Jazz

[ED]

 

http://www.naregatsi.org/Datevik/photo/dat.jpg

 

 

Jazz singer, educator, recording artist, and arranger. Performances in over 30 countries on every continent in every medium; concert halls, clubs, festivals, television and radio, master classes, workshops, recordings. Datevik has appeared in every musical setting up to full big band. Datevik also specializes in ethnic and folk music arranging and singing ethnic and ethno-jazz songs.

 

Artistic Collaborations: Larry Willis, Major Holley, Walter Davis, Joe Williams, Frank Wess, Ben Riley, Clifford Jordan, Armen Donelian, Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, Marc Johnson, Tom Chapin, Steve Williams, Andy McCloud, David Finck, Portinho, Andy Gonzalez, Steve Berrios, Igor Butman, Dick Oatts, Alex Foster, Barry Danielian, Frank Owens, Igor Bril, Vladimir Chekasin, Tiit Paulus, Joe Ascione, John Baboian, Ben Allison, Valery Ponamarov, Arto Tuncboyaciyan. . .

 

Five solo Albums: Listen to My Heart (SONY/EPIC), Ballads From the Black Sea (Mapleshade), Doors (Melodia), Day Dream (Melodia), Concerto for Voice and Orchestra (Melodia).

 

She has also recorded over 100 pop and jazz singles as well as recordings for TV shows, theatre and movies, animations and commercials.

 

Festivals and Tours: North Sea Jazz Festival, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Prague Jazz Festival, Jakarta Jazz Festival, Windsor Jazz Festival, Belgrade Jazz Festival, Debrecen Jazz Festival, Tallinn Jazz Festival, Portsmouth Jazz Festival, Islip Jazz Festival, Yerevan International Jazz Festival, Moscow International Jazz Festivals . . . . .

 

Appearances: at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, Carnegie Recital Hall, and in most major New York clubs, Charles Hotel and Night Stage (Boston), Sands Hotel (Atlantic City), Tacoma Station Tavern (Washington-DC), Shrine Auditorium , Alex Theatre and Stars Theatre (Los Angeles), Jazz Club Hanover and The A Train (Germany), Sunside and Duc de Lombards (France), Armenian State Philharmonic Concert Hall (Armenia) ……..

 

Special Appearances: “MacNeil Lehrer News Hour” PBS-TV USA, “Jazz Central” BET Cable TV, Live interview from Public Radio International on World’s Global Hit, Live Broadcasts of Voice of America; Worldwide live TV tribute to Willis Conover, Live TV broadcast of Russia-Japan Jazz summit, “Special Jazz Hour” on 2NSB.. FM (Sydney, Australia), 2-hr special on BURG-FM (Yerevan, Armenia), Live interviews on KCRW Café LA with Tom Schnabel and KPFK in Los Angeles and many more.

 

Magazine and newspaper coverage: New York Times, The Boston Globe, San Francisco Examiner, Jazz Times, NYC Tribune, Jakarta Post, The Independent Holland, Jazz Magazine Poland, Cadence USA, Jazz Novine Yugoslavia, AIM USA, ARI USA, Melodia Magazine Russia. She appears in the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz as Tatevik Oganesyan perennially voted “The First Lady Of Jazz” in the Former Soviet Union .

 

Teacher and Educator: Choral director and voice teacher. Taught students of all ages and levels, in music schools and private lessons. She has led workshops in jazz vocal and improvisation, styling and technique. Workshops and Master Classes at Manhattan School of Music and New School of Music, (New York USA), among many.

 

DATEVIK'S BIOGRAPHY PRINTED FROM THE "LISTEN TO MY HEART" CD BOOKLET

 

Datevik was born in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. All the members of her family are musicians. Her mother is Ophelia Hambartsumian, the renowned master of folk song; her father Norair Hovanesian, is an expert kamancha (folk string instrument) player; her brother, a classical violinist.

