Joyful World Journey
Artashes Kartalyan
Artashes Kartalyan (born 1961; Yerevan, Armenia) is the composer of numerous symphonic and chamber works, as well as film and television scores. Kartalyan is also a jazz musician with an academic background (Doctor of Musical Arts in music composition). His compositions abound in melodic and rhythmic elements drawing inspiration with their sources in Armenian folk music. He is the leader of one of the first jazz trios in Armenia, known as the “Kartalyan Jazz Trio,” As a leader, he made his recording debut in1986 at “Melodia” records with his trio release (folk jazz Project) and has appeared in well-known jazz festivals all over world. The trio was also featured in an edition of LA Weekly as "the jazz pick of the week" (Nov. 1991). His jazz CD's were nominated and won awards at the Armenian music awards in 2000. A prolific arranger, master orchestrator, and brilliant pianist, Kartalyan is the Music Director for various bands and orchestras based in California.
“BEST COMPOSER” AWARDS IN 12 international FILM FESTIVALS:
2022 Chicago Indie Film Awards, award for "Best Composer"
2023 The American Christian Film Festival, award for "Best Music"
2023 Your Way International Film Festival in France, award for "Best Composer"
2023 American Golden PictureInternational Film Festival in Florida, award for "Best Composer"
2023 MarchEastern Europe Film Festival, award for"Best Original Music"
2023 AprilRameshwaram International Film Festival in India, award for "BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR FEATURE FILM"
2023 AprilAt the International Anatolian FilmAwards (AFA) the film "The AmericanGood Samaritans" won"Best Music Feature Film"
At the Golden Fern Film AwardsInternational Film Festival the film "The American Good Samaritans" won "BestFilm Score -Soundtrack"
2023 JuneAt Star International Film FestivalFirenze, award for "Best Composer"
2023Film & Script Festival Lotus, Athens, award for "Best Original Soundtrack"
2023Film & Script Festival Lotus, Athens, award for "Best Composer"
2023 SepMilan Gold Awards International Film Festival, Best Original Score.
Ninos Dikho
Ninos, an Assyrian American hailing from Sacramento, is a highly sought-after musician celebrated for his exceptional ability to seamlessly blend diverse music styles. A virtuoso guitarist, composer, and arranger, Ninos's musical journey began at the age of twelve in Iraq, leading him to a fascinating pinnacle in his career with worldwide tours alongside renowned Persian and Middle Eastern artists.
Despite his success, Ninos temporarily withdrew from touring between 2009 and 2019 to pursue and complete his education, earning a Master's in Classical Music Performance (Guitar). Currently serving as a music lecturer at Stanislaus State University in Turlock, CA, Ninos not only imparts his knowledge to students but also supports his community as a music instructor and music director for church choirs.
With a rich repertoire spanning classical, pop, rock, blues, and Middle Eastern genres, Ninos's versatility and virtuosity captivate audiences. His commitment to education, international experience, and community engagement solidify his standing as a multifaceted and in-demand figure in the music industry.
Keyavash Nourai
Keyavash Nourai commenced his passion for playing the violin in Iran with renowned Kamancheh player Ostad Kamran Daroughe. Upon his arrival to the United States in the Late-seventies, he studied classical violin with Alexander Treger, the concertmaster of the LA philharmonic. Later he studied Paganini Caprices under the tutelage of Eugene Fodor, and Indian style violin with L.Subramaniam and L.Shankar. He also studied jazz harmony and piano with Dr. Artashes Kartalyan. Nourai holds a Bachelors and a Masters degree in World Music, and Classical Violin and Composition from Cal-Arts. During his academic training and career, he pursued Classical Persian music and professionally mastered several Persian instruments such as Kamancheh, Santur, Setar and Tombak. Assimilating and teaching Saba's radif on violin and Santur; as well as Mirza Abdola's radif on Setar and Violin. Additionally performing radif on piano with the style of M.H Shahrdar. Nourai has combined his influence of both Western and Eastern training along with Indian and Jazz to create his own style of Violin and Kamancheh. Nourai's career includes multiple recordings of Indian and Arabic music on violin and cello along with pop-classical style for a variety of artists. He has performed internationally in Canada, Europe and Middle East with legendary singers Hayedeh, Ebi, Aref, Siamak Shajarian, Mohsen Namjoo, Sousan Dayhim and Strunz and Farah. Nourai has released two CDs with Shahrokh Yadegari named "Migration" and "Green Memories" (featuring Azam Ali). Currently, he is working on several original compositions and arrangements with Mohsen Namjoo for a full orchestra. Arrangements also include a piece for him called "Daf" played by Netherlands Blazer Ensemble. He has been teaching music at UC San Deigo as a lecturer since 2019.
