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Multi-instrumentalist Malcolm Barsamian grew up in a household rich in Middle Eastern music. He comes from a family of Oud players starting from his grandfather, his father, his great -uncle, and uncle. His father, Leo, had four--year-old Malcolm sitting in on dumbeg at Armenian picnics. As a youngster, Barsamian listened to old recordings of Armenian and Middle Eastern Masters, picking up the ability to improvise. Classical training enhanced his musical skills and his ability to perform Armenian and Middle Eastern music.
He has gone on to become a sought after player of the oud and dumbeg, as well as instruments such as clarinet, guitar, and saxophone in the Armenian and Greek communities for over thirty years. Barsamian is well schooled in the underlying theory of Turkish classical music, and related music of the Middle East, Armenia, and the Balkan countries. In addition to teaching, Barsamian plays regular for concerts, community events, weddings, and festivals concerts, reinvigorating and preserving the music of his Armenian heritage.
In 2014, Barsasmian was named a traditional arts finalist in the Mass Cultural Council Artist Fellowships. Selected recordings and performances include One Take:: Armenian Dance Songs, 2005; Armenian Festival, multiple years, Watertown, MA; Armenian Festival, 2008; Birmingham, MI; Lowell Folk Festival, 2012, Lowell, MA; The St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, Arlington, MA; Tufts University, 2010, Medford, MA; The African Museum, 2013, Detroit, MI.
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