The Armenian Jazz Band

[xBaron Dants]

Anyone ever heard of the Armenian Jazz Band, led by Armen Martirosyan? I just received their CD "Mountain Dance" for Christmas last night (by my very thoughtful mom) and am very impressed. I had never heard of them before, but they make some very good jazz remakes of armenian songs, with just the perfect touch of duduk, zourna, dhol and shvi. Too bad it is only 6 tracks long, but a couple of them are over 7 minutes long. It's the perfect music to hear while driving. .........or to listen in Poplavok with a bottle of Kotayk at hand.

[Arvestaked]

Isn't there a band led by Arto Tuncboyacyan with a similar name?

[xBaron Dants]

Originally posted by Arvestaked Isn't there a band led by Arto Tuncboyacyan with a similar name?

The Armenian Navy Band is the one led by Tuncboyacyan. I haven't heard their work yet. They say it's quite cool and original..

[Arvestaked]

Ah that's right. I've heard some of Arto's music. Very creative and progressive. I should take a listen to the jazz band.

[xBaron Dants]

Originally posted by Arvestaked Ah that's right. I've heard some of Arto's music. Very creative and progressive. I should take a listen to the jazz band.

Let me know what you think, because I will be the first to admit that I'm not a connaisseur in music. I just know that I like how it sounds, and doesn't give me the impression that it is of "cheap" quality, which is sometimes very obvious in music.

[Arvestaked]

I will let you know what I think. But it should not matter. Whether you like it or not is what matters. Music is not only for connoisseurs.

[xBaron Dants]

Originally posted by Arvestaked I will let you know what I think. But it should not matter. Whether you like it or not is what matters. Music is not only for connoisseurs.

Yes, I know. Otherwise I would have waited for other people to say something before I expressed my own opinion. However, it is always nice to hear other people's opinions, especially people who have a certain knowledge. Makes you realize things that you maybe wouldn't have thought of, and maybe gain a new appreciation for the music.

No matter what you say though, I will remain firm in my appreciation of this band....as witnessed by the fact that it is the 5th time I listen to it today.

[whitelotus]

Have you ever listened to Gary Kesayans music ?

hes a wonderful jazz musician , composer

ive gone to all of his concerts, hes awesome.

he usually has a group of jazz musicians he performes with , but sometimes they change, he has jazz singers come and sing some of his music. Its really great.

I think receintly he opened up a jazz club in armenia, yerevan.
and he tours with the band, goes back and forth a great deal.

[xBaron Dants]

Originally posted by whitelotus Have you ever listened to Gary Kesayans music ?

hes a wonderful jazz musician , composer

ive gone to all of his concerts, hes awesome.

he usually has a group of jazz musicians he performes with , but sometimes they change, he has jazz singers come and sing some of his music. Its really great.

I think receintly he opened up a jazz club in armenia, yerevan.
and he tours with the band, goes back and forth a great deal.

Nope, never heard of him actually. Any armenian influence in his music? Duduk and the like?

Another great jazz artist is Datevik Hovanisyan, daughter of Armenian musical goddess Ofelia Hambartzumian. She sings in english too, but her jazz remakes of Komitas tunes is really quite original and enjoyable. She played at the Montreal Jazz Fest a few years ago. She ended her show by singing "Kele Lao, Kele yertank mer Yergir". In the middle of downtown Montreal, surrounded by all those armenians, it was quite a powerful moment.

[whitelotus]

garik kesayan has a great deal of armenian influence in his music, all the melodies are armenian

as far as duduk, he doesnt use it in the music.

he has bass, jazz drums, sax and other instruments, he plays the piano, sometimes the organ with it

gary is pretty popular, if you live in the los angeles area.