Album Notes

Jim Karagozian is a seasoned performer and talented kanun player. He has been performing for over 20 years in various ensembles and small combo groups.

Jim's earliest professional performing experiences began in 1979 when he hooked up with four other musicians from the South Valley. The young men formed a band and began playing picnics, weddings and other private functions. This alliance lasted for nearly 15 years. Meanwhile, Jim continued playing with other musicians in both formal and informal settings. Jim and his brother, Ed (who plays doumbek), occasionally performed together in small combo groups and as backup musicians for dancers in the Central Valley. Along with yet another doumbek player, Jim eventually became a regular at the legendary Wild Blue Yonder in Fresno's Tower District, performing music for a local Middle Eastern dance troupe.

Beginning in the nineties, Jim, Khatchig Jingirian and Michel Awad formed the group "Shenaz" to perform for private and public functions. That group held a long-standing booking at La Maison du Cafe near Fresno State University.

By 1999, Jim Karagozian, Eddie Karagozian and Michel Awad were playing together regularly as an instrumental trio. It was within this time period that the name "Mirage" was taken. Mirage continued playing venues with various guest performers until 2001 when Khatchig Jingirian formally joined the trio and completed the band.

Jim's talent as a kanun player is well known in California. His his kanun work is featured on the recordings of other artists, and he receives numerous invitations to perform with some of the most notable Middle Eastern musicians throughout the state.

... November 2002