Hayk Tutunjyan, the son of acclaimed Armenian jazzman, drummer, and jazz historian Armen Chico Tutunjyan, spoke to Aravot about the upcoming Armenian jazz events in four U.S. cities and the jazz quartet formed for these events, organized in celebration of the English publication of Armen Tutunjyan’s book titled Jazz in Armenia.
– Hayk, Armenian jazz events are going to be held in New York, Boston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. Why these cities? What should the audience expect from these events?
– The concerts will take place on April 30 in New York, May 2 in Boston, May 3 in Dallas, and May 4 in Los Angeles. The initiator and organizer of the events in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles is the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). The event in Dallas is organized by the Parish Council of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church.
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The occasion behind this tour is the recently published English edition of the book Jazz in Armenia, authored by my late father, Armen Chico Tutunjyan, a renowned jazzman and a pioneer of jazz in Armenia. The AGBU, among other organizations, has made a significant contribution to the publication of this book within the AGBU Arts program. As I mentioned, the book is now available in English, the native language of jazz. This inspired us to showcase the book in the homeland of jazz, the U.S.. I believe this is a well-deserved tribute to the 85-year rich history of Armenian jazz and, most importantly, to the figures who have shaped that history.
Regarding the choice of cities, we selected New York for the opening event because the AGBU headquarters are located here. Additionally, it’s no secret that New York has deep jazz traditions and a large Armenian community.
As for Boston, my dear friend, American-Armenian lawyer and Chairman of the New England AGBU Center Ara Balikian, lives there. It was thanks to Ara Balikian that one of my father’s lifelong dreams came true back in 2015— he visited the American hometown of jazz, New Orleans. I joined my father on that unforgettable trip two years before his passing. In 1994, my father completed a six-month fellowship at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, which he considered one of his greatest academic achievements. I myself studied at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston. With all this considered, Boston holds a special place in both my and my father’s hearts. This is why the upcoming event in Boston is particularly meaningful for me.
The idea to include Dallas came from the local Armenian community. The Parish Council of the St. Sarkis Armenian Church has already hosted several wonderful jazz events, and I know they are looking forward to hosting this one as well.
As for Los Angeles, the region is well-known for having the largest Armenian community in the United States. The AGBU’s Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Performing Arts Center has graciously agreed to join this project and host an Armenian jazz event.
These evenings will be filled with unforgettable jazz. I can confidently say that the concerts will appeal not only to Armenian jazz fans but also to Americans and international audiences alike.
– Tell us more about the musicians. Who will perform?
– Let me first note that these events are organized under the slogan “Armenians in Jazz.” This has become a brand under which numerous cultural initiatives have been organized as part of the AGBU Arts program, led by New York-based pianist Hayk Arsenyan.
The headlining band for the upcoming events is a jazz quartet led by the renowned American-Armenian pianist Vardan Ovsepian. This is a special lineup for this tour. Vardan will be joined by drummer Karen Kocharyan, double bassist Noah Garabedian, and duduk player Emmanuel Hovhannisyan.
I have known Vardan and Karen personally for many years. They are part of a select group of Armenian jazz musicians who, after starting their careers in Armenia, have achieved significant success in the homeland of jazz.
Vardan lives in Los Angeles and has recorded many albums, showcasing a unique style as both a performer and composer. His performances are always highly anticipated worldwide.
Karen was one of my father’s best students and has collaborated with famous jazz musicians, including saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi. After living in Boston for about 15 years, he decided to move back to Armenia. Today, he is one of the most sought-after jazz drummers in Armenia.
I am looking forward to meeting Noah Garabedian and Emmanuel Hovhannisyan for the first time. They are truly brilliant artists, and I have heard a lot about them. I will experience their talent live for the first time during these events.
Noah Garabedian, an American-Armenian from New York, has previously collaborated with Vardan Ovsepian.
Emmanuel Hovhannisyan is one of our best duduk players living in Los Angeles. In my humble opinion, he possesses a unique style, high musical taste, and mastery, creating a harmonious fusion of national wind instruments with jazz.
The quartet will perform jazz interpretations of Armenian music, original compositions by Vardan Ovsepian, and some jazz standards. The events will also feature a brief video presentation about Armenian jazz and the book. It will basically be a live concert and book presentation at once. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy live jazz, purchase the book, and simply have a great time.
– You mentioned Chico’s book, Jazz in Armenia, and said that it is already available in English. Please tell us a bit more about the book.
– This book is one of my father’s most significant legacies. In addition to playing jazz, he dedicated his entire life to researching, teaching, and promoting it. He thoroughly examined both the history of world jazz and the stages of its emergence and development in Armenia.
This book best reflects the knowledge and impressions he accumulated throughout his life. My father dedicated about ten years to its creation. It is not merely a jazz encyclopedia. It is a compilation of his personal impressions of all the important events that form the core of Armenian jazz history. Since the early 1960’s, he has been both an eyewitness and a direct participant in that history.
Jazz in Armenia is currently the only work that presents the history of Armenian jazz in such depth and volume. It is undoubtedly a unique book, and I am proud that it is now also available in English. I hope it serves as a valuable resource for those who will shape the future of Armenian jazz and for those studying its history.
Interview by Arsen AIVAZIAN
