James Samarin -- The Broom Maker's Son (Music CD)

James John Samarin was born on January 27, 1931 in a tiny maternity cottage on Utah Street, Los Angeles, in a quaint communal colony of Russian immigrants just east of the L.A. River. This area was then called "The Flats" where stoic bearded men an women dressed in stylish custom dresses were seen walkin to church. Soft strains of hymns were heard sung by pious men. In this era, milk and ice were delivered to the door and children played "kick the can".

James's childhood was spent making model airplanes, stamp collecting and fishing at Hollenbeck Park. James grew up with a father in whose home and for religious reasons would not allow any musical instruments. Instruments, also were not functional in church services. Traditionally, music was handed down from person to person. James was deprived of "outside cultures". He sold brooms and newspapers at the age of 10 and sold ice cream from a home made push cart from which the wheels used were from an old baby buggy.

At the age of 14 he was beset by his father to ride a bicycle from school to City Terrance where his father worked in a broom factory. In the same year James began singing at a Young Peoples' Church on Sunday held in a building which was protected on the outside by old iron water heaters and located in an alley. At the age of 21, James became fascinated with the tenor voice of Enrico Caruso.

After marriage, James became a student prodigy of a Russian Molokan tenor, elder Moses Volkoff. James' interest in his own tenor potential led him to several "outside" teachers who coached him on how to use his voice properly without abusing it. His devoted love for his own Molokan church as well as in classical music has helped him to survive many personal setbacks in his life, mainly in the loss of his 15-year-old son Ivan. These recordings reflect years of tenacious dedication and of his love for music.

James Samarin The Broom Maker's Son

James Samarin
The Broom Maker's Son