Lody Kieken - HAMMOND ORGAN, KEYBOARD & VOCALS - Lody has been playing Hammond organ since the seventies and eighties when it was "hip", through the "uncool" period of the nineties, and now the "retro hip" period.  He attended Grant MacEwan College in 1975, then toured for three years on the cabaret circuit in Western Canada.  In 1991 he moved to Salmon Arm, B.C., and bought Acorn Music and in 1997 he formed the SALMON ARMENIANS, since: “playing in an R&B band with horns is as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!”

Sabrina Weeks - VOCALS – Sabrina is the newest member of the Armenian family.  She has been giggin’ professionally for just over a decade with such bands as Lava Kazu and Crimson Willow.  Known around the interior for her deeply expressive, powerful  voice, Sabrina brings an extraordinary vocal and emotional range to the music. Some say that she’s just plum crazy: jumpin’ around like a woman possessed, enchanting audiences with her vigorous stage antics.  One thing that is for certain, Sabrina  l o v e s  R&B – to sing it, to hear it, to feel it, to live it.  Its heart and soul music – music for longevity!

Doug Sonju - ALTO & TENOR SAXOPHONE – Since the early seventies Doug Sonju has been the principal clarinetist with the Okanagan Symphony.  He is also a jazz, commercial rock, and (now) blues sax player.  The Vernon Jazz Club has heard Doug fronting jazz quartets playing with THE UGLY STEPSISTERS, or with the BOB ROGERS QUINTET.  He says that playing with serious blues musicians is a new experience for him.  "It is different and I am the new kid on the block and I’m loving it". 

Mike Hilliard - GUITAR & VOCALS - Mike has been playing professionally for 28 years.  Originally from Toronto, Mike moved to Kamloops in 1974.  After working in Vancouver and the B.C. interior for several years, Mike signed a contract with Intercan and RCA records which brought him back to Toronto where he spent the next six years recording and touring in Canada, the United States, and Asia.  Mike currently resides in Kamloops, B.C. and performs mostly in B.C. 

Murray Holmes - BASS & VOCALS - Played professionally for eight years in Vancouver with such groups as DUSTER, CAMERON MOLLOY & THE MOLLOY GANG, THE KOWZ, THE IMPOSTORS and AMBUSH.  Played for 11 years in the Thompson-Okanagan area with BLACKSMITH.  Currently plays with the SALMON ARMENIANS and the Harvest Fellowship Worship Team.  "Live music is TOO much fun!!" 

Rich Thorne - Trombone, Trumpet, Aux. Percussion. Started playing trombone in grade 5. By grade 9 he was doubling on tuba and trombone in school bands and also playing in combos. He attended the School of Music at the University of Idaho from 1967 through 1971 . After coming to Canada in 1974 he worked as a Teacher until his recent retirement. He has been with the Dixie North Jazz Band for over 25 years, was a member of the horn section of the Phantoms and played with The Eden Fire Band in Salmon Arm and with the MOB in Kamloops. He has been a member of the Salmon Armenians since 1999. “R&B is alive and well and playing with this band and having the chance to write and arrange for musicians like these people is a real treat that I don't take for granted.”

 Larry Keats - DRUMS - The "Slammin’ Salmon" is an original member of the Salmon Armenians. Inspired as a child of the ‘60's, by Ringo Starr, Larry began a 30 year rhythm journey, including playing in big band jazz , jazz combos (most recently with 25^th Street Jazz Band ), rock groups, and musical theatre.. Larry’s day gig is a Music Therapist in the Shuswap tapping into the power of rhythm and drumming to promote wellness for children and adults facing various challenges. The "Armenians" of which the "Salmon Slams", are a pleasure to share a stage with as each performance they strive to achieve the immortal sentiments of the godfather of soul, Mr. James Brown, " I FEEL GOOD! WOW!" Highly recommended therapy for young and old indeed!

MIKE SCHARF – TENOR & BARITONE SAX – Mike grew up in Salmon Arm playing in jazz bands, combos, and fusion groups including ELECTRIC LADY LAND, LIQUID CHICKEN, POMPOUS FRANK AND THE GAY NESSMANS.  Both he and his bari have shared the stage with Rich Underhill and the immortal SHUFFLE DEMONS.  Mike is currently on his second stint with the SALMON ARMENIANS, where else could he find an eight-piece Rhythm and Blues band with a horn section!  Mike works part time as a firefighter for BC Forest Service helping to keep BC trees unsinged.

Music History





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