Biography
Mesrob Takakjian
Armenian-American clarinetist and orchestra leader (born July 15, 1894 in Palu, Kharpert, Armenia – died November 9, 1976 in Fresno, California, USA)
Takakjian emigrated to the United States in 1912 and first settled in Pennsylvania. In June 1917, when he filled in his Draft Card, he was a laborer in Providence, RI, working for the Gorham Manufacturing Co. At the same time, he already played the clarinet professionally. Sharing a reed with a fellow musician, however, he contracted tuberculosis. This forced him to relocate to the better air of California, where he found a second home among the many Armenian immigrants of Fresno. In 1927, Fresno's City Directory lists him at 942 Broadway under "Phonograph and Records - dealers". By 1928, he had turned to selling candy instead. In 1942, his employer was Palm Olive Cleaners.
On the side, Takakjian stayed active in Fresno's music scene. In 1929, he recorded two songs for Columbia ion Los Angeles, accompanying his friend, the singer Oscar Kevorkian. Later, Kevorkian founded his own label, Kevorkian Record Company, which released around 30 titles that frequently featured the M. Takakjian Orchestra.
Takakjian emigrated to the United States in 1912 and first settled in Pennsylvania. In June 1917, when he filled in his Draft Card, he was a laborer in Providence, RI, working for the Gorham Manufacturing Co. At the same time, he already played the clarinet professionally. Sharing a reed with a fellow musician, however, he contracted tuberculosis. This forced him to relocate to the better air of California, where he found a second home among the many Armenian immigrants of Fresno. In 1927, Fresno's City Directory lists him at 942 Broadway under "Phonograph and Records - dealers". By 1928, he had turned to selling candy instead. In 1942, his employer was Palm Olive Cleaners.
On the side, Takakjian stayed active in Fresno's music scene. In 1929, he recorded two songs for Columbia ion Los Angeles, accompanying his friend, the singer Oscar Kevorkian. Later, Kevorkian founded his own label, Kevorkian Record Company, which released around 30 titles that frequently featured the M. Takakjian Orchestra.