the time.”
Barsamian however exudes the fresh new spirit and you will feeling of enough time: “We were notice-instructed AYFers. Armenian musical was a student in our very own souls. We were instance brothers. Eddie’s tricolored tambourine mirrored which we had been in addition to the title showing the Worcester section.”
Throughout the years, this new Aramites registered the latest LP “Sensuous Sands,” and individual 78 rpms “Meg Nyvatskov,” “Laz Pub” and you can “Aramite Bar.”
Barsamian began to play dumbeg and instructed himself how to enjoy a keen oud you to definitely his dad bought him. After the Aramites, he was in demand to try out which have Mike and you will Friend Sarkisian, and others in different Brand new The united kingdomt clubs, wedding receptions and you will dances.
The guy got clarinet lessons, and also by age 15 joined up with the fresh Gaidzaigs following joined the fresh Aramites which have Barsamian.
With a few 63 numerous years of friendship, Kazarian notes away from Mikitarian: “Carnig try a gracious mate inside the tunes. He lead fun towards concert. I preferred dealing with your many moments typically.”
Reminiscing, Eddie Varteresian would state with a great laugh, “Because the infants, i used to gamble Armenian musical to the our decks, therefore the residents-whether Armenian or otherwise not-would want they in our nothing Armenia
The fresh signal tune of your own Aramites try “Zungalo,” a dynamic matter sung simply from the Ed Arvanigian no almost every other singer of every band; it actually was the latest Ooster song, not like “Kale-Kale” otherwise “Meg Nyvastkov.”
“My grandma Nevart, and additionally Norair and you will Mal Soghomonian’s mother, created the lyrics from the a young son just who loved Armenian audio and you can happy times. It absolutely was an excellent portrait of the sons, this new band members, for a moment. My bro Ed is the perfect that sing it as the guy starred their tricolor tambourine and you can performed their mom’s conditions. Explore enjoyable.”
Self-tbourine – discover over 10 years of one’s music you to starred from the eastern side of the You. I remember . A part of the Worcester AYF thereby of numerous into the many groups was raised for the music of your Aramites. Thank you so much, guys, for lifetime regarding thoughts.
Author’s Note: Hachig Kazarian’s certain have to-enjoys book, West Armenian Sounds of Asia Small on All of us, sells a great deal of detail concerning the Aramites, along with other bands who have starred in the Joined Says. Some of the images with this article are in the book.
