The Ed Melikian Ensemble will present works from the repertoire of Armenian, Greek, Turkish and Arabic music.

Ed Melikian plays the oud, a pear-shaped string instrument that was first discovered in the 7th century in ancient Persia, and is featured in the music of Armenia, Turkey, Greece, Israel and the Arabic-speaking countries of the Middle East. It is considered the forerunner of all stringed instruments.

Over the years Ed has appeared in countless supper clubs and concert venues, and has recorded albums with numerous groups, including his own Ensemble. At one point his Ensemble played an eleven-year stint at the now-closed, iconic Sahara Restaurant in Worcester.

In addition to Ed, the other members of the Ensemble include some of the top talent in the field of Near and Middle Eastern music: Gary Kashmanian on dumbeg, and multi-instrumentalists Harry Bedrossian on keyboards, and Mal Barsamian on clarinet and sax.

Ed also hosts his own radio show, Ed’s Magic Carpet, on WCUW on the fourth Friday of each month from 2-4 pm. “On my show, I feature the same type of music we’ll be presenting in-concert on the 21st of June”, he said. “It’ll be fun, for sure!”

Showtime: Sunday, June 21, 6:00 pm. Doors open at 5:30. Tckets at the door are $20 cash or Venmo.

Light refreshments will be served.

The WCUW Frontroom is located at 910 Main St., Worcester MA. Parking in the Clark University lot across the street, or on the street.