Artist description Cafe' Makam is a new group of musicians from diverse ethnic backgrounds that include Armenian, Greek, Macedonian, Sephardic, and French. Each player brings a unique perspective to danse orientale (belly dance). The material on this CD is a wildy improvisational live presentation. The name of the group is apt. This type of music is often played in coffee houses or cabarets, hence CAFE'. MAKAM means scale and refers to the inherently modal structure nature of the music.

Music Style Traditional Middle Eastern; Armenian, Greek, Arabic

Musical Influences Udi Hrant Kenkulian, Udi Yorgo Bacanos, Klarnetji Sukru Tunar, Kanuni Ahmet Yatman, and most Middle Eastern gypsy bands

Similar Artists We have a unique sound that can only be heard outside of the US.

Artist History Cafe' Makam was formed in 1999 with the expressed purpose to expand the knowledge of traidtional Middle Eastern music. Instruemtns such as the clarinet, oud, kanun and a variety of percussion instruments aid in the preservation of the music.

Group Members Jim Stoyanoff (g-clarinet), Ara Topouzian (kanun), Joe Zeytoonian (electric oud), Myriam Eli (percussion) and Mark Sawasky (percussion)

Instruments G-clarinet, Kanun, Electric Oud, Dumbek, Daf, Zils, Cajita

Albums Several other Middle Eastern albums are available through American Recording Productions

Press Reviews "Itıs a rare recording that combines a stellar group of Middle Eastern musicians with an interesting and compelling set of belly dance songs, but thatıs what Cafe Makam has done." - Steve Ramsey"The recent CD by Ara Topouzian entitled "Cafe Makam" presents some very pleasant music. The Taksims are especially good and the technical skills of the instrumentalists are obvious particularly the clarinetist JamesStoyanoff. Ara Topouzian is quite adroit on the qanun. The Armeno/Turkish makam and folk tradition with occasional classical Ottoman or regional overtones is well represented by this fine group of serious musicians." - Dr. Lloyd Miller, PhD of Middle Eastern Studies

Location Farmington Hills, Michigan - USA

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