Mirage is proud to announce that Yarus took first place at the 2004 JPF Independent Music Awards for Best New Middle Eastern Album! Known for their lively arrangements of traditional Armenian, Greek, Arabic, Turkish and Egyptian songs, Mirage gives new energy and zest to old favorites! Mirage is based in the Central California San Joaquin Valley area. The band has played informally in the Central Valley and the Bay Area for many years. Yet, it was not until recently that the name "Mirage" was taken to distinguish this group of very talented Armenian and Middle Eastern musicians. Mirage is Jim Karagozian on Kanun, Eddie Karagozian on Doumbek, Michel Awad on Derbekki and Khatchig Jingirian on keyboards and vocals. Between them, Mirage has many years of individual musical experience from which to draw. Together, they skillfully enliven traditional folk music for a modern audience without diminishing its original charm. The result is a repertoire of songs appealing to a wide variety of listeners and dancers. Mirage released their debut studio recording, Yarus, in March of 2002. Yarus is a compilation of traditional Armenian and Middle Eastern music with contemporary arrangements. Yarus highlights the diverse talents of Mirage members. Jim Karagozian plays both kanun and oud on certain selections. Khatchig Jingirian sings, produces a fabulous array of musical effects from his keyboard, and plays a variety of percussive instruments as well. Michel Awad adds his own unique Arabic stylings on derbekki, while Ed Karagozian holds the rhythm tight with his strong back beat on the doumbek. By intertwining modern and popular influences with time-honored standards, Mirage achieves an eclectic mix of high-energy music. They project this energy in live performance as well as in the recording studio. Their considerable talent and dynamic approach to the music is what makes Mirage one of California's most exciting Middle Eastern bands.