Mike's Oud Forums

Detroit Oudist Bob (Clovis) Berbari

DMB - 7-11-2018 at 08:49 AM

Searching for anyone who knew or played with the very talented oudist Bob Berbari and his band from Detroit. His reign lasted during the 50's through the late 70's (Bob is the son of George Berbari who was also an Oudist and a singer. George played at Danny Thomas' wedding and cut 4 records in New York in the 1940's). Bob is known to have played at the Cedars of Lebanon across from the Fox Theater often, the Caravan (at the time on derbeke was Tom Shaad and the flutist was an Armenian named Hajik Kaarian), a long stint at the Club Sahara in Montreal with Monsour Bydoin on derbecke and was on Montreal's tv 12 every friday evening (the Sahara was owned by the belly dancer Fawzia Amir). Bob was in California playing often and was very good friends with the Hollywood Oudist Uncle Tom Toufic Barham. Bob also recorded records and toured with the late great Laurice Peters band with the likes of UCLA's AJ Racy (Laurice Peters is on itunes if you are interested in hearing Bob's playing), please see his other bandmates with Miss Peters below on her record cover in case you know them. Bob also performed on the WXON TV 20 Detroit show "Middle East Melodies", by the way does anyone know if this program is archived? Bob's band played at the U of M school of Music too. Please see the flyers and pictures of Bob Berbari in hopes it sparks a memory. Did anyone know, play, or see old reels of Bob Berbari?

Bob Berbari on Oud.jpg - 172kB Clovis from flyer.PNG - 54kB Clovis Flyer.jpg - 25kB Bob Berbari Band 2.jpg.png - 193kB U of M Music College.jpg - 62kB

Screenshot (766).png - 290kB