 

"The Diva of Armenian Folk Songs, Ophelia Hambartsumian, (my Mom)"

 

“My mother’s clear, resonant voice and her masterful renditions of folk songs provided much nourishment to my soul and greatly influenced the formation of my eventual musical world. Various kinds of music were continually played in our house: Folk, Classical, Contemporary, and Jazz. Since my brother was a devotee of jazz, naturally I too was inspired by that music. It’s amazing how pleasing and authentic the artistry of Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck, Ella Fitzgerald and other musical geniuses began to sound in my inner self. It didn’t take long for me to feel and understand that jazz music would become my lifelong companion.”

 

"The Diva of Armenian Folk Songs, Ophelia Hambartsumian, (my Mom)"

 

 

Datevik made her first recording at the age of 11 with Harold Arlen’s song It’s Only a Paper Moon. Thereafter, music and song became her focal point and her life’s raison d’être. While continuing her musical education in the field of conducting, Datevik also embarked on performance tours in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Africa. She juggled participation in well-known jazz festivals with solo performances, movies, and teaching. By 1979 this rising song star had earned the title of “The First Lady Of Jazz” in the Soviet Union, which she maintained for nine consecutive years. It was during that time that her solo albums—“Day Dream,” “Concerto For Voice & Orchestra,” and “Doors”--were recorded. Leaving everything behind, Datevik relocated to the United States.

 

“In 1990 I was introduced to a very thoughtful, kindhearted gentleman, Pierre Sprey, president of Mapleshade Record Productions. That meeting marked the beginning of my musical career in the United States. Mr. Sprey opened not only the doors of his heart to me, but also those of his studio; furthermore, for a recording session he proposed that the wonderful and very talented pianist Larry Willis and his quartet accompany me. I consider my Mapleshade studio experience with the magical music of Larry Willis as one of the unforgettable highlights of my life.”

 

The result of their collaboration was Datevik’s first CD in the United States, “Ballads from the Black Sea” @ 1997 Mapleshade productions (301) 627-0525, which prompted Pierre Sprey to comment: “A rich new jazz voice of superb musicianship, earthy and passionate and swinging, proves that soul and jazz know no boundaries.”

 

“Although I am a jazz singer, I have not forgotten or become detached from my Armenian roots for one minute. The Armenian folk song has always been a major influence on me. I might describe the group of songs presented on this CD as an eruption of my soul, caused by my cup filling up drop by drop and finally running over.

 

Furthermore, my coming into contact with the talented American-Armenian pianist and composer Armen Donelian had a great impact on the subsequent activities of us both. As an expert jazz musician, composer, and arranger, Armen demonstrated a mastery of Armenian song, displaying in particular a marvelous grasp of its nuances. It was an absolutely incredible journey for both of us. Our idea was to build a very delicate bridge, linking together two beautiful worlds --twentieth century jazz and timeless Armenian folk song--through total improvisation. Thank you, Armen, from the bottom of my heart.

 

My special thanks to the Brazilian drummer Portinho and David Finck for their unique effort; together, they elevated all our ideas and made the arrangements sound even better.

 

A million thanks to the talented and sensitive Arto Tuncboyaciyan for the song Gakavik.

 

I will always feel that there was an element of magic at work enabling Alex Foster to feel the Armenian embellishments so well.

 

And then there was the burning energy of Paquito D’Rivera, which was just right for Yarimo.

 

My deep appreciation to Ben Riley, the sensitive guest drummer for the beautiful ballad Hov Arek.

 

And, of course many thanks to Steve Berrios, who introduced such a fresh wave of colors into Shalakho.

 

Most of all, I wish to acknowledge the inimitable contribution of the producer, the legendary George Avakian. It is difficult for me to find words to express my deep gratitude to him. It is owing to him--and him only--that my dream, having ripened over the years, came to fruition.”

 

 

[hagopn]

Datevik is a complete disappointment for me. I saw her here with Armen Donelian and Paulinho da Costa, and I can't remember the basist's name, and her singing style caused me to leave the concert half way. She is nuerotic and bad. I don't give a damn what anyone else says.

 

Besides, never liked scat vocals, and raping the collections of Komitas on a regular basis with "doo, doo , ska, duda," is vulgarity at its worst. it sounds ridiculous, and she looks ridiulous doing it.

