Paul Ohanesian

Armenian Oud

Paul has been involved with the San Francico Bay Area Armenian music scene since Age 8,as a percussionist under the tutelage of Charlie Alexanian. Paul picked up the oud in 1973; the result of a party conversation with a violinist and a drummer. In 1977 he joined Robaire Nakashian to work with his Belly Dance Troup – Zaghareet. The popular duo appeared at restaurants, festivals, and special events.He played concerts at the Bach Dynamite Society with Peter Dorian, and Alan Ishmael. He played oud duets with Joe Zeytoonian at the 1988 Mid East Camp, and in concert with Joe in 1990. Currently he’s playing oud and percussion with the traditional Egyptian band Al Azifoon.

Web site: www.sharifaandpaul.com/

Articles on Gilded Serpent by or about Paul

Paul demonstrates the Oud
Paul shows us his instrument, including the tuning he uses, why there are not frets, who his mentors are and the makers of his instrument.
Paul has been involved with the San Francisco Bay Area Armenian music scene since 1959,
as a percussionist under the tutelage of Charlie Alexanian. Paul picked up the oud in 1973;
the result of a party conversation with a violinist (Greg Mazmanian) and a drummer (Mark Toomajian).
In 1977 he joined Robaire Nakashian to work with his Belly Dance Troup – Zaghareet.
The popular duo appeared at restaurants, festivals, and special events.
Paul performed at the Bach Dynamite Society with Peter Dorian and Alan Ishmael.
He played oud duets with Joe Zeytoonian at the 1988 Mid East Camp, and in concert with Joe in Miami 1990.
Currently he’s playing oud and percussion with the traditional Egyptian band Al Azifoon.