ARA DINKJIAN is best known as founder and leader of the influential instrumental group NIGHT ARK, a jazz band that has broken many barriers in the years 1980 to 1990, by merging with the roots of Anatolian music. His compositions have been recorded by top musicians, including Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Sezen Aksu and Demis Roussos, in 13 different languages, proving that, music is a universal language after all. With one of his hits, “Homecoming” (better known worldwide as “Dinata Dinata”), he was chosen to end the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games 2004 in Athens.
Who is ARA DINKJIAN though? In Armenian Արա Տինքճեան, ARA DINKJIAN is an Armenian-American musician, considered one of the best oud performer in the world. Born in New Jersey in 1958, he debuted when he was only five, at the New York City World’s Fair, playing the doumbag. He joined his father’s group, Onnik Dinkjian, a renowned Armenian musician that plays folk and religious music. His undeniable value earned him a scholarship at the prestigious Hartt School in Hartford, Connecticut, where he studied numerous traditional instruments. In 1980 he graduated from college, being the only musician with a special degree in interpreting the oud – the instrument that would make him known around the world.
In 1986 he founded the group Night Ark, after RCA producer Steve Backer heard a demo of an original composition Dinkjian made. The result: a contract to make a record – “Picture” – released that same year.
In 2002, Ara Dinkjian was chosen to represent Armenia at the First International Oud Meeting in Thessaloniki. After that came an invitation to the International Oud Festival in Jerusalem in 2005, and at the Oud Festival in 2008, where he recorded an exceptional album, “Peace on Earth” with Sokratis Sinopoulos – lyra (Greek), Tamer Pinarbasi – kanun (Turkish), Rimmon Haddad – Bass (Palestine) and Zohar Fresco – percussion (Israel).
Throughout his career, Ara Dinkjian has continuously developed his style, combining his western and eastern roots. This is how he came to play what he performs today, a very unique style, with a strong trademark of beautiful tones.
After Misia, Trilok Gurtu and Christoph Pepe Auer, ARA DINKJIAN is the fourth big name for the worldmusic stage that has confirmed his performance at this year’s PLAI Festival. He will get on stage with his oud on Saturday, September 11, 2010, with Sokratis Sinopoulos – Politiki lyra, Vangelis Karipis – percussion and Nikos Kalatzakos – keyboards, piano.
I am an Arab American from Jordan and I also play the oud. I think that Ara’s music is very beautiful. When will he grace us with his presense by performing in Ohio?
Even though this has nothing to do with his great music but I am just curious, is Ara Jewish or Christian?
We are very pleased to have him among our guests this year, he is truly a great musician! We don’t know anything about his future concerts, perhaps if you try his official website http://www.aradinkjian.com/
Maybe there you can also find out what religion he has. All we know is that he is an armenian-american, born in New Jersey and he plays the oud very beautifully, the rest is of no importance!
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