Complete Recordings of a 1940s Philadelphia Kef Band, by Arziv Orchestra

Complete Recordings of a 1940s Philadelphia Kef Band

by Arziv Orchestra

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of He Gives From The Heart: A Retrospective of the Arab-American Violinist and Composer, 1916-65, Shade Your Eyes: Bulgarian-Macedonian Clarinet in Akron, Ohio ca. 1948, Ragas Malkauns & Sohini: Kirana Gharana ca. 1960, Masterpieces of Koto, Arab-American Live Recordings vol. 2: Boston in the 1960s, Tarab Vocal Art in Cairo & Alexandria vol. 4, ca. 1923-28, The Heart of a Mangas: Intersections of Popular Greek Theater & Rebetiko in Chicago & New York, 1923-29, Tarab Vocal Art in Beirut, 1907-23, and 134 more. , and , .
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1.	Arabgeri Tamzara (Tamzara Dance from Arapgir) 02:53	buy track
2.	Ghenjouki Yerk (Drinking Song) 03:08	buy track
3.	Halay-Kotchari (Armenian Men's Dance) 03:02	buy track
4.	Oghlan Oghlan (Boy, Boy) 03:02	buy track
5.	Yeni Konyale (The Girl From Konya, New Version) 03:15	buy track
6.	Guzel Alem (My Handsome Ali) 03:04	buy track
7.	Tamara (Caucasus Dance) 02:46	buy track
8.	Golghosi Aghtchik (Kolkhoz Girl) 03:05	buy track
9.	Haygagan Shurtchabar (3 in 1: Armenian Circle Dance) 03:01	buy track
10.	Lay-Lay Sofiges (Lay-Lay My Sophie) 02:56	buy track
11.	Laz Bar (Black Sea Dance) 03:03	buy track
12.	Catskillin Yerke (The Catskills Song) 03:08	buy track
13.	Gelin Gelin (Bride, Bride: Dance Tune From Erzinga) 02:55	buy track
14.	Elmale (Apple Cheeks) 02:59	buy track
15.	Soudin Bare (The "Fake" Dance) 02:53	buy track
16.	Yarin Yerke (The Sweetheart Song) 02:41	buy track

about

This collection represents the entire discography of the Arziv (“Eagle”) trio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania who recorded and self-released discs in the 1940s. They were one of three Philly kef (“good time”) bands, along with the Gomidas and Vosbikian bands, to have recorded prolifically around the time. The songs are presented here in reverse chronological order of their release.

The group’s leader, violinist Haroutiun "Bernard" Kondourajian, who settled at 5244 Irving Street in Philadelphia, arrived from Aintab in Dec. 1913. He and his wife Violet, who was also a survivor of the genocide from Keyseri, apparently first worked in Troy, New York with Garabed Merjanian, who had also settled in Troy. (See: canary-records.bandcamp.com/album/if-i-were-a-nightingale-turkish-armenian-language-recordings-in-nyc-dec-1916-june-1921 ). After settling in West Philadelphia, he ran a shoe repair shop for decades. (His last name, coincidentally, means in Armenian "son of shoe-maker.")

Krikor "George" Kalayjian (d. March 1952) was from Evereg, outside of Kayseri, and arrived at Ellis Island Dec. 1912. He first worked in Troy, NY, where he likely met Kondourajian at the shirt-collar factory. By 1930, he was living in Philadelphia, teaching oud, and running the Haigagan Club at 6011-13 Market Street, where he sold records, instruments, etc.

Krikor "Tommy" Nercesian was from Kharpert; he arrived at the port of Philadelphia Aug. 1913.

The band split their time between Philadelphia and the “yogurt belt” of the Armenian Catskills resorts. Their drummer Tommy Nersessian wrote the iconic “Catskillin Yerke” about those resorts and was, in turn, the basis of the hit song “Come On-a My House,” written by the author William Saroyan and Ross Bagdasarian (widely known as “David Seville,” creator of Alvin and the Chipmunks).

The Arviz group toured through Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey, working closely with Edward Bogosian. (They appear to be his backing band on a number of sides. Tommy Nersessian is shouted-out on Bogosian’s records.) Their “Oghlan Oghlan” is a cover of the New Yorker Marko Melkon; and their “Soundin Bare” is perhaps the earliest “cover” of Edward Bogosian’s hit “Sood E Sood E.” They are likely the backing band on Bogosian’s original. (See: canary-records.bandcamp.com/album/everything-is-fake-armenian-kef-music-in-nyc-in-the-1940s )

We are thankful to James Dorian, grandson of Bernard Koundourajian for permission to issue this group of recordings.
Further discussion of the Arviz band may be found at Harry Kezelian's blog: keftimeusa.blogspot.com/2013/11/oor-eh-hos-eh.html

credits

released March 24, 2019

All tracks:
Violin - Bernard Koundourajian
Oud and Singer - George Kalayjian
Deonbeg - Krikor "Tommy" Nersesian
with
Fingan (cup played with beads) - M. Kemkerian on "Golghosi Aghtchik," "Tamara," "Yeni Konyale," "Guzel Alem," "Halay," and "Oghlan Oghlan."

Research and title translations by Harry Kezelian.
Transfers and restoration by Ian Nagoski.

Thanks to James Dorian, Harold Hagopian, and Paul Sookiasian.

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