Armenian Jazz Musicians (AKA Hey MJ!)

I know of only a few Armenian active in jazz: Ara Dinkjian, Armen Chok..(i forget), and Souren Baronian. Are their others? I believe the first and last are oudists and Armen C. is a keyboardist.

In terms of jazz I really like Duke Ellington (all eras), Miles Davis (all eras), and John Coltrane (before he got too "free"). I'm just starting to discover Satchmo (aka Louis Armstrong).

Don't know any of these names. Didn't know that Satchmo stands for Armstrong. About a dozen of years ago there were several good jazz musicians in Armenia.

Jazz in Armenia has started from Konstandin Orbelian's Big Band in 60's, which was called something like "Statet Ansemble of Estrada of Armenia."

In 80’s Jazz had become a popular expression of freedom loving spirit for those under the Soviet regime. There where several well known jazz musicians in Armenia, who made Armenia the most advanced in the former Soviet Union in the area of Jazz. The first recognized one was Tatevik Hovhannesyan – a singer. I think she resides in NY, currently. Then came others.

Armen Martirosian – pianist. Have not heard of him for some 8 years. I think he is in Armenia and active.
Bass – Rouben (have forgotten his last name); nickname contrabassist Rubo. Last time have met him in LA some 7 years ago. Was trying to break into the American jazz elite. Was taking classes from Rony Carter. Another well recognized pianist was David (forgotten the last name). Nickname –Dodo. Had some success here in the US. Had settled in Boston area. Had some success selling his CD’s.

One of the most talented pianists in Armenia was Vahagn (have forgotten his last name too), or Vahagnik, as his friends used to call him. He was the son of the popular violinist Karo Hayrapetian, but due to his parents’ divorce, had a different last name. He was the most natural of all jazz musicians in Armenia. Have no clue where he might be. He was also studying classic piano in Komitas State Musical Conservatory, in Yerevan.

Perhaps the best guitarist was Seth Semerdjyan. He was/is very academic in his style. You could consider him to be professor of jazz He resides in Holywood, and occasionally performs with local jazz bands, and participates in jam sessions.

Probably I have missed some.

This is all I can tell you from my distance, for the moment, regarding Armenian Jazz performers. Have no clue about the new names.


[This message has been edited by MJ (edited October 13, 2000).]

http://www.armenjazz.com/

Jazz preferences: Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner, Keith Jarett, Armstrong, Jimmi Smith.

MJ, do you remember Malkhas? They reconstucted the "Aragast" cafe and now he plays there. They even managed to organise a Jazz festival this summer. It was OK.

Berj,

Thanks for the reference. Unfortunately, I don't remember Malkhas. Don't remember Donelian, either. Obviously, this is indicative only of my short memory.

Is "Aragast" a covered cafe, now? I have read somewhere there is a Jazz club functioning in Yerevan. Who runs it, and who plays there? I remember some 10 years ago there was and attampt to start a Jazz club near the Hamalir.

[This message has been edited by MJ (edited October 13, 2000).]

Thanks MJ for the lengthy post. I have never heard of any of those people (which is great!). Seth Semerdjyan especially sounds interesting. I'm mainly a rock music fan, so guitars are in my brain and blood.

Ara Dinkjian has/had his own group Night Ark, but the stuff I'm familiar with is his work with Arto Tuncboyan (I may have the spelling wrong there). You may have heard of Arto. Their songs are more of "world music" than jazz.

I have heard of Armen Donelian through ARP Music (run by the Kanun player Ara Topouzian). I used to buy alot of stuff from Ara's catalog. That's where I first discovered Nune, although the primary focus of his catalog is the "kef time" music of Western Armenia/Anatolia.

Jazz is a recent area of exploration for me. Hence I've started with the cornerstones of traditional American jazz. I can't get enough of Duke Ellington!



[This message has been edited by Pilafhead (edited October 13, 2000).]

Yeah, Ellington is good. How about Charley Parker, though? He is a good one, too, though was a racist like Miles He used to say that white people can’t understand jazz

In fact, the whites changed the fabric of jazz from 70's and on, I think. It became more academic, more educated, more crystallized.

Berj,

Keith Jarett was very popular in Yerevan, a dozen of years ago. Is he still popular? I attended one of his concerts with Garry Pea**** and Tony Williams in Chicago, a couple of years ago. He had not changed a bit. The same mix of classic and jazz piano... I loved Pea**** more, though, and Williams has always been my favorit.

