Dancer to Musician – John Bilezikjian
By Oberon
Beloved … most people and particularly artists spend their entire life searching for someone to be beloved of … how powerful it is to be encouraged and cherished from an early age – embedded into a family rich with tradition, faith and love.
Beloved … a word that is so fitting – a word I’ll never ponder again without a vision of an artist from whom talent flows – a lifelong river of being golden in the life for which he worked and sacrificed. Look behind, present and in the future, you’ll see a legendary road carved out of unswerving values, intense strength of family and a refreshing, graceful attitude of thankfulness.
A voice so passionate that it has left me crying in the dark – a relationship with strings that moves the world – a new name for a man we either should or do recognize so well …
“ Beloved”, John Bilezikjian.
JB: Denise (O: AKA – Oberon) – thank-you for calling – for your interest in me.
O: John – I’m grateful for your time, you’re an icon and an inspiration to me.
JB: No matter how good you are you need to be recognized by your people.
O: John – the first time I heard you sing – do you remember – at the Green Onion in Portland, Oregon – I was mesmerized and I’ve heard others say the same.
JB: It’s funny – I just put out the 6th edition of the “Magic" (The Magic of John Bilezikjian), and I sang on the CD this time. I’ve always been interested in promoting someone else’s voice. So now people are beginning to comment on my voice to say “you have a passionate" or a “sexy voice” – rather than just commenting on my Oud performance.
O: Believe me, you may not have heard it but people have spoken of your voice for years. My own teacher Nemra Khan so loved the series “Julia’s Dream” that we knew that was her performance piece of choice. She danced in concert with you, Michael Beach and Ishmael at the Portland Art Museum - one of her favorite memories – and mine. And another favorite memory is sitting straight across from you when you performed the song about the Armenian Mother singing a lullaby to her child - a child who has died yet she holds in her arms. I’ll never forget the quiet and the tears.
JB: My wife Helen who has 25 years of operatic training sings that song, Oror, with me on the Yeraz CD. I tell you honestly Denise – this woman has changed my life!
O: How did you meet her?
JB: I was performing at a restaurant called “The Cascades” in Anaheim, California. It was the early 70’s. A good friend of mine also knew Helen. Helen was performing in the “King and I” with, “Opera by the Sea”, her own Opera company in San Juan Capistrano. They were in need of Siamese dancers for the production – but not finding any, this friend suggested looking at Belly Dancers instead. Helen came into the restaurant among a group from this production, and they sat right next to where I was performing. I was introduced to Helen and told of her classical training – I took her hand –I kissed it! Then I said, “Why are opera singers always so beautiful”?
Well, I don’t know if that did it, but she kept coming back to see me perform – and we developed a friendship. I went to see her perform at her church – she sang Ava Maria and I started bawling!
She is a Coloratura (O: As I understand it – a type of Soprano) with a 4 octave range. (O: relates to frequency and consistency of timbre as I understand it). We began to understand that we just couldn’t be without each other Denise and that is the truth of it!
O: So Romantic!
JB: As I said Denise – she changed me - before Helen I breathed, sang and thought Armenian. I started expanding my musical life when I met Helen – in a sense I became very American. I learned things I never even thought about – never thought I could learn. I mean Rock ‘n’ Roll, Country and Western, Latin music in addition to Middle Eastern Music. We collaborate in all kinds of interesting ways musically. I even transcribed Mozart’s – La Ci Darem La Mano (O: A noted aria from the opera, Don Giovanni). I re-wrote it for Helen’s voice and an accompanying Oud player. People would melt when they heard it – because of Helen not because of me. Anyway, we became known in musical circles as “The Opera singer and the Oud player”!
O: What a coincidence that you both have beautiful voices.
JB: Ah – but even though I can sing, I am not a trained singer. It is all from the heart.
O: What is your formal training John?