 

The two Arshakyan sisters are a hell of a lot better. They are now learning to respect things, traditions, melody. I think this whole "Jazzification of Komitas" trash is just that, trash.

[Ani]

Datevik is a complete disappointment for me. I saw her here with Armen Donelian and Paulinho da Costa, and I can't remember the basist's name, and her singing style caused me to leave the concert half way. She is nuerotic and bad. I don't give a damn what anyone else says.

 

Besides, never liked scat vocals, and raping the collections of Komitas on a regular basis with "doo, doo , ska, duda," is vulgarity at its worst. it sounds ridiculous, and she looks ridiulous doing it.

 

The two Arshakyan sisters are a hell of a lot better. They are now learning to respect things, traditions, melody. I think this whole "Jazzification of Komitas" trash is just that, trash.

 

 

 

Hagop you like Aida Sargsyan...That reaction is normal...

Edited November 12, 2007 by Ani777

[hagopn]

Hagop you like Aida Sargsyan...That reaction is normal...

 

I don't like the way she sings either, but she is better than jaw breaker "du, du , du da" Datevik.

[Anoushik]

Hagop you like Aida Sargsyan...That reaction is normal...

Enough said!

[ED]

Hagop, I know you are a musician, the criticism of Datevig is somewhat very surprising.

 

let me just guess you are not a big jazz fun, you broke my heart man, you broke my heart.

 

have you heard her sing Komitas jut as pure as it gets?

 

 

Edited November 12, 2007 by Edward

[Anoushik]

Hagop, you are a musician? Are you performer? What instrument do you play and which genre?

[Error 404]

Datevik is a complete disappointment for me. I saw her here with Armen Donelian and Paulinho da Costa, and I can't remember the basist's name, and her singing style caused me to leave the concert half way. She is nuerotic and bad. I don't give a damn what anyone else says.

 

Besides, never liked scat vocals, and raping the collections of Komitas on a regular basis with "doo, doo , ska, duda," is vulgarity at its worst. it sounds ridiculous, and she looks ridiulous doing it.

 

The two Arshakyan sisters are a hell of a lot better. They are now learning to respect things, traditions, melody. I think this whole "Jazzification of Komitas" trash is just that, trash.

 

Hagop you do prefer tatul over Tatevik right?!? The other day I have heard someone comparing Arshakyan sisters to Charlez Aznavour and confirming that Arshakyan sisters are much better lolololol.

 

I know many jazz pianists, guitarists, etc who take their themes or inspiration from known classical composers. I don't see anything bad in it. Where did Ella Fitzgerald take her lyrics?

 

Other advantage is that she is introducing the world komitas.

[hagopn]

Enough said!

 

Wow!--- Indeed! You seem to have made up some kind of mind, who knws what that is, but it is a mind of some sort. It is a misinformed mind. It is not an entirely well thought out mind, but it is a mind that is made up.

 

OK, then, let's get out the shotgun barrel---

 

Artur "Oily Jerry Curly" Grigorian and his "Ayo Show" created this stupid culture in Yerevan that yielded a bunch of rotten fruits, a bunch of otaramol, ignorant, illiterate, and drugged out boneheads. One of them was named Datevik Hovanissian, the drug addicted, bone-headed, and qutie confused girl of filk singer Opelia Hmbartsumian. Despite her mohter's background, Datevik was of this cokehead crowd singing "jez" songs.

 

Aida at least has the dignity of not "scatting" over folk tunes, for crying out lout.

 

As to DH, talk about poor taste, lack of balance, չտեսութեան աստիճան: I have said it that I don't like Aida's voice, but I certainly have a heck of a lot more respect for her than Scat Mama and her fake scatting with a wired jaw. I don't see Aida going "Lorke, Lorke, dud, du dud du da, skda, deda," or any other such trash, snapping her Ella Fiztgerald fingers. What, Armenain folk songs were sung in the Cotton Club now?

 

Why doesn't she learn to compose her own trash? Why does she insist on cheaply exploiting and ruining Komitas' work? She is also a bad vocalist with a bad voice. Her voice, in faqct, is worse than Aida's by alongshot. Aida is a hell of a lot better.

