Kemany Minas

Armenian violinist and singer (born 1887 in Malatia, Ottoman Empire [modern Malatya, Turkey] – died March 14, 1918 in Fresno, California, USA) Minas Chaghatzbanian, a.k.a. Kemany Minas (Turkish for Minas the Violinist [=kemani]) emigrated to the United States in July 1913; he soon settled in Boston where he worked as a popular musician. In December 1916, he recorded 12 titles for Victor in New York City, either singing himself or accompanying Diyarbekir-born singer Karekin Proodian on the violin. Around a year later, in November 1917, he cut another 18 titles for Columbia, also in New York City. In early 1918, Minas moved to Fresno, California, for its healthier climate, but died there of lung disease soon after his arrival.