Souren Baronian

A multi-talented master musician Souren Baronian performs on G Clarinet, soprano and baritone sax, duduk, ney and percussion instruments. He grew up in Harlem, the son of Armenian refugees. He shined shoes as a kid and hung out at jazz clubs on 52nd St where he heard Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and other masters. of the day. In particular, he was influenced by ‘Prez” Lester Young.  He studied with the legendary Bebop pianist Lennie Tristano. At the same time he developed a keen interest in Middle Eastern music. He took lessons from the Turkish clarinet virtuoso Safet Gundeger. He was a founding member of the Nor-Ike ensemble in New York in 1950.