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ConversationsRadio
Ep.219
Ellen Alaverdyan
Musician/Bassist
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
7 PM Pacific - 10 PM Eastern
Mike and returning co-host, bassist Leland Sklar welcome bassist
Ellen Alaverdyan to ConversationsRadio!
​Mike and returning cohost, Legendary Bassist Leland Sklar are thrilled and honored to welcome
Ellen Alaverdyan to ConversationsRadio! Originally from Los Angeles, Ellen was born to Armenian parents. She now lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A lifelong lover of music, Ellen discovered the bass at 8-years-old Soon after watching Australian bassist Tal Wilkenfeld on TV, she felt inspired. At first, she thought the bass was a guitar but tried it out and fell in love. with it almost instantly. Initially, her father Hovak – an accomplished musician and producer taught her some bass basics but, Ellen began honing her skills with Yousician and watching YouTube.
For the most part, Ellen is learning on her own while Hovak is always there for help and guidance.
But basically, Ellen is self-taught.
At 13, Ellen's videos have reached millions and her social media fanbase is growing with over 700,000 Facebook fans alone. Ellen has appeared on Steve Harvey’s show, and played at a Golden State Warriors game. A huge moment for Ellen was meeting guitar legend Steve Vai. Vai’s guitar tech introduced Ellen’s videos to him and she soon found herself onstage performing with him in Vegas.
Ellen Alaverdyan hanging with bassist bassist Tal Wilkenfeld at the NAAM show
Having attended the annual NAAM show, Ellen’s had the opportunity to talk shop with fellow bassists Tal Wilkenfeld, Leland Sklar, Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and others. Ellen is making a name for herself and getting noticed for her impressive music skills. Her respect for her craft is obvious!
Ellen has new music coming June 1st, 2026! 'Jaminai' Is Ellen's first album and it's amazing!
You can find out more about this project on her homepage
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Ellen's videos are a reflection of who she is and how she's evolving musically. Like and subscribe to her YouTube channel.
Check out Ellen Alaverdyan's homepage at ELLENPLAYSBASS.com
Follow Ellen on Instagram @EllenPlaysBass
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About Our Cohost
Leland Sklar
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It’s great having legendary bassist Leland Sklar back with us on ConversationsRadio! A friend of the podcast, Leland first joined us as in 2019 and has cohosted with us in 2021 and again in 2023.
With more than 2000 albums to his credit, I can honestly say that somewhere in the world right now, there is a Leland Sklar bass line playing on one of the 25,000 songs he has lent his talents to. A native of
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Leland and his family headed West to Southern California early on. He began piano lessons when he was 4 years old and quickly became a prodigy. By junior high, he had all of the intentions of pursuing piano further. However, his music teacher suggested that he have a go on the string bass because the school was overstocked with fine pianists. Leland grabbed the string instrument and held it close. It just felt right and it was that moment Leland Sklar’s trajectory changed.
He continued his music studies at California State University Northridge and soon met James Taylor! Again, a life changing moment. Sklar often credits Taylor for keeping him interested and considers it his big break. Suddenly, Leland Sklar was in demand and found success as a session bassist.
It’s much easier to ask who Leland Sklar has not played with. Most recently, he has been busy touring with country singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett Leland and in joined Phil Collins in 2021 on his farewell U.S. tour.
It wasn't long before he returned to the studio for projects with singer songwriter
Judith Owen and with friends Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Steve Postell and Russ Kunkle - together again as 'The Immediate Family'.
Leland’s signature bass can be heard on hit songs from Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Warren Zevon, TOTO, Linda Ronstadt, Helen Reddy, Hall & Oates and so many more. He has also been called on by tv and film music directors to bring his session skills to a number of productions.
Leland was recently in Nashville, Tennessee and received the honor of being inducted in to the Musicians Hall of Fame!
The Award-Winning documentary 'the Immediate Family Film' is available to watch on YouTube and other streaming services.
Check out Leland's book 'Everybody Loves Me.’ and follow him on Instagram @leland.sklar
Mike and Leland are looking forward to chatting LIVE with bassist Ellen Alaverdyan.
Ellen is a musical phenom and a natural. We can't wait to see what happens next for her.
Join us LIVE
ConversationsRadio
Ep.219
Ellen Alaverdyan
Musician/Bassist
Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
7 PM Pacific - 10 PM Eastern
