Ara Dinkjian is an Armenian oud virtuoso born in the United States in 1958. His earliest professional musical experience was accompanying his father Onnik Dinkjian, a renowned Armenian folk and liturgical singer.
Ara learned several western and eastern instruments (piano, guitar, darbuka, clarinet) and in 1980 graduated from the Hartt College of Music, earning the country’s first and only special degree in the instrument for which he has become most well-known, the oud. For the past 35 years, he has continued his post as organist in the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Throughout his musical life, Ara has continued to develop his highly personal compositional style which blends his eastern and western roots. In 1985, to help realize these compositions and musical concepts, Ara formed his instrumental quartet, Night Ark, which recorded four CDs for RCA/BMG and Universal/PolyGram.
Night Ark’s recordings and concert tours were highly influential for musicians and music lovers throughout the world because they demonstrated how music can move forward while still retaining the dignity and soul of one’s culture.
These compositions have had a universal appeal; his songs have been recorded by world-famous instrumentalists and singers in thirteen different languages, demonstrating that music does indeed unite people and cultures. His hit song “Dinata, Dinata” was performed at the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympics. Many of his compositions have appeared in movie and television soundtracks.
Ara is also considered one of the best oud players in the world, with a very personal style that emphasizes his uniquely beautiful tone. He has appeared throughout the world on concert stages, oud festivals, seminars, and master classes.
His songs have been recorded by world-famous instrumentalists and singers in 16 different languages. Dinkjian’s hit song “Dinata, Dinata” was performed by Grek singer Eleftheria Arvanitaki at the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Athens Olympics.
In 2010, Ara Dinkjian formed The Secret Trio, along with clarinet virtuoso Ismail Lumanovski (New York Gypsy All-Stars) and kanun maestro Tamer Pinarbasi. The ensemble performs Turkish, Balkan Roma (Gypsy) and Armenian music.
Many of his compositions have appeared in movie and television soundtracks. He has appeared in 24 countries, performing at prestigious concert venues and oud festivals, and teaching master classes.
His discography includes Diyarbakiri Hokin (The Soul of Dikranagerd), a collaboration with his father Onnik; 1915 – 2015 Truth & Hope, commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; Live At Princeton University, with The Secret Trio and The New York Gypsy All-Star;, and Coexist with The Secret Trio.
His CDs An Armenian In America, Voice Of Armenians, and Peace On Earth were recorded live at the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Jerusalem International Oud Festivals.
The documentary film Garod tells the story of how Onnik Dinkjian kept Armenian folk music alive in the diaspora and handed it down to his son Ara.
Dinkjian continues to compose, perform, record, and teach, while creating his own unique musical world.
Discography
Moments (Novus, 1988)
Picture, with Night Ark (Novus, 1990)
In Wonderland, with Night Ark (Polygram Records, 1998)
Treasures, with Night Ark (Traditional Crossroads, 2000)
An Armenian In America (Krikor Music, 2005)
Voice Of Armenians (2006)
Peace On Earth (Krikor Music, 2007)
Soundscapes, with The Secret Trio (Traditional Crossroads, 2012)
Three of Us, with The Secret Trio (Traditional Crossroads, 2015)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.