RAMgrd - 6-3-2005 at 09:25 PM
Sorry if this was already posted, I couln't find it when I searched the forums, but John Merjanian recently died at his home in Folsom PA (right
outside of Phila).
I was lucky enough to be in a situation to purchase an oud from him several years back, just as he was hitting his stride. As many of you who know of
John can probably attest, his stride never lasted that long, as he was constantly beset by health and financial difficulties. His work was a labor of
love. Unfortunately he never developed the business acumen or ambition to dominate his field. He was happiest making individual clients happy (or
ecstatic, as in most cases) either with new instruments lovingly tailored to the individual's specs (adding to the turnaround time & staggering
phone bills) or taking on seemingly impossible repair projects which often arrived to his house as a crate of sticks and splinters. As many of his
clients (and possibly some of you out there) found out, this resulted in maddening delays which seriously threatened his reputation at times.
Hopefully, more of his instruments will surface. I'm not sure if he ever made more than 50, but those I know whohave them treasure them. My Merjan
has withstood years of abuse in all of the worst playing environments you could imagine, and it still sounds beautiful whether in a recording studio,
a nightclub, or a quiet acoustic concert. As an earlier poster noted, his ouds are built to last, and it kills me that many of his instruments may be
hanging on walls or sitting in attics unappreciated by those who have them. I'm aware of more than a few that were purchased as novelties or
decorations.
I think what I love about this oud the most is that it's perfect for playing any kind of music. It's strong enough to be tuned up or down, so it
sounds at home within any mid-east music tradition. John was aware that I needed this kind of flexibility, and his instrument combines the size and
cosmetic style of a Turkish/Armenian oud with some of the shape and dimensional properties of fuller-sounding Arab ouds. This might not serve
everyone perfectly, but I'm pretty grateful for its characteristics. I'm not really sure how many John was able to make after mine was built (1988),
but they're bound to be similar in excellence.
Here's a sample of my Merjan:
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/jaffna-04.m3u
I know an earlier post (December?) addressed his whereabouts, but I'm curious if anyone out there has a Merjan or has played one and if their
experiences are similar? It would be a nice tribute now that he's passed (and hopefully you weren't still waiting for an instrument from him!)
paulO - 6-3-2005 at 10:28 PM
Thanks RAMgrd for a lovely description of John. I have 2 Merjanian ouds a 1985 and a 1987, both custom orders. To your description of conducting
business with John, I must add that he was a blast to BS with so the $$$ phone bills were worth it, especially when he had Greg Vosbikian play a
taksim over the phone, so I could hear what the newly finished oud sounded like. Not to take anything away from the many fine past and present
builders, but John had an esthetic with wood that was unsurpassed. His eye was just something special, and somehow, his hands would follow. 300
Lincoln St. will never be the same...
Just checked out your sample RAMgrd: of the 7 completely original Merjan's I've heard -- yours is one of the top two.
It has an open and very woody quality that John's "build em to last 1000 years" methods would sometimes stifle.
Of course years of playing made a difference too...and your style and touch are beautifull. Thanks for the recording, and "you got a really good one"
!!
mavrothis - 6-3-2005 at 11:54 PM
Hi guys,
I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Merjanian passed away. I wish I had had a chance to meet him, I'm originally from PA.
The oud sounds really beautiful, as does your playing. If any of you guys are ever in NYC let me know. I'd love to hear when you are performing in
the Philly area too, I might be able to catch it.
Zwi se mas.
Take care,
mavrothis
Jonathan - 6-4-2005 at 05:42 AM
RAMgrd, that was absolutely beautiful. Merjan ouds seem to have an almost magical hold over their owners. I have never even seen one. If anybody
has one and can post a picture, please do so.
Andy - 6-4-2005 at 11:01 AM
As some may have read in another message, I spoke to John not too long ago. When I asked him if I should call him Mr. Merjanian he said he'd rather I
call him John. John did ask me to tell Richie Berberian that he hadn't forgot him and would get to building his oud as soon as he got better. He
related some of his stories about his experiences on his oud building and talked about one person who brought a lot of happiness to him, Greg
Vosbikian visited John many times and played for him on one of his Merjanian ouds which of course John enjoyed very much.
Hope he had a peaceful ending, John Merjanian will not be forgotten.
oudmaker - 6-4-2005 at 11:08 AM
Roger
I am very sorry to hear our friend John passed away. Thank you letting us know.
Dincer
Andy - 6-4-2005 at 11:17 AM
Hello RAMgrd,
You can hear John's ouds on Leo Derderian's recordings. I will be talking to Leo Monday and will find out which recordings he is playing John's ouds
on. The other source of hearing a Merjanian oud would be Greg Vosbikian from the Vosbikian Band from Philly. John told me that his ouds were Greg's
favorites.
Andy
http://www.geocities.com/antronig/oud.html
Andy - 6-6-2005 at 08:21 AM
Spoke to Leo today and told me that all his recordings were made with his Merjanian ouds. You will find Leo at
http://www.cdbababy.com/cd/derderian
Merjanian
MrOud - 6-6-2005 at 11:18 AM
I am sorry to hear about his passing. His soul will continue be with us as long as his ouds are played.
Udi Mike
stephen - 7-8-2005 at 02:59 PM
Hi everyone, my name is Tamara, and as you all know my great uncle, john merjanian, passed away on May 12. I am so sorry that we were not able to post
a message here to let everyone know sooner, but since then things have been kind of hectic. But my family and I wanted to thank you all for all your
kind words, they really do mean alot. My uncle was not just an amazingly talented artist and not to mention a great storyteller but he was a kind and
caring man who would do anything for the people he cared about. Although he is no longer here with us there will always be a little piece of him with
us, whether it be by being one of the lucky few to have one of his beautiful ouds or like me, having some great memories of him. if any of you have
any stories, please feel free to share them. i know my family and i would love to hear them. Thank you all again.
take care,
The Merjanian's
Andy - 7-8-2005 at 07:49 PM
Hi Tamara,
I would love to hear stories about your uncle. I only spoke to him once on the phone and found him to be a very interesting man. He was eager to share
his experiences about the oud with me. Please don't feel sorry about not being able to post a message about your uncle John's passing we know it
must have a difficult time. Please pass on my sincerest condolences to your family.
Andy Kasparian
http://www.geocities.com/antronig/oud.html
Jonathan - 7-9-2005 at 06:42 AM
Tamara, thank you very much for your post. It is so difficult to lose a loved one. It is hard to express the depth of our loss, and words simply
fail to adequately express our sympathy for those who have suffered such a loss. May God comfort you.
It would be nice if, at some point in the future, you could give us a little more information on your uncle. Where he was born, who he learned oud
making from, how many he may have made, or any other little bits of info. Or, if perhaps you had a picture of him with one of his ouds. His ouds
will likely survive all of us, carrying his vision into a new world. This is little comfort, I know. But, perhaps it would make your uncle smile to
look down from heaven 100 years from now and seeing somebody stare at a Merjan label.
Jonathan Varjabedian
http://www.Varjouds.com
oudmaker - 7-9-2005 at 01:50 PM
Tamara
Are you Antony's dougther. If not could you tell me your relation to John as he being your great uncle?
Dincer