With pianist/composer Tigran Hamasyan, potent jazz improvisation fuses with the rich folkloric music of his native Armenia. Turning 30 in 2017, he’s one of the most remarkable and distinctive jazz-meets-rock pianists of his generation. A piano virtuoso with groove power, One of his earliest albums, 2008’s New Era, was championed by one scribe who wrote that “with more seasoning and a calming maturity not driven by merely showing off, Hamasyan is certain to elevate his art to a top tier of jazz and world music expressionism.” Several years later he certainly made that statement prophetic as he was applauded by NPR Music: ““With startling combinations of jazz, minimalist, electronic, folk and songwriterly elements…Hamasyan and his collaborators travel musical expanses marked with heavy grooves, ethereal voices, pristine piano playing and ancient melodies. You’ll hear nothing else like this in 2015.” He has recorded on various labels —France’s Red Loins, Nonesuch and ECM—with his electro-acoustic powerhouse trio as well as the Yerevan State Chamber Choir for his 2015 Luys i Luso project focused on Armenian sacred music stretching stylistically from the 5th century to the 20th century.
Playlist :
Tigran Hamasyan : I Didn't Know What Time It Was (StandArt - Nonesuch - 2022)
Tigran Hamasyan : Big Foot (StandArt - Nonesuch - 2022)
Tigran Hamasyan : Nairian Odyssey (An Ancient Observer - Nonesuch - 2017)
Tigran Hamasyan Trio : Aparani Par (The Dance Of Aparan) (New Era - Plus Loin Music - 2007)
Tigran Hamasyan : Part 1: Serpentine (Red Hail - Plus Loin Music - 2009)
Tigran Hamasyan, Yerevan State Chamber Choir / Harutyun Topikyan : Ov Zarmanali (2) (Luys I Luso - ECM Records- 2015)
Tigran Hamasyan : The American (For Gyumri - Nonesuch - 2018)