 

The bias, the չտես bias is that because Dh pretends to be an " internationally acclaimed" lounge singer scatting her way in small stages in smoke filled rooms. Armenians are օտարմաօլ to the point where if some foreign scumbag says an Armenian is good, then we all must absoltely think of her as being good. The rule of thumb for the Armenians of today is that if someone succeeds in foreign "markets" and stages, then and only then is that person worthy of respect and so-called admiration.

 

I doubt that any of you actually like the way cokehead sings. I seriously doubt that any of you even understands the scatty nonsense she insists on gluing onto Komitas' folk collections, which have nothing to do with the counterfiet "jazz" vocalizations of the Ayo Show regurgitations.

 

Aida, on the other hand, is this poor woman who sings in the Armenian stage only. Gee, how "dare" we compare her to such an "internationally acclaimed" piece of work such as Dooda Lady?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hagopn]

Hagop, I know you are a musician, the criticism of Datevig is somewhat very surprising.

 

let me just guess you are not a big jazz fun, you broke my heart man, you broke my heart.

 

have you heard her sing Komitas jut as pure as it gets?

 

I am actually a very avid jazz fan and have been playing and listening to jazz professionally for 23 years. I just don't like fake counterfeit nonsense passing off as genuine art.

 

Why did I break your heart, by brother? I liked your other suggested talents, the Arshakyan sisters, who I think are great, and have fantastic potential. They just need the support of the professionals behind the scenes. the problem I see is that the same crowd that sprung form the ignorant gang at the Ayo Show stil dominates the stages and the airwaves. Mediocrities like Alla Levonian are "jurists" on talent shows. It's disgusting. While talented people, such as the Anush and Inga and many others, are left on the margins, hardly represnted by the media at the level they deserve.

Edited November 12, 2007 by hagopn

[ED]

yes Hagop jan I like/love Datevik very much eh bro, i grew up with her music, et xosk@ chpity aseyir:(

lav ok mexkeriq vorpes qavutyun mi hat private hamerq es talis Hyeforum-i hamar inch asir?

 

 

[Arpa]

Hagop, did you see this video?

Yarimo ala Tatevik!

I know Tatevik, I am somewhat personaly conneected to her, I saw her in Yerevan in accompaniment with Armen Donelian. And yes. Her mother Ophelia was there too and she was recognized, just as Robert Kocharian and Garegin II and his strange bedfellow Louise as well.

But after a few bars of her "Erkinq@ Ambel a- doobi doobi doo" she becomes as scattily stale as her hero Ella the "Scatwoman" Fitzgerald. Երկու չափից յետո բողկի համ է տալիս., "tastes like chicken/turkey". Maybe she should change her name to Tatevik Scat-fitzgerald-ian.

How did she accomplish the transition from her mother Ophelia to Ella!!!

Edited November 12, 2007 by Arpa

[hagopn]

yes Hagop jan I like/love Datevik very much eh bro, i grew up with her music, et xosk@ chpity aseyir:(

lav ok mexkeriq vorpes qavutyun mi hat private hamerq es talis Hyeforum-i hamar inch asir?

 

, ara, arten chgitem--

[hagopn]

Hagop, did you see this video?

Yarimo ala Tatevik!

I know Tatevik, I am somewhat personaly conneected to her, I saw her in Yerevan in accompaniment with Armen Donelian. And yes. Her mother Ophelia was there too and she was recognized, just as Robert Kocharian and Garegin II and his strange bedfellow Louise as well.

But after a few bars of her "Erkinq@ Ambel a- doobi doobi doo" she becomes as scattily stale as her hero Ella the "Scatwoman" Fitzgerald. Maybe she should change her name to Tatevik Scat-fitzgerald-ian.

 

Yeah, you are correctomundo... _ Now, compare that with these girls.

 

Come on, there is no comparison. These girls will someday bring honor to Armenians. They are also very nice girls, very reserved and family oriented. That's perhaps why they are no longer in the Artur Grigorian crowd.

