Avraam Russo
Encyclopedia
Avraam Russo is a Russian
-Armenian
pop
singer. In 2006 he suffered an assassination attempt in Russia
and was heavily injured. He recovered and is living in New York City
.
Russo is an international artist who has recorded songs in a number of languages. He shot to fame with "Daleko Daleko" a Russian cover of a big Arabic language hit, Tamally Ma'ak by Amr Diab. He has four platinum albums recorded in Russia Amor (2001), Tonight (2002), Prosto Lyubit (2003) and Obruchalnaya (2006) with songs in Russian and English. Amor, a #1 smash in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe
. He has sold millions of album copies worldwide. His most recent album is an all-English spiritual album Resurrection (2010) recorded in the United States
where he resides with his wife Morela and daughter Emanuela.
(nowadays Gaziantep), in Cilicia
, (nowadays Çukurova
in modern Turkey).
Avraam is of Armenian origins. Avraam lost his father at an early age and his mother had to serve other households to keep the family going. He discovered his singing talent, while he was doing his monastic studies in Aleppo. He left his studies and was quickly involved in several amateur bands, making part-time appearances in Arab venues and outdoor restaurants (such as "Ramaya", "Aleppo Family Swimming Pool", "Somar", Ouroubah Club, etc.) and in hotels like "Al Amir" in Aleppo.
In 1993 he went to Cyprus
and worked in night clubs for two years earning meagre salaries. But his presence in Cyprus proved important for his future career, as he got the attention of a Russian Azerbaijan-Jewish tycoon Telman Ismailov
(originally from Baku
, Azerbaijan SSR and now Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress) who, during one of his business trips to Cyprus, attended Avraam's performance and liked his work very much. Being owner of big retail businesses and entertainment outlets including "Prague Restaurant" and a well connected entrepreneur, he invited Avraam to take part in multilingual performances in Russia taking the Russian name Avraam Russo.
and prepared a repertoire in many languages, exactly the way he used to do in Syria and Cyprus with Middle Eastern and European influences. His command of European languages was also impressive. There was always a kind of mystery about his origin and he was subject of many speculations as to his origins. But despite pressure from his Syrian compatriots, he himself did not explicitly refer to his ethnic background, due to an informal agreement he made with his management team even before receiving wide recognition.
which he credits for his survival. Resurrection is also his first-ever all-English Christian spiritual record recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
. He infuses great spiritual depth and passion into the work produced by Dove Award winner Joe Beck and by Jim Frazier, In December 2009 he released the first single "Peace" taken from the album. The song is about child soldiers
and released in aid of the Invisible Children charity.
In 2009 he officially opened his own restaurant "Heaven" in New York. In January 2010, Avraam Russo returned to Russia and gave a series of concerts in various Russian cities. He is currently preparing to release a new album in Russian language. Abraham also recorded a duet in Amsterdam named "Лунная соната" ("Moonlight Sonata") with Kazakh singer Diana Shik.
" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-w8JyjO7ag performed by Egyptian pan-Arab superstar Amr Diab
.
Просто любить)2003: Amor (on Private Moon Records)
2006: Obruchalnaya (in Russian
Обручальная)
2010: Resurrection
Compilations and live
DVDs
Singles
(original Russian name in case in Russian)
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
-Armenian
Armenians
Armenian people or Armenians are a nation and ethnic group native to the Armenian Highland.The largest concentration is in Armenia having a nearly-homogeneous population with 97.9% or 3,145,354 being ethnic Armenian....
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer. In 2006 he suffered an assassination attempt in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and was heavily injured. He recovered and is living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Russo is an international artist who has recorded songs in a number of languages. He shot to fame with "Daleko Daleko" a Russian cover of a big Arabic language hit, Tamally Ma'ak by Amr Diab. He has four platinum albums recorded in Russia Amor (2001), Tonight (2002), Prosto Lyubit (2003) and Obruchalnaya (2006) with songs in Russian and English. Amor, a #1 smash in Russia and throughout Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is the eastern part of Europe. The term has widely disparate geopolitical, geographical, cultural and socioeconomic readings, which makes it highly context-dependent and even volatile, and there are "almost as many definitions of Eastern Europe as there are scholars of the region"...
