Over the past decade, prolific improvisational/experimental pianist and composer Armen Nalbandian has earned wide-spread notoriety for his achievements in the arts. Nalbandian has composed over 600 original compositions, leads over a dozen music ensembles ranging from improvisational duets to full piece orchestras, and is a highly regarded performer on the piano and Fender Rhodes mechanical piano. Nalbandian's compositions have included music for his trio, string quartets, orchestral music, Japanese folk music, music for theater, Armenian folk music, and "game pieces." Nalbandian's most consistent output over the years has taken place in the trio format
Nalbandian was born in Manchester, England in 1978, and decided on pursuing a career in music after hearing Leonard Bernstein's Symphony 2 "The Age of Anxiety," and jazz after hearing Elvin Jones for the first time..
Armen Nalbandian is the protégé of Jazz legend John Hicks and has performed with many Jazz legends including: Billy Higgins, Art Farmer, Albert "Tootie" Heath & Han Bennink.
Since 2004, Armen Nalbandian has held the position of Musical Director/Resident Artist for the Fresno Art Museum. In 2004, the art community also witnessed the birth of Armen Nalbandian’s “Rhythms of Art” monthly concert series hosted by the Fresno Art Museum. Since its inception, Nalbandian’s “Rhythms of Art” program has been met with critical acclaim and overwhelming success from Nalbandian’s musical endeavors which range from performance of original compositions inspired by the museum’s artistic exhibitions to expanded “Sound Ensembles” improvising based on Armen’s direction through “game pieces”. Nalbandian has composed music for countless visual artists, most notably Anne Scheid, Olga Seem, Arshille Gorky & Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Nalbandian recently concluded his 4th season as Musical Director/Resident Artist of the Fresno Art Museum. The 2007-2008 “Rhythms of Art” concert season featured Nalbandian performing improvised duets with legendary drummer Han Bennink. With the blessings and support of the composer, Nalbandian performed the music of John Zorn's Masada in May 2008, as a benefit for Zorn's performance venue: The Stone. Nalbandian is also the artistic director of the F.O.R.M. (Festival of Resurrected Music)
Nalbandian's collaborations have included projects with Def Jam poet Sunni Patterson, soul singer Nino Moschella, Tzadik recording artist Derek Keller and poet Lee Herrick among many others. Not only has Nalbandian drawn inspiration from various artists and poets, but many artists and poets have drawn inspiration from Nalbandian and his music for their creations including a painting entitled Manchester Born and a 2007 poem entitled “Jazz,” by Pushcart Prize Nominee, Lee Herrick, which references Nalbandian throughout.
Blacksmith Brother Music (Nalbandian’s own Record Label) successfully released his trio album “Armen” in 2006. Blacksmith Brother Music in partnership with Noise Boutique released the Armen Nalbandian Trio’s follow-up recording “Manchester Born” and Nalbandian’s solo experimental “prepared” Fender Rhodes recording “Young Kings Get Their Heads Cut Off” in late 2007. Blacksmith Brother/Noise Boutique will release numerous other recordings from Armen Nalbandian that continue to span the experimental music spectrum and redefine the art of sound. Nalbandian is currently composing for a new trio recording, solo project, and completing his documentary and book entitled "A Forgotten History: Improvised music from the 1970's.
"from swinging piano melodies to moody atmospheric prepared rhodes, Armen brings a myriad of sounds for the listeners delight"
- Susie Ibarra
www.susieibarra.com
"Extemely tuneful and organic music with a real group synergy, plus a wonderful negotiation between accessibility and a true spirit of adventure. Highly recommended!"
- D.D. Jackson
jazz pianist/composer, Downbeat columnist
www.ddjackson.com
“Armen Nalbandian's new trio release is a testament to what is happening in contemporary jazz today. So often critics of new jazz scoff at music that smacks of a player's influences and dismiss this new music as merely referential and unoriginal. This attitude misses the point of art. New music and the musicians that create it, irrespective of style, are always an aggregate of what they absorb, a synthesis of their study and experience, and are in conversation with the past in order to find a new future. Nalbanian's new recording is that synthesis and conversation. A beautiful combination of hard bop, free improvisation, and experimentation, Nalbandian's new compositions (and the band that he has put together to realize them) are at once provocative, referential, and curiously "out" without leaving the lay listener a way in.”
-Derek Keller Tzadik Recording Artist
“After hearing Armen Nalbandian’s new CD, I can say that Armen has found a personal voice in expressing a music that is so clearly a part of his soul. He brings to his improvisations and organization to his arrangements. He has a touch and playfulness reminiscent of Thelonious Monk , and a feeling of swing that is natural and easy.”
-Ted Nash
www.tednash.com
"A beautiful recording. Close your eyes and travel along with the trio as they take you on a sonic journey. Wonderful!"
-The Misled Children
www.myspace.com/themisledchildren
'' Armen Nalbandian is a truly great modern musician with an expansive understanding of the jazz tradition and then some. He has a completely open mind and big open ears. His work on prepared fender rhodes is a revelation to someone like me who grew up hearing that instrument in the way it was used in the 70s. Armen can massage the jazz and can find the music and beauty in noise.''
-Matthew Shipp
www.matthewshipp.com
-MANAGEMENT, BOOKING & MEDIA CONTACT-
Christopher Bravo
management@noiseboutique.com
management@armennalbandian.com
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