[Error 404]

She is 13 years old:

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=D-bumYe5mfA

 

[hagopn]

She is 13 years old:

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=D-bumYe5mfA

 

 

This is another clone of Ella Fitzgerald, same exact play on Charlie Parker phrases, same exact usage of extrapolated melodies, same exact accent, same exact inflections, same "scat" humor. She's a talented little girl, no doubt, but she's in trouble already. At least she's not bashing a Komitas tune.

 

Demystifying jazz: Jazz improvisation is for the most part developed folk music improvisation, where phrases and motifs from the tradition and the inflections with which they are dilvered are memorized, and supposedly improvistional composition is done on the chord changes. As the number of recordings and intepretations grow, so does the tradition, which is mostly a copycat tradition.

 

For Armenians, our folk idiom stagnated because it was subject to state policy, whereas the American "folk" idiom called jazz, one of the few filk traditions here, took its route due to market forces.

 

Thus, when someone "jokingly" says "Gusan Ashot was singing Armenian blues," that someone is very close to the truth. Jazz, whether people want to admit it or not, comes chiefly from the blues tradition. This tradition was developed further by composers who saw the folkloric value and took it to the next step, which was dixieland, and so on.

 

Then today we have a little girl memorize Ella Fitzgerland's video clips and play with what Ella herself had memorized, which was for the most part the improvisational stylings of Charlie Parker, who in turn was a very innovative chap for the jazz idiom who actually understood the folk roots of his music. In fact, you could even hear the little girl change her voice timbre to match pretty much that of the "standard" scat vocal timbre, just to adhere to the tradition.

 

It's an interesting phenomenon, the world of jazz, that pretends to offer fredom in expression, but is in actuality a very strongly folkloric tradition that simply picks up scraps and rags from here and there.

 

It's cute, but who is this girl? Where is she from? Does her own town have any of its own music? If she's unaware of what's going on there, as this copycat performance says, then she's in for a dead end career.

 

As the world get more and more sophisticated through exposure to the rest of the world (youtube is example of this), the world wants more and more genuine stuff, and less and less copycat stuff.

 

 

[_femme333_]

I think Datevik is great and her last concert in LA was great! The guitarist was awesome too.

I don't know where this "bashing Datevik" is coming from, but she's sure a great performer and her voice is amazing.

 

If you don't like it then just state only that....no need for you to bash someone like Datevik with ignorant comments such as "bunch of rotten fruits, a bunch of otaramol, ignorant, illiterate, and drugged out boneheads. One of them was named Datevik Hovanissian, the drug addicted, bone-headed, and qutie confused girl of filk singer Opelia Hmbartsumian."

 

If you really think she's some sort of ignorant, illiterate (especially illiterate), bonehead and a rotten performer then you seriously have some issues my friend...I doubt that a normal person whould allow himself to call a talented person like Datevik what you called her above. If your jazz musical career didn't come through, it doesn't mean that you should bash someone who has a talent and a successful career.

So cheap!

 

 

 

[hagopn]

I think Datevik is great and her last concert in LA was great! The guitarist was awesome too.

I don't know where this "bashing Datevik" is coming from, but she's sure a great performer and her voice is amazing.

 

If you don't like it then just state only that....no need for you to bash someone like Datevik with ignorant comments such as "bunch of rotten fruits, a bunch of otaramol, ignorant, illiterate, and drugged out boneheads. One of them was named Datevik Hovanissian, the drug addicted, bone-headed, and qutie confused girl of filk singer Opelia Hmbartsumian."

 

If you really think she's some sort of ignorant, illiterate (especially illiterate), bonehead and a rotten performer then you seriously have some issues my friend...I doubt that a normal person whould allow himself to call a talented person like Datevik what you called her above. If your jazz musical career didn't come through, it doesn't mean that you should bash someone who has a talent and a successful career.

So cheap!

 

Of course, when I criticize as such, I run the risk of counter criticism, mostly with no substance. That's one of the reasons I dont' write that often. I write every few years or so, and then find that shoveling seaweed into the ocean makes no sense.

