Ivan Farmakovsky
Encyclopedia
Ivan Farmakovsky is a Russia
n jazz pianist, composer and arranger.
- continuing in Gnessin Russian Academy of Music
. One of Ivan's mentors was Igor Brill, one of Russia's most respected jazz pianists. During his student days, participated in various international competitions and succeeded to be a prize-winner in the Europe Jazz Contest in Belgium
, 1997.
Ivan's talent was noticed by saxophonist Igor Butman
after him playing as sideman with Benny Golson
and Valery Ponomarev
. Soon after the gig, Ivan Farmakovsky became a member of Igor's quartet and Big Band. Since that time he played with Curtis Fuller
, Randy Brecker
, Bill Evans
, Wynton Marsalis
, Seamus Blake and many others.
, in collaboration with such musicians as Ryan Kisor
(trumpet
), Igor Butman
(saxophone
), Ugonna Okegwo (bass
) and Gene Jackson (drums). The album was released physically in Russia
(Boheme Music label, April 2009) and digitally in the US on Jazzheads (January 2010).
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n jazz pianist, composer and arranger.
Biography
Born into a creative family of an actress and pianist, Ivan Farmakovsky attended a musical school under the studio of recreation center “Moskvorechie” since the age of 5. At that time this institution was practically the only school in The Soviet Union where jazz was part of educational program together with classical music. In 1988 he became student of the variety-jazz department of The Gnessin State Musical CollegeGnessin State Musical College
The Gnessin State Musical College and Gnessin Russian Academy of Music is a prominent music school in Moscow, Russia...
- continuing in Gnessin Russian Academy of Music
Gnessin State Musical College
The Gnessin State Musical College and Gnessin Russian Academy of Music is a prominent music school in Moscow, Russia...
. One of Ivan's mentors was Igor Brill, one of Russia's most respected jazz pianists. During his student days, participated in various international competitions and succeeded to be a prize-winner in the Europe Jazz Contest in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, 1997.
Ivan's talent was noticed by saxophonist Igor Butman
Igor Butman
Igor Butman is a jazz saxophonist born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1961. He is considered to be a virtuoso saxophonist, and a skilled bandleader. American saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. was instrumental in introducing Igor Butman to American audiences by featuring the Russian saxophonist on...
after him playing as sideman with Benny Golson
Benny Golson
Benny Golson is an American bebop/hard bop jazz tenor saxophonist, composer, and arranger.-Biography:While in high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Golson played with several other promising young musicians, including John Coltrane, Red Garland, Jimmy Heath, Percy Heath, Philly Joe Jones, and...
and Valery Ponomarev
Valery Ponomarev
Valery Ponomarev, Russian: Вале́рий Миха́йлович Пономарёв, Valery Mikhaylovich Ponomaryov, is a Russian born jazz trumpeter. He has lived in the United States since 1973.-Career:...
. Soon after the gig, Ivan Farmakovsky became a member of Igor's quartet and Big Band. Since that time he played with Curtis Fuller
Curtis Fuller
Curtis DuBois Fuller is an American jazz trombonist, known as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and contributor to many classic jazz recordings.-Biography:...
, Randy Brecker
Randy Brecker
Randal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, Bill Evans
Bill Evans (saxophonist)
Bill Evans is an American jazz saxophonist. His father was a classical piano prodigy and until junior high school Evans studied classical clarinet. Early in his studies he was able to hear such artists as Sonny Stitt and Stan Getz live at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago...
, Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Learson Marsalis is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, music educator, and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Marsalis has promoted the appreciation of classical and jazz music often to young audiences...
, Seamus Blake and many others.
Debut Album
In 2008 Ivan Farmakovsky recorded a debut album entitled "Next To The Shadow" which consisted of his own compositions. The recording took place at Sear Sound Studios, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in collaboration with such musicians as Ryan Kisor
Ryan Kisor
Ryan Kisor is an American jazz trumpeter.A native of Sioux City, Iowa, Kisor learned trumpet from his father Larry Kisor and started playing in a local dance band at age ten. Kisor began classical trumpet lessons at age 12, met Clark Terry when he was 15 , and played with all-star high school bands...
(trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
), Igor Butman
Igor Butman
Igor Butman is a jazz saxophonist born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1961. He is considered to be a virtuoso saxophonist, and a skilled bandleader. American saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. was instrumental in introducing Igor Butman to American audiences by featuring the Russian saxophonist on...
(saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
), Ugonna Okegwo (bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
) and Gene Jackson (drums). The album was released physically in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
(Boheme Music label, April 2009) and digitally in the US on Jazzheads (January 2010).