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Jim Waldron
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James "Jim" Waldron was a gifted linguist. He graduated from the Army Intelligence Language School in Monterey, California where he was an an instructor, having not only studied but also later taught at the program.
Jim was a translator for the United States government in Germany and was fluent in Arabic, Japanese, German, Russian, and of course English.
When he was in the Air Force, he was stationed in Pakistan, as a translator and most likely spoke Urdu as well. He had lived in Lebanon as a University student and traveled extensively throughout the Middle East collecting and researching songs, dances, and folklore. It was there that he fell in love with the music and dance. He'd learned Dabke line dance from Lebanon, Jordon, Syria, and Palestine. He also learned popular songs, from the countries he'd visited and to play several instruments too.
Jim had learned the Ardha (sword) dance from a Saudi Prince. And he brought all that knowledge back to share with members of AMAN Folk Ensemble when he directed their Middle East section.
Jim taught dabke dances, how to speak and sing in Arabic, and to play popular instruments. He was an Arabic dance Instructor and directed the Almas Arabic Folk Ensemble. Almas performed their show for Arab American Organizations and events and also presented cultural performances for Universities and schools. Almas also participated in Folk Festivals and performances at Zorba's Greek Coffeehouse in Reseda, CA, where the group held weekly rehearsals.
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Jim Waldron Videos on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acer7Xtt2nA
James "Jim" Waldron's Almas Arabic Folk Ensemble (Dabke Dance Company), 1970s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1tpbLb3KfE
Saudi Sword Dance by Jim Waldron with the Almas Arabic Folk Ensemble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuG3Sq0WwzE
Almas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4oE8AG8JfM
Almas Arabic Folk Ensemble with Jim Waldrom doing "Call to Prayer," 1976