Haig Yazdjian

Musician – Oud

Haig Yazdjian, born in Syria to Armenian parents, has lived and worked in Greece since 1980. It is strange, but while in Greece he discovered the captivating elements of Eastern music and found in the oud a way to express
his musical pursuits.

 

The release of his first album, Talar ("Evergreen"), in 1996, increased his fame but, above all, highlighted him as one of the most talented and promising composers of his generation. Haig Yazdjian stood out for his unique way of blending diverse elements of traditional Eastern Mediterranean music, firmly believing that tradition is a living, creative force.
Two years later, he released his second album, Garin, and the single Gift, which were enthusiastically received by both the public and critics. At the same time, he gained the respect and recognition of important names in Greek music with whom Haig collaborated.
In the summer of 2000, he released a CD of the music he wrote for the play The Beast on the Moon, which was staged in Athens during the 1999-2000 season, an album that marked a new direction in his musical explorations.
In 2001, at a point of expressive and performative maturity, he released the album Yeraz, a dreamlike world for listeners with similar sensibilities.
In 2007, Haig Yazdjian released his fourth solo album, entitled Amalur. "Amalur" means "Mother Earth" in the Basque language. Haig, a citizen of the world, feels that the sound of the word Amalur "beats" to the same rhythm as his music. Starting from his distinctive compositional style and the unique sound of the oud, Amalur
follows and records Haig's musical journey through live performances.

In 2007, Haig Yazdjian released his fourth solo album, entitled Amalur. "Amalur" means "Mother Earth" in the Basque language. Haig, a citizen of the world, feels that the sound of the word Amalur "beats" to the same rhythm as his music. Starting from his distinctive compositional style and the unique sound of the oud, Amalur
follows and records Haig's musical journey through his live performances, his collaboration with internationally renowned musicians, his experimentation with new forms of expression such as the electric oud (the first recording of the instrument on an international album), and important recording collaborations such as with Eleftheria Arvanitaki, who performs the song "The Desert" with lyrics by Nikos Moraitis, and with internationally renowned oud player and composer Ara Dinckjian from the legendary Night Ark.

Haig Yazdjian has collaborated with many important Greek composers and singers, as well as internationally renowned soloists. Among them are Nikos Portokaloglou, Nikos Xydakis, Giorgos Dalaras, Savina Yannatou, Maria Farantouri, Dimitra Galani, Elli Paspala, David Lynch, Giotis Kiourtsoglou, Thodoris Kotonias, Michalis Nikoloudis, Dave Spilain, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Djivan Gasparyan, Ara Dinkjan, Theodossii Spassov, Glen Velez, and others.

In 2005, he was selected by Loreena McKennitt and participated, along with a select group of Greek virtuosos, in her album An Ancient Muse, which was recorded at Peter Gabriel's legendary Real World Studios. Haig Yazdjian also participated in the Canadian diva's subsequent world tour, which was recorded on the double DVD/CD Nights from the Alhambra.

In 2008 and 2009, Haig Yazdjian collaborated with one of Greece's most important performers, Eleni Vitali. Together they performed a series of live shows throughout the country, and their collaboration on stage was recorded on the double CD Zontano Kyttaro.

In 2017, Haig Yazdjian had a "soul encounter" with the great folk singer Fotini Velesiotou. The two of them "visited" many music venues in Athens, Thessaloniki, and the rest of Greece.