Ardeshir Farah
Ardeshir Farah has performed over 2000 concerts in the USA, South and Central America, Europe, and Asia and has recorded twenty-one albums with his partner Jorge Strunz since 1979 in the context of a guitar duo called Strunz & Farah. Strunz & Farah met in Los Angeles. They were nominated for a Grammy award for Best World Music Album of the Year in 1992, together with The Gipsy Kings, Sérgio Mendes, and two other groups. Ardeshir was born in Iran. His guitar playing style is highly virtuosic, rhythmic, and improvisation-rich, inspiring fans and many guitarists worldwide. Strunz & Farah have shared the stage with many famous Jazz, pop, and rock artists like Jackson Browne, Miles Davis, George Benson, and many others. Al Di Meola played percussion on one of Strunz & Farah’s pieces on their last album, released on March 3, 2023. For more info on Ardeshir Farah and Strunz & Farah, please visit www.strunzandfarah.com
Jamie Dubberly
James (Jamie) Dubberly, hailing from Brunswick, GA, has established a reputation as one of the top trombonists, educators, and arrangers in northern California. He currently serves on the faculties of University of the Pacific's Conservatory of Music, and California State University-Stanislaus as lecturer. As a trombonist , he has recorded, and/or performed with a wide range of artists, including Sheila E, Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Luis Enrique, Hartford Symphony Orchestra, Emerson String Quartet, Bobby Caldwell, Chris Potter, The Temptations, La India, Johnny Mathis, Jon Faddis, Andy Montanez, Michael Stuart, Greg Tardy, Fred Wesley, Lyrics Born, Wayne Wallace, Herman Olivera, Steve Davis, Frankie Vazquez, and ldina Menzel, among many others, and has worked with several touring orchestras for Broadway productions (U.S. and International). He has performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival, Tempo Latino (m France), San Jose Jazz Festival, Summerstage Festival (Central Park, NYC), Stern Grove Festival ( SF) , Brubeck Festival, and in premier venues such as Yoshi's, SF Jazz Center, and the Blue Note (Napa).
In 2014, Jamie earned a Grammy award for his participation in the Pacific Mambo Orchestra debut album ( "best tropical latin album" in 56th annual Grammy awards), and continues to perform with that group as well as the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel, Somos el Son, Candela, Cabanijazz Project, Opera Modesto, Mazacote, Realistic Orchestra, and a host of other groups in northern California. He also leads his own highly acclaimed latin jazz groups "Orquesta Dharma", and "Dharma Brass Band", and is an active as a composer and arranger, published by 3-2 Music Publishing, and others.
Pierre Noghli
Pierre’s fascination for drums began at the early age, when he stumbled upon a drum catalog that belonged to his uncle, Master Drummer Robert Noghli. It was then when he realized that he was destined to make music. It wasn’t until the age of ten that Pierre received his first blue agate 1960’s Slingerland drum set.
His uncle Robert taught him the basics and that’s how his music career began.
Pierre has performed along with some of the finest Assyrian musicians and singers such as the late Sooren, Ashur Betsargis, Shamiram Urshan, Linda George and Ogin Betsamo.
In the 1985 Pierre and his dear friend Shahabal Shapare contributed to starting a band named “Black Cats” in the United States. Shortly after, Pierre moved on to perform in concerts with some of the greatest Iranian, Armenian, and Greek Artist including the late Vigen, Hayedeh, Shaharam, Andy & Kouros, Ebi, Moein and Bijan Mortazavi.
Pierre has promoted and produced concerts for many artists. In 2007, he brought the renowned violinist Bijan Mortazavi to the Central Valley for a performance at the State Theatre in Modesto.
In 2008 he created Domara Orchestra with the help of his great friends Joseph Warda, Nick Yonan, Ninos Dikho, and Ashur Jacob working tirelessly to make this dream a reality.