JB: I am a trained violinist. My Grandfather played the Oud and my father was a famous Violinist. I announced to my parents that I wanted to “play like Papa”. I started to play the violin at five and was concertizing with an orchestra by the time I was 10. My father would take me to the Hollywood Bowl wrapped in a blanket as well as the Wilshire Ebell Theatre where I watched, studied and listened to Jascha Heifetz, (O: A famous Russian violinist).
O: Where were you born John?
JB: In Los Angeles to wonderful parents! I had a King and a Queen for parents! Alice and Andrew Bilezikjian. I’m a first generation Armenian – American. My Grandfather was known in the old country as Altin Baba (gold father). His name was Haig. He owned the land in his village – and in those days his tenants would pay him with gold nuggets, so on occasion his table would be covered with them. A delightful story about him and my Grandmother Nectar; before they met, they lived 75 miles apart. One day my Grandfather Haig rode out on his horse (which happened to be white), and as he rode beside the Aintep (stream) – he saw a beautiful woman. He scooped her up and declared she was coming with him to his village. Upon taking her there, he sent word to her family that they would be married.
O: What an exciting, unusual beginning to your family!
JB: Believe me Denise – I didn’t come from any ordinary family. I had a storybook childhood.
O: Why did your Grandparents and parents move here?
JB: They came here to flee the Turkish Massacres of Armenians between 1895 and 1915. My Mother – my Father, they came here separately with their parents – my father from a village called Marash and my mother from the village of Mush. Both villages are in what we refer to as “Historical Armenia” now considered Turkey. They all came through Ellis Island. My Grandfather’s family settled in Washington Heights, New York and my Grandfather, with my father and my Uncle Albert started a mendellini (handkerchief) business and began to successfully sell their handkerchiefs –recognizable by a hand embroidered “B” in one corner, to Macy’s and other department stores. During that time, my Grandfather embroidered for a lot of big stars, Hedy Lamarr, Douglas Fairbanks, Lionel Barrymore to name a few.
O: How was it you were born in L.A?
JB: My mother and her family had settled in Detroit. Here is the unusual part. Both families had friends in California and both families came to different towns in California to visit their friends. One group of friends mentioned to the other that Andrew should meet Alice and when that happened my father was crazy with love. They stayed in California. My Grandfather moved his family into an immense 8,000 square foot house on Victoria Avenue between Venice and Pico. It was the old movie star lane – Hawkeye and the Lone Ranger lived 5 doors away. It had leaded glass and pull chain toilets.
O: You grew up living with your grandparents – how many siblings do you have?
JB: There was myself and my younger brother Edward (John and Edward, we were named for two of my Grandparents babies that died in the old country) and our younger sister Alice Ann. Our last name translates Bilezik (bracelet) and jian (son of) Son of Bracelet.
We grew up as I said with an ideal life – no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking – music was our drug.
We were strong in our faith – I walked around with 16 medals on the left side of my coat – the medals I received for attending church on Sunday – I still have them to this day. I started as an acolyte and then studied to be a Sagavart (Deacon) of our church. My people (Armenians), were the first to convert to Christianity in 301 A.D. I was raised right – love of family, God, music. Sundays after church, my Grandmother and my Mother made family dinners for 50 relatives. Pilaf and Kufta – ground beef and lamb with onion, shish-kabob, Manti and Kufta Yaghana (meatball soup w/ yogurt). There would be 500 meatballs. 100 of these would be made with walnuts inside and my brother and I made a game out of collecting the walnuts – who would find the most. Then we would play music and dance and sing.
O: So your Father played violin, your Grandfather played oud …
JB: My brother Edward who is now a famous Architect played clarinet, my mother was a phenomenal singer – my mother would sing to me – songs like the song you love - Oror, the lullaby. She would sing and I would write it down instead of just listening to her. I have several book shelves FILLED with black notebooks full of this music. My books reflect my culture and life.
Really Denise – this was our life. You know I have students who have said to me, “I would give my life to play like you” and I answer – “I have.” I chose to stay and practice instead of going with our friends, instead of dating – I loved my music, I was immersed in it.