 

You are correct on the first paragraph. The generalized comment on literacy was phrased incompletely.

 

The general condition of the Ayo Show crowd was that they are ignorant and illiterate. That is a fact that I have had to comed face to face with, much to my disaappointment. Remember, I cam in with high expectations to meet musicians, but then I was left with a set of extreme, extreme diosappointments. This is my expereince on the matter, and that is an honest one.

 

You are right in that Datevik does not fit the illiterate category. She came from her mother's house, so musical education was part and parcel of her upbriging. She was, however, drugged out and lost in that crowd for the longest time, and, no, I cannot be convinced she is a good performer. She therefore does fit the confused, otaramol, and lost crowd.

 

She might be a good Ella Fitzgerald clone, but she is not a good and original performer. it is sad really. After all, again, she did come from a musical family, and is the daughter of Opelia Hambartsumian.

 

As to the timing of my comments, I have said the same thing since 1986 or so when she first started out. I didn't like the direction of "jazzifiying" and "scattifying" Komitas as a cheap, CHEAP exploit tthen, and I don't like it now. If she's so great, then let her compose her own stuff and leave Komitas alone. These "jazzifiers" are a dime a dozen. Artashes Kartalian, Datevik, and so on, don't like their direction and never will.

 

She and all the other "scatties" are not impressive except to a smal niche crowd. It is again the same issue with treating mediocre, copycat, and marginal talent as "representative of Armenians."

 

As to what I do consider good talent: I have stated it. There are those out there, but since they are not in the "Ayo Show" crowd, they are not as highly touted. Nune was smart. She used the Party Card and got a Diasporan sponsor. She was the most prosperous because she got people what they wanted. The Arshakyan sisters are another example of those who found external help and are free from the Jazzifying Incubator.

 

Datevik is hardly successful or populat except among those who are stil "over-awed by jazz," without much understanding of what they are listening to.

 

I went to her concert and left the hall in disgust. Same old, same old.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[_femme333_]

i have no idea what Ayo Show is or who was in it...you mentioned Ara Gevorkyan...I can't say that i like him that much, but he's definitely not comparable with Datevik. recently got to know Aida Sargisyan and I can say this....I dont' knwo if she's good or bad but she's also not comparable with Datevik...

 

The cocnert wasn't bad at all. Perhaps you didnt' stay longer to hear her sing with the guitarist...the reason why i think that the guitarist was a talented performer is because he sounded better than Benson while singing...

 

She also knows how to sing her bossa novas!

[Error 404]

hagopn

 

somehow I have a feeling that you have a personal problem with Tatevik. There is no need to generalize it. Alot of people like her performance so do I. I won't change my taste to her music after reading your opinion about her.

 

I think it is useless to debate about the tastes. Arshakyanner and Tatevik are two different topics. I am not familiar with Ayo show maybe you are right about them but not about Tatevik.

[hagopn]

hagopn

 

somehow I have a feeling that you have a personal problem with Tatevik. There is no need to generalize it. Alot of people like her performance so do I. I won't change my taste to her music after reading your opinion about her.

 

I think it is useless to debate about the tastes. Arshakyanner and Tatevik are two different topics. I am not familiar with Ayo show maybe you are right about them but not about Tatevik.

 

Dear friend,

 

I have absolutely no personal issue with any of them, as I have never bothered to get involved personally in this crowd, God forbid. I am a musical idealist, and I am an admirer of the human culture in its honesty, in its honest expression. I don't find that in "Komtas scat."

 

I have to disagree on the separation of Datevik from the Ayo Show. The fact of the matter is that Datevik is a direct product of the Ayo Show where she was a long time "cast member" starting in the early 1980s. Her vocal stylings as mandated by Maestro Artur especially in the original albums with Artur, set the standard for ALL singers in the subsequent generations. This is popularly known among the musician crowd as "The Incubator."

 

One other standard set was that all Armenian music is primitive, and that unless you are some sort of jazz performer, you are wortheless.

 

This actually is a renewal of the ignorance I have seen in Constantin Orberlian when he made the stupid error of comparing Sayat Nova with "today's rabiz."