. He has sold millions of album copies worldwide. His most recent album is an all-English spiritual album Resurrection (2010) recorded in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he resides with his wife Morela and daughter Emanuela.
Early years
Born in Syrian northern city of Aleppo, son of family with three brothers. His father was from AyntabGaziantep
Gaziantep , Ottoman Turkish: Ayintab) previously and still informally called Antep; ʻayn tāb is a city in southeast Turkey and amongst the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. The city is located 185 kilometres northeast of Adana and 127 kilometres by road north of Aleppo, Syria...
(nowadays Gaziantep), in Cilicia
Cilicia
In antiquity, Cilicia was the south coastal region of Asia Minor, south of the central Anatolian plateau. It existed as a political entity from Hittite times into the Byzantine empire...
, (nowadays Çukurova
Çukurova
Çukurova , historically known as Cilicia, is a geographic, economic and cultural region in south-central Turkey, covering the provinces of Mersin, Adana, Osmaniye and Hatay...
in modern Turkey).
Avraam is of Armenian origins. Avraam lost his father at an early age and his mother had to serve other households to keep the family going. He discovered his singing talent, while he was doing his monastic studies in Aleppo. He left his studies and was quickly involved in several amateur bands, making part-time appearances in Arab venues and outdoor restaurants (such as "Ramaya", "Aleppo Family Swimming Pool", "Somar", Ouroubah Club, etc.) and in hotels like "Al Amir" in Aleppo.
In 1993 he went to Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and worked in night clubs for two years earning meagre salaries. But his presence in Cyprus proved important for his future career, as he got the attention of a Russian Azerbaijan-Jewish tycoon Telman Ismailov
Telman Ismailov
Telman Ismailov is a Russian entrepreneur and businessman of Azerbaijani Mountain Jew descent. He is chairman of the Russian AST Group of companies, which is active in many countries.-Early life:...
(originally from Baku
Baku
Baku , sometimes spelled as Baki or Bakou, is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. It is located on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula, which projects into the Caspian Sea. The city consists of two principal...
, Azerbaijan SSR and now Vice President of the Euro-Asian Jewish Congress) who, during one of his business trips to Cyprus, attended Avraam's performance and liked his work very much. Being owner of big retail businesses and entertainment outlets including "Prague Restaurant" and a well connected entrepreneur, he invited Avraam to take part in multilingual performances in Russia taking the Russian name Avraam Russo.
Russian career
Avraam's first trip to Moscow in 1995 landed him fame in a relatively short time. With the help of a girlfriend, he quickly learned the Russian languageRussian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
and prepared a repertoire in many languages, exactly the way he used to do in Syria and Cyprus with Middle Eastern and European influences. His command of European languages was also impressive. There was always a kind of mystery about his origin and he was subject of many speculations as to his origins. But despite pressure from his Syrian compatriots, he himself did not explicitly refer to his ethnic background, due to an informal agreement he made with his management team even before receiving wide recognition.
American career
After his miraculous recovery and ability to walk again after his serious injuries and after a hiatus of 4 years in New York, Avraam Russo released his fifth studio album entitled Resurrection in early 2010 conveying his faith in ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
which he credits for his survival. Resurrection is also his first-ever all-English Christian spiritual record recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
. He infuses great spiritual depth and passion into the work produced by Dove Award winner Joe Beck and by Jim Frazier, In December 2009 he released the first single "Peace" taken from the album. The song is about child soldiers
Military use of children
The military use of children takes three distinct forms: children can take direct part in hostilities , or they can be used in support roles such as porters, spies, messengers, look outs, and sexual slaves; or they can be used for political advantage either as human shields or in...
and released in aid of the Invisible Children charity.