QUOTE: I have never met a more gracious, honorable, and giving man. He always gives his students more than they probably deserve. . . ! Pat Olson, Pangia
O: You never had the urge to rebel – to go crazy as a teenager?
JB: Denise – why would I – rebel from what? I felt like I was in a life I had lived before – like I knew what to do. I had a band called “The Halehs”. The members were my brother Edward – playing clarinet – myself playing oud and violin, Raymond Mangigian playing tenor sax and second clarinet – Michael Tolegian on dumbeg, Harold Bazarian – 2nd dumbeg and Vaughn Vartanian on bass dumbeg. We practiced every Saturday and our parents drove us to our gigs. For $8.00 each and a shish-kabob dinner we would play our hearts out. I still have our set list and our 2,000 strong, song list. I actually still have a recording of us. That band lasted 8 years until Michael Tolegian sadly died of leukemia.
O: How was life at school?
JB: My grades were always A to B+ - always straight A’s in music – I always felt as if I had always known what I was about to learn from my professor. I loved my studies – I was first violinist ever since elementary school – concert master. I was also an athlete – excelled at shot put – I also played football.
O: When did you leave home?
JB: At 20 – I got married to a blonde haired Armenian girl that was at a dance with her mother. She was a folk dancer – a beautiful girl named Agavni (it means dove). I was carrying a heavy load in college during those years – came home, ate, and left to play three shows at a night-club. Eventually things became stressful between us and sadly we eventually divorced. It was during those years that I had my first major health crisis. I had never seen a doctor – I was never sick. I discovered a grapefruit size lump in one of my testicles. I saw a family doctor who mistaking it for a cyst – pierced it and I ended up bleeding and in the hospital. I had second stage testicular seminoma and the cancer had gone into my lymph nodes and into my body – I was fighting for my life. Luckily it was a fight I would win!
O: Three shows in a night-club heavy with smoke couldn’t have helped. How did your family feel about you playing in such a place?
JB: I started there at 17 – I just went to the Seventh Veil one night and asked to play. They auditioned me and hired me right away. I never lied to my parents so I told them right away that I got this job. They were reluctant – of course – they didn’t want me to end up a ”Chalagee”, a player in a low class night club. I made them a promise I wouldn’t drink or smoke and that I would never dishonor them and I’ve kept that promise even to this day.
O: I know your parents have passed away now.
JB: Yes and for the last two years of my Mother’s life, she lived with Helen and I. My mother loved Helen and in fact when I was touring with Leonard Cohen, I would send Helen money and she would take my Mother shopping, to dinner and everywhere. She was like a daughter to her. I always told my Mother, “Whatever you need, I am here for you”.
O: John –some people may not know about your career with movies. How did it start?
JB: When I was still in college. In 1968 in a way that was typical of me, I made an appointment to see Leith Stevens – head of instrumental music at Paramount studios in Hollywood. I met with him and Julian Davidson, then his assistant. I explained that I played 40 instruments and after looking at my portfolio and hearing me play the Oud they had work for me, unbelievably, right away!
O: NOTE 1: Here are at least some of the instruments this Virtuoso plays:
Violin, Oud, Mandolin, Balalaika, Ukelele, Viola, Bass, Kanun, Piano, Synthesized Keyboards, Celeste, Harpsichord, Organ, Dumbeg, Tabla, Dhola, Dhol, Davul, Tupan, Bendir, Frame Drums, Tambourine, Def, Daire, Zills, Recorder, Flute, G-Clarinet, Ney, Bouzouki, Tamburitza, Saz, Cura, Divan Saz, Ashik Saz, Baglama, Irish Bouzouki, Harp, Guitar, Cello, Domra.
NOTE 2: We think it is important to let you in on some history about the Flat Back Oud. Along about 1969 John met a wonderful musician, guitar builder who ultimately became one of his closet friends, named Mikhael Kollander. As both of them became more acquainted with one another, they started working together musically. At first, it was private parties, Television shows and then night clubs which were popular at the time, as venues for their performances. They became quite good and were known as "Kollander and Bilezikjian" (pictured here together).
