An Oud Player RemembersAra Dinkjian, Master Oud Player

I can still hear him, smell him,…

How lucky was I to have spent time with him, not to mention even making some music with him.

I first heard him play at musicianship class at Hartt in 1976. Although I new very little about jazz, it was obvious even then that this guy was not only better than the other students AND teachers, but he was more powerful than most anything I had heard on records or live.

Because of this, I temporarily put aside my shyness and introduced myself to him. I explained that I was an Armenian oud player, and I was very moved by his playing. Although Thomas was polite to me, it was apparent that he was not interested in the music I was into.

However, a couple of years later, he knocked on my apartment door and said, “Can we talk about the oud and middle eastern music?” I was so thrilled.

He first had me sit in at some gigs in Hartford. Eventually when he moved to New York, he included me on several recording sessions (mostly released on cassette, except for “Radius” CD), club dates (including a week at the Blue Note), and concerts. I played oud, dumbeg, and even Portuguese mandolin (on a Hermeto Pasqual tune—-I couldn’t play it!!).

Although it was such a thrill to play with such a master musician, my favorite time with Thomas was when we would just talk. And we did talk a lot! Actually, mostly he talked, and I listened.

Overall, I recall Thomas searching for happiness. I remember him being so filled with wonder, but also being confused and vulnerable. In other words, Thomas Chapin was a true human.

Wow, apparently I needed to get all that out.