Valeriy Saakian 1402 McAndrews Road East Burnsville MN 55337 (952) 997-6505 (612) 730-8171 (952) 997-6505 vazgen@frontiernet.net Work Samples Audio: White Dance Gypsy Ach Tamar To hear the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Valeriy Saakian European accordion Valeriy Saakian is an experienced and versatile accordionist with nearly 30 of years experience playing professionally on two continents. Most of Valeriy's work is solo, but he is also comfortable working with his trio or quartet. Valeriy's music can represent most European ethnic groups in a variety of moods. He grew up with Armenian music, and also plays Russian, Jewish, and Azerbaijan styles. The accordion is used throughout Europe, and many accordionists play a variety of European styles. Audiences enjoy the variety Valeriy is able to offer. Available: Anytime Space: A stage large enough to accommodate the group or one musician, unless the musician is strolling, when there is no need for a stage; in some situations, a public address system is necessary. Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
Valeriy Saakian is a talented and versatile accordionist who plays tunes from many cultures.

In Europe and the United States, accordionists are often expected to be masters of many musical traditions. This is vividly true for Valeriy Saakian. Raised in a family of Armenian musicians in Azerbaijan, he learned early on to pick up songs by ear. Today, while Armenian music is closest to his heart, he is also skilled in Russian, Jewish, Turkish, Greek, Azerbaijani, and several other musical traditions.

Valeriy was born in Baku, Azerbaijan. His father and seven uncles were all musicians, and he vividly recalls regular weekend gatherings in which twenty or thirty people would gather in their home for music and celebration. Even before he began to play an instrument, Valeriy had learned many tunes by heart. When he was twelve, he began to play just for himself on his uncle's accordion, trying out tunes that he remembered. After he had gained a little skill, his father, whose instrument was the nahara (an Armenian hand drum), asked him if he would like to play together. The two would sit on the balcony of their home as they worked through many traditional tunes. Soon Valeriy had learned quite a bit about Armenian music, and the two had gained an audience of neighbors who would come to hear them practice. At the age of 16, Valeriy began to play at weddings with his family. Not long thereafter, his parents decided to send him to music school. The teacher immediately realized that his new pupil could pick up tunes very easily by ear, and he sent Valeriy back to his parents, telling them that there was no need to waste money on formal instruction.

In 1992, as conflict escalated in their homeland, Valeriy Saakian and his family fled to the U.S., leaving everything, including his accordion, behind. They settled at first in Bismarck, North Dakota. While there, Valeriy was asked to play for services at a local church. The church officials were so pleased with his playing that they gave him a new instrument. Word of his talents spread, and soon he was invited to play at other local events, including a performance with the local symphony orchestra.

Since moving to the Twin Cities, Valeriy has delighted audiences at schools, festivals, weddings, parties, and restaurants. His program is flexible, and can easily be adapted to many different venues and kinds of events. While most of his work is solo, he is also able to arrange performances as part of a trio or quartet.