Tigran Hamasyan
Encyclopedia
Tigran Hamasyan is an Armenian jazz
pianist. He plays mostly original compositions, which are strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition, often using its scales and modalities. In addition to Tigran's folk influence, he is much influenced by American jazz tradition and to some extent, as on his album Red Hail, by progressive rock. His most recent album, entitled A Fable, which is a solo album, is most strongly influenced by Armenian folk music. Even on his most overt jazz compositions and renditions of well-known jazz pieces, his improvisations often contain embellishments based on scales from Middle Eastern/South Western Asian traditions.
As sideman
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist. He plays mostly original compositions, which are strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition, often using its scales and modalities. In addition to Tigran's folk influence, he is much influenced by American jazz tradition and to some extent, as on his album Red Hail, by progressive rock. His most recent album, entitled A Fable, which is a solo album, is most strongly influenced by Armenian folk music. Even on his most overt jazz compositions and renditions of well-known jazz pieces, his improvisations often contain embellishments based on scales from Middle Eastern/South Western Asian traditions.
Awards
- 2002: 3rd Prize Concours International de Piano-Jazz Martial Solal (Paris).
- 2003: 1st Prize Jazz à Juan Révélations in the jazz instrumental category.
- 2003: 1st Prize Prix de la Critique et du Public, Concours de Piano du Montreux Jazz FestivalMontreux Jazz FestivalThe Montreux Jazz Festival is the best-known music festival in Switzerland and one of the most prestigious in Europe; it is held annually in early July in Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva...
. - 2005: 3rd Prize Concours de Piano-Jazz de Moscou.
- 2005: 1st Prize 8ème Concours de Solistes de Jazz de Monaco.
- 2006: 1st Prize Thelonious Monk Institute of JazzThelonious Monk Institute of JazzThe Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is a non-profit music education-oriented organization co-founded in 1986 by the family of the late American jazz musician Thelonious Monk, opera singer Maria Fisher and Thomas R...
. - 2006: 2nd Prize Concours International de Piano-Jazz Martial Solal.
Discography
As leader- World Passion (2006) Nocturne
- New Era (2007) Plus Loin Music
- Arrata Rebirth: Red Hail (2009) Plus Loin Music
- A Fable (2011) Verve
As sideman
- Abu Nawas Rhapsody (2010) Jazzland Records, with Dhafer YoussefDhafer YoussefDhafer Youssef is a composer, singer and oud player. He developed an interest in jazz at an early age and clandestinely listened to it during his education at a Qur'anic school. He later left Tunisia to start a jazz career and has lived in Europe since 1990, usually in Paris or Vienna. He also...
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