Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 414
Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
Member Is Offline
Mood: Learning
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Samir Azar - A BRILLIANT LUTHIER & A SAD STORY!!!
The first time I interacted with Samir Azar was about 7 years ago where I took the risk of asking someone I have never met to build me an oud.
We corresponded numerous times about the design details, including the type of wood, style...etc.
In the process, I learned a great deal about the oud as an instrument. Samir was VERY accommodating and answered all my questions with patience and
courtesy.
About a month later, my oud arrived...It is one of the BEST instruments I have ever seen in my life in terms of workmanship and performance. It has a
VERY powerful output with a nice sound and excellent sustain....I simply fell in love with my first floating bridge oud.
I called Samir to thank him for a brilliant job well-done. We became friends since then, despite the fact that we have never met in person.
I have fallen in love with Samir's oud to the point where I asked him, several years later, to build me another one from his most preferred wood,
sysam.
We became friends on FB. I emailed and called a few times to wish him a Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and throughout other occasions.
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Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 414
Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
Member Is Offline
Mood: Learning
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Today, his post on FB read as follows:
“My luthiery is knocked down...
As for me, my loss can never be compensated.
Twenty years of my life spent in manually toiling , dissolving my eyes and soul into my musical instruments I then shipped to more than twenty
countries are gone!
My shop is ravished and destroyed with the walnut, Indian rosewood, and ebony woods are used for heating.
My tools and precious archives went under the feet of the executioners.
It was my temple and sacred retreat.
My God Curse the Oppressors.”
I am not exaggerating if I say that we all lost a GREAT heritage by one of the best luthieres of our times. The good news is: I am sure that he will
have a comeback through his brilliant resiliance.
Please keep our dear friend Samir and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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Brian Prunka
Oud Junkie
Posts: 2939
Registered: 1-30-2004
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Member Is Online
Mood: Stringish
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I have often wondered how he was doing recently, and hoping for the best. This is sad, indeed. I hope that he and his family are (and remain) okay,
that is the most important thing.
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Aymara
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1162
Registered: 10-14-2009
Location: Germany / Ruhr Region
Member Is Offline
Mood: No Mood
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That are very bad news ... best wishes!
Greetings from Germany
Chris
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michoud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 383
Registered: 6-2-2006
Location: Spain
Member Is Offline
Mood: in the mooud again..
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Samir is a great luthier and a great man.
I meet him 6 years ago, he made an oud and one buzuk for me. I decide to go to Syria to take my instruments and visit the country. After that I went
to Syria, and I lived one year in Homs. I lived close to his workshop and his home, I used to go to him a lot, and I meet all his family ,which always
welcomed me.
I loved to visit him in his workshop, talk about music, oud making...
I´m in contact with him every time, and thanks God he and his family are all ok. They are out of Homs from some months ago.
I hope (well I think all of us) this nightmare will finish soon for the syrian people, and I hope that Samir will begin again to make great
instruments.
Good luck my friend, best wishes!
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Alan-TX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 118
Registered: 2-18-2008
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the update Hatem. I have been wondering about him recently. While sad about his workshop I am glad to hear that he and his family are Ok.
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arturo864
Oud Admirer
Posts: 3
Registered: 3-26-2012
Member Is Offline
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Those are sad news. One day after this was posted, I bought a Samir Azar oud, my first one. It was finished in May, 2010. My best wished to Samir Azar
and his family.
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Jason
Oud Junkie
Posts: 734
Registered: 9-17-2005
Location: Louisville, KY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Loving my oud
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Very sad to hear this. I hope he and his family can remain safe.
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abusin
Oud Junkie
Posts: 442
Registered: 3-23-2006
Location: Manchester England
Member Is Offline
Mood: Ya Fuadi La Tasal
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Thanks for the concern Hatem, all the best wishes to Samir and family and lets hope all this end soon,
Samir is a gentleman and a true musician and artist in his dealings and his craftmanship,
thanks all for the updates, I hope he can see this some day
Best Regards
Awad
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Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 414
Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
Member Is Offline
Mood: Learning
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Dear All,
Thanks for the compassion and the decency. I am sure our friend Samir will bounce back better than before. All we have to do is pray and hope that his
ordeal will be over soon.
A special thanks to those who contacted me and Samir on FB, including my dear friend Amos :-)
Best Regards,
Hatem
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cjmichael
Oud Junkie
Posts: 117
Registered: 4-22-2007
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Member Is Offline
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Very sad indeed. What a horrible loss. Wishing that he and his loved ones remain safe.
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Alan-TX
Oud Junkie
Posts: 118
Registered: 2-18-2008
Member Is Offline
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If any ones an instrument made by Samir consider posting a pic of it on his FB page.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samir-Azar/100002303956309
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Hatem_Afandi
Oud Junkie
Posts: 414
Registered: 2-26-2005
Location: TX
Member Is Offline
Mood: Learning
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Great idea, Alan.
I already did. I hope the rest of our friends will follow suit.
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