They played music from all over the world as well as American music, (Country, Latin, Classical and Rock n’ Roll) and between them they played Oud, Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Violin, Mandolin as well as singing in 2 part harmony.
During this time, John sat down in a chair in order to play the Oud which was customary and still is today while Mikhael stood and performed. As they became more popular, it became evident to them that John needed to stand as well during their presentations. They decided that what was needed was an Oud that had a flat back in order to facilitate John standing as he did while playing and singing on the Bass, Violin and Mandolin with Mikhael.
And that led to Mikhael and John designing and manufacturing the first electric flat back oud in 1970 (shown here).
John and Mikhael used this instrument and electrified it as well with a Barcus-Berry transducer. It now has a stereo nylon string transducer with 12 pick-ups embedded in the bridge that allows a signal to come from each string to a junction box located outside of the instrument. This signal is then sent into an amplifier with a right and left side capabiltiy to control which side the performer would like each of the 11 strings on an Oud to be heard. It is the state of the art in electronics and the sound is incomparable.
They performed together for many years using this instrument in their musical revue around Los Angeles and Orange County night spots and private parties. Mikhael also designed the first electric steel stringed Oud (shown standing here). They used this as well in their performance presentations.
John and Mikhael are the first people to have come up with this idea and to have manufactured it in a prototype which John Bilezikjian still uses to this day.
NOTE 3: This is staggering. Here from John’s resume are the movies, documentaries, in fact all commercial endeavors that appear are listed – we have genius among us.
MOTION PICTURES AND DOCUMENTARIES
Dream-works ”Prince of Egypt”
Fox ”Anastasia”
Sony - ”Mission Impossible,” “Schindlers List”
Warner Bros.- “Affair to Remember,” “Maximum Risk,” “French Connection,”
“Must Love Dogs” 2005 License agreement, “Syriana” (2005)
Tristar-”Executive Decision”
Lorimar ”Telefon”
Universal- ”Postman Always Rings Twice,” “Ruby Cairo,” “Deception,” “Bashkaus,”
A. Egoyan, Canada- ”Exotica”
Village Road-show Productions-”Queen of the Damned”
Miramax (DVD)- ”Accidental Spy”
Orion- ”Spy Game” 2001
Ted Turner Films- ”XXX”
Armenian Film Foundation-”Voices from the Lake” (Documentary on Armenian Genocide)
Sonnet Films- ”Pomegranate”
Disney- “Hidalgo” 2002 “Untitled History Project” Oud and Violin-2006, “Sinbad”-2006
Private Source- ”Mirror Wars” 2005 David Robbins, Russian Production
Rusk Studios- ”Omar Khayyam” Farouk Ahi 2005
Egyptian Documentary- “Dreams Khalil” 2006
Private Source- “Out of Faith” Documentary- Miriam Cutler 2005
Private Source- ”Ali” Turkish Documentary
Culver Studios- ”Beowulf” recording and sidelining in film 2005
Showtime- “Sleeper Cell”
Universal “Charlie Wilson’s War” James Newton Howard 2007
“David and Fatima“ John Bisharat
TELEVISION
20th Century Fox- “30 Something”
Paramount- ”Mission Impossible,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Happy Days,” “Mork and Mindy”, “I Spy,” “Ohanian,” “Laverne and Shirley,” “Apples Way,”
“Wings of Eagles,” “Three’s Company”
Warner Bros.- ”The Pirate,” “Cheers,” “St. Elsewhere,” “21 Hours at Munich,” “Bionic
Woman,” “ Hart to Hart,” ‘Alice”
Private Source- ”Samson & Delilah” Maurice Jarre and Frank Capp
NBC- ”Princess Daisy-Lalo Schifrin
ABC- “Hardy Boys”-Stu Phillips
Universal Studios- “Voyagers”-Elliott Kaplan, “Greek and Egyptian Documentaries
KCET- Russian Presentation-Melissa Totten
Yoav Films- ”Golan Israel”-Israeli Documentary 2002
Hallmark Special- ”Ten Commandments” 2006
“Lions Gate” 2007
The Nativity Story
CAST PARTIES
Disney, Fox, Harliquinn Dinner Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, Aladdin, Anastasia, Zorba the Greek, Nine Armenians, Hunchback of Notre Dame
COMMERCIALS
DHL
Isuzu “Trooper”
Kit Kat Bar
Rice a Roni
Rold Gold Pretzels
….. and I believe I’ve seen others not listed here. And for the sake of continuous flow – I feel compelled to present even more of the picture of who this man is and what he has accomplished – this man with a presence in our (belly-dance) community!
