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John, a Sepastatzi, born in New York. His parents were Arshalous & Manase Chookasezian, were born in Sepastia (Historic Western Armenian homeland), present day Sivas, Turkey. His parents were married in New York in 1924. John has been playing Armenian and Middle East folk music for over 35 years; he is the founder and director of the "King Tut Revue" of Las Vegas, and the "Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble."
John has performed from the Eastern Seaboard, to the West Coast of the United States. Holding graduate degrees from the New York University, College of Music, and from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas he taught Music & Ethnic Studies for three years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A dedicated premier clarinetist, John, along with his wife, Barbara, and the Chookasian Ensembles, traveled to Armenia by Presidential invitation, to perform a month-long series of concerts in Armenia & Karabagh. During his last 'standing-room-only' concert in Yerevan's Grand Philharmonic Hall, John was presented with Armenia's "National Gold Medal Award," by Armenia's Cultural Minister.
In addition to his musical pursuits, John is an actor who has appeared in 42 film productions during his career. He has appeared with Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis, Clint Eastwood, George Burns, Art Carney, Tony Bennett, Cheryl Ladd, Robert Urich, and numerous other major artists. John currently resides in Fresno, California, where he continues with his mission of presenting, preserving and perpetuating traditional Armenian music and culture.
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Magnolia Jazz Songlist:
A Foggy Day (In London Town)
Ain't Misbehavin'
All Of Me
All The Things You Are
Almost Like Being In Love
April In Paris
As Time Goes By
Autumn Leaves
Basin Street Blues
Because Of You
Begin The Beguine
Besame Mucho
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Blueberry Hill
Body and Soul
Bye Bye Blackbird
Chatanooga Choo Choo
Cheek To Cheek
Deep Purple
Do You Know What It Means
(To Miss New Orleans)
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Embraceable You
Exactly Like You
Georgia On My Mind
Girl From Ipanema
Honeysuckle Rose
How Long Has This Been Going On?
I Can't Get Started
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
I Got Rhythm
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Only Have Eyes For You
I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
If I Had You
In The Mood
It Don't Mean A Thing
(If It Ain't Got That Swing)
It Had to Be You
I've Got The World On A String
Kansas City
Let Me Call You Sweetheart
Makin' Whoopie
Memories of You
Minnie The Moocher
Misty
Moon River
Mood Indigo
Muskrat Ramble
Moonglow
Moonlight In Vermont
My Blue Heaven
My Funny Valentine
Nearness Of You, The
New York, New York
Nice Work If You Can Get It
Night And Day
Oh, Lady Be Good
On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Our Love is Here To Stay
Pennies From Heaven
St. Louis Blues
St. James Infirmary
Satin Doll
Sentimental Journey
Slow Boat To China
Somebody Loves Me
Someone To Watch Over Me
Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Sophisticated Lady
String of Pearls
Star Dust
Sweet Georgia Brown
Sweet Lorraine
Summertime
'S Wonderful
Tea For Two
Tenderly
Tequila
That Old Feeling
The Man I Love
The More I See You
The Very Thought Of You
There Will Never Be Another You
These Foolish Things
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Thou Swell
Tiger Rag
Two Sleepy People
Unforgettable
Up A Lazy River
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
Wedding March (Here Comes The Bride)
What Is This Thing Called Love?
When It's Sleepy Time Down South
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