P.S. By an ironic coincidence, the forum software doesn't allow me to spell correctly Gary Peakock's name




[This message has been edited by MJ (edited October 13, 2000).]

Yes, I like Charlie Parker, too.


That's funny you say that. You obviously think that's a good thing, where I am exactly opposite. That's the fun thing about musical discussions, we can both be right and both be wrong at the same time. I bought Brubeck's classic, "Time Out" and couldn't get into it because I thought it was too jermag (white) and mathematical.

BTW, Tony Williams is incredible. When I listen to the classic Miles Quintent stuff of the mid 1960's, I love to focus my ears on him.

Yeah, I like the purity in music (and in language, too). I also like the clarity of the thinking

we forgot about Datevik.
ok, but not my style.

MJ,

Now "Aragast" is a first class cafe. It's covered in winters and open-air in summers. They serve good food (Italian, French, Mideterranian). The owner is eigher Grzo or Noushikyan brothers. Not sure, never asked. In summers they have tables all around the front pool. Always lots of foreigners. Malkhas perfectly duplicates Oscar Peterson, so it's good place to relax.

Keith Jarett is still popular in Conservatoria and among the people who understand jazz. I meen the remnants of that people.

I've heard that there are one or two other jazz clubs functioning, but there are rumors that they're performing smth other than jazz. So, I've never been there.

Berj, tell them to keep the jazz clubs open, at least 'till I have a chance-- a break in my schedule..lol--to visit..(which could be as early as next summer)

love jazz...armstrong rocks, ella fitzgerald is also one of my faves (you know me, she had to be a woman..lol)

the only armo jazz musician i know is tatevik, thanks to armo tv (my parents aren't big jazz fans, so that part of my armenian musical education is lacking in flavor..lol)

I think Datevik is a great singer. But I am really very fond of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Satchmo et caterva.

I am also a big fan of Astor Piazzolla, the master instrumental tango composer from Argentina. Tom Jobim, the top name in bossa nova. Al di Meola, Egberto Gismonti, Gary Burton also come to mind.

Gayane, i never asked but always wondered. What is lol word that you always use 100 times per post? :: ))
www.KavkazOnline.net
www.CaucasusOnline.net

Boghos,

I am not surprised you like Al di Meola. I also like him. Have you heard his CD with Arto Tuncboyacian (perc/voc)? I was taken by surprise listening to it while driving, when I started to filter out some Armenian mumbling

LOL!!!!

Artur LOL is short for LaughingOutLoud (I typed it together on purpose, just take the first letters of each word and you get LOL)

so yeah, it denotes laughter, of which I take plenty wherever I go...lol...ayspes asats shat jrikem...lol...I do laugh a lot, don't I? Oh, well, it's the little things in life that make it all worthwhile, I think. The more laughter, the better

gayancho

p.s. sidenote: Mike, why would you address the jazz topic to Martin alone? I found it very amusing

I think Datevik is a great singer; shi is one of the pioneers in Armenian JAZ.
I was fortuned enough to be in her 2 consents in Glendale.
It was 2 or 3 years a go.
I rally loved it.
Tatevik is also known for singing not only in English jazz but Armenian jazz to.
Lost time at the concert shi was singing a song by Gomidas.
It was not only a new experience but also something witch was jazz but at the same time takes you back to your roots.
Tatevik I s in NY / NJ ,

Because it intially began in another thread and I wanted him to move over to this one.

Gayane jan,
Tell whom? Grzo or Dodi Gago? This guys move in town with Jaguars and BMWs escorted by 4-5 Jeeps with russian bodyguards (2m long/1m wide). I wonder if our President has that kind of security. They're the "elite".
If they close the clubs, I'll play for you

MJ, in 1998 summer I went to Sevan. There is a payed beach called Flamenco there and they have this place for performances inside the beach. Constandin Orbelyan's band was there. They played the jazz version of "Shalakho". Man, that was smth. Immagine trumpet improvisation in tact with shalakho rithm.
After some 5 minutes, one of the locals standing besides me said:"Gya, es haykakan en nvagum".

[This message has been edited by Berj (edited October 21, 2000).]

Dear MJ,

Sorry. Only now I saw your message. Yes, DiMeola and Arto, great combination. I just finished reading the biography of Astor Piazolla. Also Bill Evans, especially the Paris Concert is a must.

I am late for the party...