[Dixielandjazz] Turk Van Lake, Jazz Guitarist, Dies at 84

[Stan Brager]

Turk Van Lake, Jazz Guitarist, Dies at 84

October 5, 2002
By THE NEW YORK TIMES 

Turk Van Lake, a jazz guitarist and arranger of the swing
era, died on Sept. 1 at a Staten Island nursing home. He
was 84. 

Under his original name, Vanig Hovsepian, he was a
classical composer. 

In the 1940's, he began to tour as an arranger, composer
and guitarist with bands that included those of Charlie
Barnet, Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich. 

His playing was heard on recordings with Sarah Vaughan, and
it complemented the Benny Goodman Orchestra on its famous
Russian tour in 1962. 

Vanig Rupen Hovsepian was born in Boston. He grew up in New
York and graduated from Tottenville High School before
studying 12-tone composition at the Boston Conservatory. He
retired in 1993 as an adjunct music professor at the
College of Staten Island. 

Mr. Hovsepian's survivors include two daughters, Armene
Hovsepian and Angelique McKee, and three grandchildren.

Copyright 2002 The New York Times Company