 

It is useless to talk about any issue, since in final analysis everything is about taste. Therefore, I disagree, since we are talking about talent that is touted as "being representative of Armenian culture," we have to now compare even Apples with Bicycles. The moment you represent yourself as "a representative of Armenian culture," you are responsible for your claims. Scatting and Dooda-ing is not a true claim to Armenian culture. Indeed, it is a matter of taste, good taste or bad taste. To take Komitas' collections of folk improvisations, slap them onto a Ella Fitzgerland clone, and then to proceed to maked a "scat" mashed potato out of this song is, indeed, bad taste and is, in fact, not representative of Armenian culture. it is respresentative of an Armenian sickness, but not Armenian culture. These two are indeed mutually exclusive.

 

 

 

[hagopn]

i have no idea what Ayo Show is or who was in it...you mentioned Ara Gevorkyan...I can't say that i like him that much, but he's definitely not comparable with Datevik. recently got to know Aida Sargisyan and I can say this....I dont' knwo if she's good or bad but she's also not comparable with Datevik...

 

The cocnert wasn't bad at all. Perhaps you didnt' stay longer to hear her sing with the guitarist...the reason why i think that the guitarist was a talented performer is because he sounded better than Benson while singing...

 

She also knows how to sing her bossa novas!

 

The name I mentioned is Artur Grigorian. Ara Gevorkian is a completely different deal.

 

Artur Grigorian was the man in charge of the Ayo Show and was in fact the first "musical producer and director" for Datevik.

 

Ah, ok, you liked the guitarist, and you like the bossa nova. You like it when the guitarist duobles his vocals over his instrumental improvisations. Yes, that is something that George Benson popularized, and that is a good sounding peformance style.

 

I like bossa nova as well. Jobim is a favourite of mine. he is in my opinion a true representative of particularly Rio's riviera cultural scene.

 

Of course, this proves that Tatevik knows her jazz. That's what she knows. Let her do that. In fact, she has matured a bit, not much, since she moved to New York. That's fine. Good for her. Let her be what she is.

 

However, I will not and cannot consider her as a representative of Armenian culture. I have elaborated enough on my opinion on her talents.

 

 

[Error 404]

hagopn

 

what do you think about jazz- man/women who perform old compositions. "Take Five" or "Summertime" or Jobim's "How Insensitive" etc. works have been played by many other performers. Do you still think they are copycats and clones (of Dave Brubeck or Paul Desmond)? Do you think other performers of those works don't deserve to be called jazz- men/women?

 

I myself don't like plagiarism. But jazz is something different.

[_femme333_]

Hagop.....

 

If you want to bash an Armenian jazz singer...try it on Elvina Makaryan!

It might not be right in a sense that she's no longer alive, but Datevik is better than her.

 

Don't get me wrong...I like Elvina, BUT i like the old Elvina Makaryan more! Before she even moved to the states.

 

She definitely changed...her voice changed (i wonder why!) and she lost "it" whatever "it" she had before that made her likeable by most people. I think Elvina was a talanted singer, but her "xxxxxx" sound was way too much and became annoying after a while...something that wasn't necessary to use in her singing style that much.... She had a great voice for a jazz musicians, but after moving to the states, she turned into this "cheap" jazz musician based on her sound.

Also, I think that her looks did not match her singing style at all..all the negative comments about her are based on what she turned into after moving here. She could have used the opportunity of moving to US (the jazz land so to speak) for her own benefit, but she didn't.. Her too much of "xxxxx" sound to her big hair (very tasteless) was just too much.

Again, i do like her, but I prefered the old Elvina....too bad that she didn't take care of herself and died so early.

 

This clip kind of exmplains what I'm trying to say about her... her moves in the clip are just wrong and tasteless.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=q52LUgXONac

 

 

[_femme333_]

Another clip by her....... the part where the guy sings..saying baby ev ailn is soooooo cheesy! I don't know what she or her producers were thinkign about...makes me think that it was produced by an amateur "producer" who decided to experiment his/her abilities for the first time.

 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9BlThTS8fu8