Artist description Plays traditional Armenian folk and popular music.

Music Style World - Armenian

Similar Artists John Bilezikjian, John Berberian, Hachig Kazarian, Richard Hagopian

Artist History Richard Shelengian was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has been playing Armenian music for over twenty years. His early formal music training was on the trumpet, and he subsequently became interested in playing the folk songs of his ethnic Armenian heritage using authentic musical instruments of the Middle East region. His main instrument is the oud, an eleven-string, fretless acoustic instrument, considered to be the grandfather of the guitar. Richard also plays the saz (stringed instrument), dumbeg (hourglass-shaped hand drum), guitar, mandolin, and sings.His first recording, Oud Vibrations, released in 1998, features nine Armenian popular and folk melodies, including one original composition. Constance Shelengian (nee Rybak), Rich's wife, was born and raised in the New York area. She was classically trained on piano by Maro Ajemian, and studied voice with former Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Nancy Williams. She has a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University, and currently teaches vocal music in the Scarsdale, New York public schools. Connie sings two duets on Oud Vibrations, and provides the background instrumentals on acoustic guitar and keyboard

Group Members Richard Shelengian - oud, saz, dumbeg, congas, Moroccan drums, vocals, bass guitar Connie Shelengian - keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals, tambourine Gregory Arslanian - dumbeg Jim Gulezian - acoustic guitar Raffi Hovagimyan - keyboards Joan Campbell (mezzo-soprano) - guest vocalist

Instruments oud, saz, dumbeg, Moroccan drums, keyboards, acoustic/bass guitars, vocals, percussion

Press Reviews "OUD VIBRATIONS is an innovative recording featuring songs that diversely represent the Armenian musical heritage. Traditional folk songs, nationalistic songs, and love songs were compiled thoughtfully by the performing ensemble's oud soloist and producer of the recording, Rich Shelengian with his wife, Connie." - The Armenian Reporter, October 24, 1998 "Terrific!...one of the best new releases in Armenian songs...it's beautiful, especially the arrangements." - Russell Gasparian, Providence, RI Armenian Radio Hour (October 25, 199

Additional Info E-mail: kericon@gtemail.net

Location White Plains, NY - USA

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