In 2009 he officially opened his own restaurant "Heaven" in New York. In January 2010, Avraam Russo returned to Russia and gave a series of concerts in various Russian cities. He is currently preparing to release a new album in Russian language. Abraham also recorded a duet in Amsterdam named "Лунная соната" ("Moonlight Sonata") with Kazakh singer Diana Shik.
Awards
In 2002 Avraam Russo won the Russian national top award for "Song of the Year" ("Pesnya Goda") for his international hit "Daleko Daleko" (Far Away in Russian), a cover version of the 2000 Arabic language massive hit "Tamally MaakTamally Maak
Tamally Maak, also often Tamally Ma'ak is an international Arabic language song made by the Egyptian pop star Amr Diab in 2000 from his album of the same name....
" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-w8JyjO7ag performed by Egyptian pan-Arab superstar Amr Diab
Amr Diab
Amr Abdol-Basset Abdol-Azeez Diab is an Egyptian singer and composer of geel music; the contemporary face of Egyptian el-geel pop music, according to World Music. Diab is the best-selling Arab recording artist of all time, according to Let's Go Egypt...
.
Discography
Albums- 2001: Amor
- 2002: Tonight
- 2003: Prosto lyubit
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
Просто любить)
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
Обручальная)
Compilations and live
- 2006: Live (on Misterija Zvuka)
- 2006: The best of Avraam Rousso (on Misterija Zvuka)
DVDs
- 2002: 1001 éjszaka (meaning 1001 nights) - (DVD of concert in the Olympic Stadium in Moscow on 21 November 2002)
- 2006: Obruchalnaya (meaning Engagement) - (DVD of concert in Moscow Kremlin on 8 March 2006)
Singles
(original Russian name in case in Russian)
- "Lyubov, kotoroy bolshe net" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Любовь, которой больше нет» trans. "Love, that doesn't Exist Anymore") - "Prosto lyubit tebya" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Просто любить тебя» trans. "Just to Love You") - «Amor»
- «Arabica»
- «Baby»
- «Bailando»
- «Baila que Baila»
- «Fire horse»
- «La amo»
- «Milliones de fuego»
- «Quiereme»
- «Searching for love»
- «Si senor»
- «Teardrop»
- «Tonight»
- "Bud so mnoj" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Будь со мной» trans. "Be with Me") - "Daleko-Daleko" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Далеко-далеко» trans. "Far-Far") - "Znayu" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Знаю» trans. "I Know") - "Kak Byt" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Как быть» trans. "How to Be" or can be interpreted as "What to Do") - "Kasablanka" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Касабланка» trans. "Casablanca") - "Latino" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Латино» ) - "Leto" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Лето» trans. "Summer") - "Lyubov i sudba" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Любовь и судьба» trans. "Love and the Destiny") - "Menya ne goni" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Меня не гони» trans. "Don't Send Me Off") - "Ne dolyublyu" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Не долюблю» trans. "Won't Love You Enough") - "Ne ukhodi" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Не уходи» trans. "Don't Leave") - "Obruchalnaya" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Обручальная» trans. "..of Engagement") - "Menak em" (in ArmenianArmenian languageThe Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
«Մենակ եմ» trans. "I'm alone") - "Ojidanie" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Ожидание» trans. "Expectation") - "Opa-Opa" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Опа-опа» ) - "Prazdnik" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Праздник» trans. "Celebration") - "Galis es" (in ArmenianArmenian languageThe Armenian language is an Indo-European language spoken by the Armenian people. It is the official language of the Republic of Armenia as well as in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The language is also widely spoken by Armenian communities in the Armenian diaspora...
«Գալիս էս» trans. "You comes") - "Tam" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Там» trans. "There") - "Ty Odna" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Ты одна» trans. "You are Alone") - "Ya ne Lyublyu Vas" (in RussianRussian languageRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
«Я не люблю вас» trans. "I Don't Love You") - "Peace"