Pierre introduced Mesopotamian Night 2008 and ACERO 2009 for the first time at the Gallo Center for the Arts.
Over the past 40 years, Pierre has developed a dynamic and diverse style of drumming, though he was never formally trained.
He continued to devote his everlasting love of music by performing all around the world with his long time comrade Bijan Mortazavi and other Persian artists until 2018.
Beyond promoting, producing, directing, and touring, Pierre has built a solid successful business as a salon owner and hairstylist. In his free time he thrives by riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle on endless trails.
Pierre’s ultimate passion is spending quality time with his wife Monika and his three beautiful daughter’s Monique, Natalya and Sofia.
Sargon Yonan
Sargon Yonan's journey started in 1944 when he was born in the land historically known as Mesopotamia: Baghdad, Iraq. His fascination with music began at a very young age, and he found himself starting to play various instruments by the age of twelve. Sargon, or as his friends know him, "Sarge", plays many instruments including the accordion, clarinet, piano and kanun. However, the instrument Sargon is the most passionate about is the Oud due to his early influence by the artists Jamil Bashir and Munir Bashir.
Sargon and his family moved to Chicago in 1962 where he continued his schooling and excelled at his other passion in life, the arts. In 1965, he won a national art competition where he was presented with an award by the mayor of Chicago, Richard J. Daley. This recognition gave Sargon the motivation to dive deeper into his love for creating fine artwork.
In the 70's, Sargon ultimately decided his career would be in dental technology, finishing the requisite dental schooling and subsequently opening his own dental laboratory. He was considered to be a master technician at an early age. Sargon's skills were recognized by many in the industry and he was ultimately called upon in the early 80's to create a full dental restoration for the one and only, Liberace.
In 1977, he opened up a state of the art professional recording studio and started a record label called S.Y. Records. A wealth of early Assyrian music was created in this studio where Sargon not only performed on the albums but also produced them. He opened the doors up for many pioneering artists who otherwise wouldn't have the means to record their music.
In 1978, Sargon married the love of his life, his beautiful wife Feona. Together they have two sons, Nick and Jason, who also carry their father's passion for music.
In 1983, Sargon asked his dear friend Robert Noghli, a master drummer, to co-manage the recording studio and label. Working together with Robert was one of the happiest times for Sargon and they successfully produced some of the most well-regarded Assyrians records. During the label's time, it produced about sixty five albums, encompassing a wide array of different musical genres.
In 1986, Sargon moved his family to Turlock where he continued his successful dental business and began serving a majority of dentists in the community. Simultaneously, he was still an active performing musician as well as a fine art painter. Sargon has also been a devoted personality in the Assyrian community and played many roles over the course of thirty two years for the Assyrian Church of the East.
Sargon has continuously worked with artists and musicians from around the world and has been a member of Domara Orchestra since 2009. Considering his achievements, I believe it would be safe to say that Sargon hasn't missed a beat nor a brush stroke in this adventure we call life.
John Ady
John Ady is an in demand bassist in Modesto, CA. After attending CSU Stanislaus he has played Electric and Upright Bass in a wide range of styles including Afro-Cuban, Jazz, Theater pits, Pop/Rock, Assyrian Pop and Gypsy Jazz. He enjoys the variety of music he has been blessed to be able to play.
He has had many opportunities to back up and record with world class artists such as John Faddis, James Moody, Carol Channing, Ashur Bet Sargas, Linda George, Mic Gillette, Ed Thigpen, Walter Aziz, Clark Terry, Bill Watrous, Gigi Ganaway and many others. He currently plays with Josh Pfeiffer, The CONY Trio, The Mario Flores Latin Jazz Band, Y.E.S. Company and a variety of other acts and recording projects.
John believes that in a time of great division, music can unite us and bring us back together.
Mitchell Beck
Mitchell Beck is a performer and music educator based in Modesto, California. He performs on a variety of woodwind instruments, including bassoon, saxophones, clarinet, flute, and more. Recent projects include performing and recording bassoon parts for Modesto Opera's The Race, reed parts for YES Company's production of Annie, and reeds/flute for world music band Domara Orchestra.
Beck holds a degree in Music Education from University of the Pacific. He currently teaches general music and band at George Kelly School in Tracy, CA.
