“Through his fresh approach to the ancient oud, Raffi Joe Wartanian exudes dexterity, nuance, and compositional finesse. His music organically traverses genres with a subtle ease and fluency, often intertwining multiple traditions and influences in a way that feels cohesive, authentic, and innovative. In doing so, he not only honors the oud’s rich history, but also expands its possibilities. With MAKAM DELTA, his new album of oud compositions, he has moved the music and instrument forward to new frontiers.”
MAKAM DELTA is a forthcoming album of 10 instrumental compositions for oud and ensemble. Made possible with the support of Levantine Music, UCLA Armenian Music Program, AGBU Performing Arts Department, and Producer Gaby Moreno. The title track, Makam Delta, was released as a single on 24 July 2026. https://releases.levantinemusic.com/makamdelta
Armenian folk meets Appalachian bluegrass in a Brooklyn tango bar. CRITICAL DISTANCE (2019) features 10 instrumental compositions on guitar, oud, and mandolin.
Available on Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud, Amazon Music, Google Play, Apple Music, Bandcamp, iHeart Radio, Anghami, Deezer, and beyond. ★ Liner notes here.
Frank Zappa meets Dick Dale meets Salvador Dali in Raffi Joe Wartanian’s extravaganza of gypsy zest. PUSHKIN STREET (2013) — named after Yerevan, Armenia's hub of progressive music — is the debut album of 11 singer-songwriter tracks.
Available on Spotify, YouTube, Soundcloud, Amazon Music, Google Play, Apple Music, Bandcamp, iHeart Radio, Anghami, Deezer, and beyond. ★ Liner notes here.
Eileen Khatchadourian is an award winning Lebanese-Armenian vocalist. Her sophomore release Titernig (2015), was recorded at I-Want Studios / Mastered at Abbey Road Studios / Produced by Sandro Mussida and Francesco Fabris.
Role: lyrics & music for Titernig (2015). Lyrics for I Wept (2015), Lullaby for Kami (2021), and Sbidag Abakan (2021).
Armenian School of Oud, a 3 Volume Textbook by Mihran Demirchyan (1950-2016). To review or download the textbook(s), visit https://oudarmenia.tumblr.com.
Role: producer, editor, translator.
Ghazi Kurdstany: Live in Baltimore (2012). Ghazi, Ali, and Amina Ahmed hail from Kurdistan in northern Iraq. They have performed throughout their homeland and now in the city of Baltimore at the renowned Creative Alliance Theater and Baltimore Resettlement Center.
Role: producer.
A 7 piece funk outfit formed at John Hopkins University, Defawnk (2004-2008) performed original songs and funkified covers throughout the Baltimore metropolitan area peppered with northward excursions. Role: co-founder.
Before Justin Bieber. Before hipsters. There was LONGHOUSE (2000-2004). Once Dionysus, then Lenape Longhouse, and finally, the band that brought you the earth-shattering hit single MONTEZUMA and other dance hall favorites like SQUIRREL SONG, WHITE SAND BLACK SAND, and #2. Grab yourself a friendly helping of Charm City teenage dreamers once upon a Y2K...
Support by