TAQS.IM Middle Eastern Music

Danny Shamoun, a Los-Angeles based multi-instrumentalist originally hailing from Detroit, discusses how he started with Middle Eastern Music and transitioned to performing with System of a Down (SOAD), joining Scars of Broadway as a keyboardist, learning the Arabian Ney Flute and the impact of music theory and Makam modal based music. Topics include:

Aram interviews Hachig Kazarian from Detroit, whose clarinet defines the Armenian-American clarinet sound which shaped the musical experiences of entire generations of Diaspora Armenians living in the United States for much of the 20th century. Having attended the famed Juilliard School of Music in the 60’s, Kazarian was a key member of the widely acclaimed “Kef Time bands”. Kazarian’s music fuses Middle Eastern melody and rhythm with a Big Band sound, defined by his virtuosic improvisation...

Aram interviews Joseph Tayoun, an accomplished percussionist and educator specializing in Middle Eastern and World music based in Philadelphia. They discuss the history of Philadelphia's Middle East Night Club, his experience playing in a multitude of world music projects and his Star Trek Party band, The Roddenberries, upcoming release. Topics include:

Peter Deneff, an accomplished Pianist and Jazz Fusion musician, discusses his background, his involvement in the Los Angeles Middle Eastern Music club Scene, and his approach to microtonality and Jazz music. Topics Include:

Andrew sits down and interviews Oud master John Berberian about his life, 50-year career in music, balancing work and the arts and performing throughout the country. Topics Include:

We’re huge fans of the Oud – a fretless pear-shaped instrument that’s similar to a lute and known as “the grandfather of the guitar”. We love the dynamics and microtonal flexibility it affords players – not being restricted to frets can be liberating and offers so much in terms of tone and sound that you simply can’t get anywhere else! Especially when it’s in non-Middle Eastern contexts. We’ve compiled a list of 7 notable oud players you need to listen to if you’re just getting to know the...

Welcome to the first episode of the TAQS.IM Middle Eastern Music Podcast, which discusses playing, performing and appreciating Arabic, Armenian, Assyrian, Balkan, Greek, Kurdish, Persian, Turkish music and more. Topics Include: