Udi Hrant

Known as the blind master of the oud, or ud, the 12-string fretless lute, Udi Hrant (birth name: Hrant Kenkulian; his adopted nickname of Udi denotes his mastery) is a legendary figure of Middle Eastern music. Perhaps the instrument's greatest modern stylist as well as a vocalist of deep emotion, he is sometimes also known as "Hrant Emre" ("of the soul"). Hrant's yearning, mournful singing and stark improvisational expertise have drawn comparisons to major American roots figures such as Robert Johnson and Doc Watson. Also a violinist of stunning, expressive facility, Hrant composed songs that have become standards of Turkish music; his most famous piece, "Hastayim Yasiyorum" ("I Am Sick, Yet I Am Living"), has been recorded by scores of later artists.

Born near Istanbul in 1901, Hrant was declared blind four days after birth. In spite of numerous treatments, he was to remain blind but developed a musical ear of keen supremacy. An Armenian by birth, he first learned music by singing in church. His family escaped the massacres of Armenians by Turkish troops in 1915 by fleeing to the city of Konya, where young Hrant began oud lessons.

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