RECORDINGS WITH WELL-KNOWN ARTISTS ON OTHER LABELS
Ridin’ High- Robert Palmer, Rock and New Age music
Kirya-Ofra Haza
De mi Alma Latina-Placido Domingo, Classical Latin Love Songs
Orientale Bouquet-Harry Saroyan
Leonard Cohen-Field Commander Cohen, Cohen Live in Concert and other recordings.
Record Plant Hollywood Ziggy Marley (Bob Marley) son 2002
CONCERTS AND STAGE PERFORMANCES
2006- Bouzouki soloist with Pasadena Pops Orchestra-Rachel Worby Conducting
2005- Oud soloist with Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall in Boston
2002-LA Jewish Symphony, Noreen Green Conductor Sephardic Music for Oud and Orch
1997- London CAIA, Centre for Armenian Information and Advice John and Helen
LA Philharmonic Orchestra November concert series-Balalaika soloist
JPaul Getty Museum-Malibu Closing ceremonies “International Music”
Mark Taper Forum-Nine Armenians Opening Night, Board of Directors Party
Reception for Nine Armenians
Skirball Cultural Center-Sephardic Concert Series
1996- Tifereth Israel Temple of Beverly Hills-Sephardic Concert
VJCC Van Nuys Sephardic Center Concert
Mission Hills Ararat Home President of Armenia Reception
1974-1996- LA Philharmonic Orchestra Concerts, Romeo and Juliette Ballet Mandolin
soloist
1995- “Fasl Taiseer” Debut of piece for Oud and Strings with American String Quartet (Dr. Janice Foy) Written by Miriam Gerberg
1989- Romeo & Juliette Ballet with LA Philharmonic Orchestra Hollywood Bowl
LA Philharmonic Orchestra Mahler vs Mozart Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of Music Center
1988- Oud Concerto of Vazken Muradian Debut with LA Mandolin Orchestra, Joel Lish
Conducting @ Santa Monica College
1987- Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo Oud with Pacific Palisades Symphony
Orchestra, Joel Lish Conducting at Pacific Palisades High School Auditorium
1986- Lute Concerto of Antonio Vivaldi Oud Soloist with LA Mandolin Orchestra, Joel Lish Conducting University of Judaism Brentwood
1980-present-Wilshire Tifereth Temple Beverly Hills King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia
of Spain command performance and presentation with Hazzan Isaac Behar
1980 & 1981-Wilshire Ebell Theatre Oud Concerts of John Bilezikjian Triple X Fraternity of
Los Angeles sponsored
1978- Sephardic Temple Beverly Hills, Command performance for Mrs.Anwar Sadat of
Egypt
1973- Wilshire Ebell Theatre Oud Concert of John Bilezikjian Live concert with Ensemble
WORLD TOURS
1979-1988 Leonard Cohen European Tours with Mama Concerts Oud & Mandolin
1988- Leonard Cohen Australian World Tour Mama Concerts Oud & Mandolin
LECTURES
2004-Sage College Troy New York, Dr. Steven Leibo Oud Lecture and Demonstration
2003-SCL Society of Composers and Lyricists Oud Lecture and Demonstration
1978-1997 GIT Guitar Institute Demonstration on Oud Tom Tedesco Class
1996-APS-Armenian Professional Society Lecture on origins of Armenian Music and
Demonstration
1989-UCLA Origins of the Oud and Style of John Bilezikjian Dr. Jihad Racy Chairman of
Ethnomusiciology Dept.
