Leo Sarkisian (January 4, 1921 – June 8, 2018)[1] was an American ethnomusicologist and broadcaster for Voice of America radio.[2][3] He is known for his work to showcase African music through the Music Time in Africa radio program.
Leo Sarkisian | |
|---|---|
 Leo Sarkisian in 2014 | |
| Born | January 4, 1921 |
| Died | June 8, 2018 (aged 97) |
| Career | |
| Show | Music Time in Africa (1965–1985) |
| Network | Voice of America |
Sarkisian was offered a job with Voice of America by broadcaster Edward R. Murrow in 1961, while in Conakry.[4] At the time, Murrow was the head of the United States Information Agency (USIA) and he heard about Sarkisian through his West African recording trips. Sarkisian accepted the offer and started working for Voice of America in Monrovia, Liberia.[5] Two years later, in 1965, Leo launched Music Time in Africa, a "weekly program that features traditional and contemporary music from all of Africa."[6]
Sarkisian retired from VOA in 2012, at age 91.[7] In 2014, Sarkisian donated his extensive collection of African music to the University of Michigan.
References
edit- ^ Solomon, Salem (10 June 2018). "'Music Man of Africa' Dies". Voanews.com. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ Sarkisian, Leo. "United States Public Records Index". familysearch. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ "Sarkisian, Leo, 1921-". Library of Congress Name Authority File. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
- ^ "Leo Sarkisian: VOA's "Africa Music Man"". Voice of America. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ Heil Jr., Alan L. Voice of America: A History. New York.: Columbia University Press. 2003.
- ^ Lavoie, Matthew (9 December 2010). "About the Leo Sarkisian Music Archive". Voice of America. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ Maxwell, Heather (October 2, 2012). "VOA's Veteran Music Man Leo Sarkisian Says Goodbye". Voice of America News Blog. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
External links
edit- Official website (NOTE: This is the official site of "Music Time in Africa," the show created and hosted by Leo Sarkisian for many years. Now in its sixth decade, it is currently hosted by ethnomusicologist Heather Maxwell.)
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