Ara Dinkjian

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Ara Dinkjian


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = birth year and age|1958
Origin = New Jersey, United States
Genre = Folk, Armenian folk
Occupation = Musician, songwriter, performer
Years_active = 1986–present
Instrument = Oud, guitar, cumbus, mandolin, kanun, saz, kaval
Label = RCA/BMG, PolyGram/Universal, Traditional Crossroads
Associated_acts = Night Ark
URL = [http://www.aradinkjian.com/ www.aradinkjian.com]

Ara Dinkjian ( _hy. Արա Տինքճեան; born 1958) [cite web|url = http://www.cilicia.com/2007/06/ara-dinkjian.html |title = Life in the Armenian Diaspora: Ara Dinkjian |accessdate = 2008-08-11 |date =2007-06-01}] [ [http://www.aradinkjian.com/ Ara's biography on his website] ] is an Armenian-American musician. He is the founder of the band Night Ark. Ara Dinkjian is considered one of the top oud players in the world, his compositions have been recorded in thirteen different languages, which include the multi-platinum hit "Dinata", it was performed in the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.cite web|url=http://www.alwanforthearts.org/event/142
accessdate=2008-08-11
title=Three Ouds: Arab, Greek and Armenian
publisher=Alwan For The Arts
date=2007-11-21]

Ara has written songs for Eleftheria Arvanitaki, [cite web|url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79125830.html |title = Ara Dinkjian Is One of Featured Musicians in Eleftheria Arvanitaki's New CD to Be Launched with Series of Concerts Starting Next Sunday |accessdate = 2008-08-11 |work =Armenian Reporter |date = 2001-05-12] and Sezen Aksu ("Vazgeçtim", "Sarışın", "Yine Mi Çiçek", "Hoş Geldin", among others). Turkish singers Gülşen, Kibariye, Mine Koşan, Ahmet Kaya, Coşkun Sabah, Burcu Güneş have recorded his songs.

Biography

Born in New Jersey, Dinkjian made his professional debut at the 1964 New York City World's Fair playing on the doumbag—aged five. He accompanied John Berberian and George Mgrdichian.

His earliest professional musical experience was accompanying his father Onnik Dinkjian, a renowned Armenian folk and liturgical singer. [ [http://www.alwanforthearts.org/event/200 Ara's bio on Alwan for the Arts website] ] He was enrolled at The Hartt School, a specialized performing arts college in Hartford, Connecticut and was offered a scholarship to attend at the age of 18. Ara learned several western and eastern instruments (piano, guitar, darbuka) and in 1980 graduated from the Hartt College of Music, earning the country’s first and only special degree in the instrument for which he has become most well-known, the "oud".

He formed his band Night Ark in 1986, which introduced listeners to a new blend of Anatolian roots music fused with jazz.

His first album under the Night Ark band name was "Picture" released in 1986.

In 2002, Dinkjian was chosen to represent Armenia in the First International Meeting Of The Oud, where twelve of the world’s top oud players gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece for three days of solo concerts, master classes, and exchange of information.

His newest album and first solo CD, "An Armenian in America", comprising 12 tracks, was recorded live at the 2005 International Oud Festival in Jerusalem. [ [http://cdbaby.com/cd/aradinkjian Ara Dinkjian's page on CD Baby] ]

Festivals

Dinkjian has performed in several festivals, mostly in Israel, where his music is very popular:cite news|url = http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1192380712216&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title = Ethnic music festival: Songs of the oud | work=Jerusalem Post |accessdate = 2008-08-11|first=Gavriel |last=Fiske|date=2007-11-01]

* Ethnic music festival: Songs of the oud
* Jerusalem International Oud Festival [cite web|url = http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull&cid=1161811209693 |title = A lute for all seasons | Music | Jerusalem Post |accessdate = 2008-08-11] [cite web|url = http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1196847419726&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull |title = Call of the Oud (Extract) | work = Jerusalem Post |accessdate = 2008-08-11| date=2007-12-24 | first=Jenny A |last=Levin]
* ArmenStock 2004 [ [http://www.armenstock.com/artistbios2.htm] Listed in the performers page] Failed verification|date=August 2008
* Días del laúd Festival
* 1980 Montreux Jazz Festival [" [http://www.montreuxsounds.com/detail2006.php?fiche=634 NYIAMA ENSEMBLE] " Roster of the 42nd Montreaux Jazz Festival]

Night Ark

Ara Dinkjian's band, Night Ark, came together in 1986 after Steve Backer, a producer for RCA, heard a demo of one of Dinkjian's original compositions and promptly issued an invitation to record.

Members of his band Night Ark include,Arto Tunçboyacıyan on the percussion as well as pianist/composer Armen Donelian and Marc Johnson.He is accompanied by the world-class musicians Zohar Fresco on percussion and Adi Rennert on keyboards.

They have recorded 6 albums.

Discography

Night Ark

* 1986 - "Picture", RCA/Novus
* 1988 - "Moments", RCA/Novus
* 1998 - "In Wonderland", Polygram
* 2000 - "Petals on your Path", EmArcy
* 2000 - "Treasures", Traditional Crossroads
* 2006 - " An Armenian In America", Krikor Music

References

External links

*imdb name|id=2836189|name=Ara Dinkjian