David Livingston
David Livingston has been playing trumpet for more than 45 years. In his career he has played many styles of music including Swing, Funk, Classical, Rock, R&B, Assyrian Pop and Afro-Cuban latin.
David's credits include playing backup to (or sitting in ensemble with) such artists as Ashley Alexander, Carl Anderson, Gabe Baltazar, Les Benedict, Cornelius Bumpus, Carol Channing, Jonne Dendinger, Jon Faddis, Mary Fettig, The Four Freshmen, David Garibaldi, Mic Gillette, Mambo Hernandez, Marvin McFadden, James Moody, Barbara Morrison, Bob Newhart, Josh Pfeiffer, Joan Rivers, Arturo Sandoval, Paul Santos, Slim Man, The Temptations, Clark Terry, Mike Vax, Kenny Washington, Bill Watrous and Roger Wood. Ensembles include the Columbia Kicks Big Band, Dean-o-Holics, Ernie Bucio Little Big Band, Highway 99 Band, Jazz Unlimited Big Band, Kid Charlemagne, Knight Sounds Big Band, Modesto Band of Stanislaus County, Modesto Junior College Community Concert Band, Modesto Junior College Evening Jazz Ensemble, John Mueller's “Winter Dance Party," Orquesta Ritmo de Ernesto Bucio, Peter Petty's Titans of Terpsichore, Rewind Party Band and Ron Davis' High Class Brass. David's lead playing can be heard on the Carol Channing CDs "For Heaven's Sake" and "True To The Red, White & Blue."
Carlos Caro
A native of Havana, Cuba, Carlos Caro was musically educated throughout his youth, graduating from the ENIA (National School of Arts Instructors), after which he began his professional career with the group “Clave.” He has performed on tour with and has recorded for some of Cuba's biggest names in music including Paulo Fernandez Gallo and Jackeline Castellano's best selling "La Dama Del Son"Caro immigrated to Mexico City in 1993 where he was commissioned to record and perform a work in the Danzon style with the Mexico City Philharmonic. He then appeared on the West Coast music scene in 1996 to quickly become one of the most sought-after Latin percussionists, simultaneously playing in the best Cubano, Salsa, and Latin Rock bands throughout the San Francisco bay area. He has performed with Rebeca Mauleón, Omar Sosa,Eddie Palmieri, Armando Perazza,Jorge Santana & Malo,Nachito Herrera,Calixto Oviedo,QBA,Cubanismo,David Bass,Avance,Ramon Romero & Cuerdas de Fuego, Danny Lozada,Jose Pepito Gomez and performed with the Cuban Singer Adonis Puentes at the Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.Carlos Caro released two albums with the group Vission Latina and two with the new sensational trio “VL Trio”. He did in 2015 a 6 months tour with the legendaries “Tigres del norte” and 2019 to 2021.
He recorded 4 albums with Vission Latina group that he lead along with pianist Marco Diaz and bassist Saul Sierra.
He won two Latin Grammies one with Pacific Mambo Orquestra and also with Los Tigres del norte.
Michael Tamaraz
Michael developed a love for music and percussion instruments at the young age of ten years old. He would grab his mother's pots and pans and started playing rhythmic patterns that started to sound like music.
As a teenager, his love for percussion became deeper and he started taking lessons and learning Latin Percussion such as Congas and Bongos.
When he was still living in Tehran, Iran, he performed in concert and studio recordings with many pop Persian artists.
In 2007 Michael and his family migrated to the United States. He has continued his career as a percussionist for Assyrian and Persian music. Tonight he is performing as a member of the Domara Orchestra.
Patrick Governor
A multi-instrumentalist, Patrick's musical education began at the piano, where he was classically trained. During his high school years his passion shifted to the guitar. Patrick began to play professionally in his early twenties performing on keyboards and guitar. Fluent in many styles, Governor continues to perform locally and throughout the region. Patrick has studied music for over 35 years. A natural progression of events has led him to the path of teaching, giving him the opportunity to share his experience and love of music with students of all ages.
Jimmy Goings
Jimmy has been active in the Bay Area music scene beginning in the 1980s and was the lead singer for Santa Esmeralda. Jimmy has recorded, played and produced for Philips, Polydor, Arista and Warner Bros Records.
