Hovsep Shamlian, Sheg Mazerov Er/Atamant Madani Me
Name/Title
Hovsep Shamlian, Sheg Mazerov Er/Atamant Madani MeDescription
Hovsep Shamlian was an influential Armenian-American singer, songwriter, and kanon player, born in 1872 in Diyarbakir (Dikranagerd), Ottoman Empire. He immigrated to the United States in 1902, settling in West Hoboken, New Jersey, a hub for the Dikranagerd Armenian community. There, he and his wife, Manoush, raised four children, and Hovsep worked various jobs, including running his own restaurant and café. In the 1920s, Shamlian began performing as a singer and kanon player alongside other musicians in the community, such as Harry Hasekian and Marko Melkon Alemsherian, who were well-versed in the folk music of Western Armenia. Around 1924, he started producing recordings on his own self-titled label, distinguishing his work by labeling it as "Armenian Orchestra," a departure from the more generic "Oriental" label used by others. Shamlian released eight records in 1927 to which many have become staples of the Armenian-American musical repertoire, including songs like "Sheg Mazerov" and "Hasaguet Partzer" (now known as "Kale Kale"). Another notable composition, "Gamavor Zinvor," serves as a historic testament to the Armenian Legionnaires who fought in World War I under the French flag. Shamlian's contributions significantly influenced the development of Armenian-American music, bridging traditional folk melodies with new compositions that resonated with the diaspora community. His work laid the foundation for future generations of Armenian musicians in America. Hovsep Shamlian passed away on January 29, 1931, in Union City, New Jersey.Audio Format
78 RPM RecordRecording Type
MusicCategory
Vinyl Record