1988-UCLA Lecture on Armenian Music of John Bilezikjian Dr. Richard Hovannisian Chair
of Dept. of Armenian Studies
1988-USC Ethnomusicology Dept. Armenian Music and John Bilezikjian Dr. Anne Vardanian
1988-USC Sephardic Music Club The Oud and Sephardic Music
1986-SFVSC Music Dept. Lecture and Performance on the Oud
1986-UCSD Lecture and Demonstration of Armenian Music on the Oud Armenian studies
1974-Dana Hills High School Music Dept. Demonstration Dr. William Priestly
1967-Grant High School Music Dept. The Oud and Armenian Music
RADIO
KCRW-FM 89.9 Tom Snobel show
KPFK 90.7- Mario Cassetta show
KPFK 90.7- Roz and Howard Larman show
KUSC-FM- Bonnie Grice show
KPCC- Doug Johnson show
CLUBS AND RESTAURANTS
Too many to mention all
1965 to 1980- The Seventh Veil-Hollywood, The Cascades in Anaheim, The Fez-
Hollywood, Aladdin Restaurant -North Hollywood, Kabob Palace-Azusa,
Apadana-Newport Beach, Ararat Restaurant-Anaheim, Ali Baba-North
Hollywood
1980 to 1990- Greek Village-Hollywood, Grecian Gardens-Hollywood, Athenian-
Huntington Beach, Holiday Inn-Anaheim, Sheraton Hotel-San Pedro,
Buena Park Hotel-Buena Park, Beverly Hills Hotel-Beverly Hills
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
“ Creativity and Synthesis in the Music of John Bilezikjian” UCLA Publications/Thesis by
Gail Schwartz
“Who’s Who”, of Professional Artists Composers and Musicians, Copyright London
England 1992
“Who’s Who” among Armenians in North America 1994
“Most Outstanding Entertainer” Solo Performer 1993 from NAFISA, Gem Awards
“Best Entertainer” Solo Performer 1994 from NAFISA, Gem Awards
“Best Entertainer” Most Outstanding Group” Soloist & Group Category 1995 NAFISA,
Gem Awards
QUOTE:
"Good times and great music but not many people may know how much we laugh when we are together. JB is very special - one of my favorite people on the planet." . . . Michael Beach – Brothers of the Baladi
O. So, dare I ask – what of these are your most memorable?
JB: In the Middle Eastern Dance arena I had many memorable experiences with Tonya (of Tonya and Atlantis), because of the spontaneity and free expression that flowed between us – the kind of “thing” that can happen between musician and dancer when there is artistry on both parts. What happens at that moment can never be duplicated – a feeling so intense – I’m not sure that having sex has more intensity! No matter what I played – even a “Rock ’n’ Roll” segment, she would pick up on the music and express it and the audience went mad! We would often stray away from the norm just to create excitement – in a fun way - we believed in entertainment – giving the audience something for which they will return.
QUOTE:
“John transcends friendship and resides in the highest place in the Universe because He’s created the music of Angels for so many. I’m totally honored to have him as my friend”. Tonya – Tonya and Atlantis
O: In other arenas?
JB: Performing for Mrs. Anwar Sadat at a dinner for her at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
Performing for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain, when they visited the Sephardic temple, Tifereth Israel Temple in Los Angeles to apologize for what their ancestors did to the Sephardic Jews in 1492. My wife Helen sang the Star Spangled Banner at this event and we were presented to the King and Queen of Spain in performing a concert of Sephardic music in their honor.
Playing for President Mikhael Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan in 1987 at their summit meeting at the Le Meridian Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA. The John Bilezikjian Russian Folklore Dance Ensemble performed Russian songs and dance music in Gorbachev’s honor.
Of course, my Children and Grand-children being born. These are some memories among many I am grateful for.
O: With all these credentials – John who do you most admire.
JB: Denise, I admire my parents more than anyone in the world … and if I could sit down with God – have lunch for one hour – I would ask these questions as I listened at his feet.
Why was I lucky enough to get my parents?
Why illness?
Why was I chosen for such a gift?
I would say “please bless my family and loved ones”.
O: John – I know you have composed a slew of original music – and one piece I have loved, danced to endlessly and I know is beloved by dancers all over the world, “Jemilleh”. It would be so wrong not to ask how you came to write this song.
JB: I wrote Jemilleh in 1968. I took the beginning part of this melody from a PD work and added my own words and the second section to it with my own chords and harmony.
The song is about a dancer named Jemilleh. I was 17 years old and performing at the Red Lion Inn in Pomona on Sunday evenings with Louis Sayegh and this dancer named Jemilleh. She was a very beautiful Lebanese girl and we became friends. We use to talk about music, life and music and dancers. I wrote this song for her after watching her dance and because we were friends. The language of the song is Armenian. It says Ah Jemilleh, you sweet darling, Jemilleh Jemilleh. There is a lot of what the song infers since I am taken by this beautiful girl.
O: What is the favorite song you have ever written?
JB: I do not have a favorite song I ever composed. I hope that is still going to happen Denise. You know I woke up last night at 4AM with a melody in my head and had to write it down. I am always looking and searching for that inspiration to write a favorite song. Obviously I have not recorded this song since it has not been written yet!
O: John, I know you have been blessed with boys of your own.
JB: I have two sons, John David and George Hrant Bilezikjian. Both are musicians and both have children of their own. My wife, Helen also has two sons, Morgan and Mason who have children of their own so we are truly blessed.
O: Do your sons play music with you?
JB: Yes – both are in my Armenian band – The John Bilezikjian Band. We consist of, my wife, Helen, my sons George and John, Greg Hosharian on keyboards and Simeon Pillich and Greg Miller on Bass and Guitar respectively. Together we are building an empire of music and dance and we work under my own label “Dantz Records and Entertainment”.
O: When you perform – what are you hoping for?
JB: Passion – Fire! I want to make you cry, make you sad, happy – watch you have a visibly audible experience. I want you to be in the palm of my hand musically and to walk away with something permanent in your head and heart.
O: What is in the future for John Bilezikjian and crew?
JB: Denise – last year I went to the doctor to have my blood pressure checked. Suddenly creatinine levels went up and I found myself facing something that I had apparently carried for about 10 years. Despite the fact that I was watching what I ate I kept getting worse – shaking, nose-bleeds. My kidneys failed. Anyway, I am told that I have end stage renal disease that affects my liver, pancreas and heart. I have 2 catheters that stick out of my neck for the tubes that pump blood in and out during dialysis treatments. I have a shunt in my jugular vein. For the future I just pray to get well, and if God decides to take me, well I’ll be with the two people I love most in the world. Right now I am doing as I’ve always done, investing in my family – teaching my children and grandchildren. I’m my sons’ biggest fan. I have an overwhelming feeling of being blessed and I am overwhelmingly grateful.
O: What makes a remarkable life like the one you are living?
JB: My parents always unfailingly believed in me – I always felt loved. My mother always told me “You are born under a star – You were touched by God – God touched you on the forehead”.
NOTE: “When talking with John on the phone – he will unfailingly sing a few phrases in the conversation. Like having an impresario drop a jewel onto your ear – his voice so intimately yours for that 5 seconds – yes for that memory I am grateful.” . . Oberon – Oberon-magic
Contact John Bilezikjian - http://www.dantzrecords.com
Contact Tonya – http://www.tonya-and-atlantis.com
Contact Michael Beach - http://www.baladi.com
Contact Pat Olson - http://www.pangiaraks.com
Contact Oberon - Oberonmagic@msn.com