Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206
Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
[email protected]
Jazz Singer Datevik Hovanesian to Perform Live at Annual Gala, Telethon 2006
Los Angeles, CA – Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region is proud to
announce that world renowned jazz singer Datevik Hovanesian and her
quartet will perform during Armenia Fund’s Annual Gala welcoming
President Ghoukasian of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as during the 9th
Annual International Telethon, which will be held on Thanksgiving
Day, November 23, 2006. The sold out Annual Gala will be held at the
Omni Los Angeles Hotel at the California Plaza on Sunday, November
19, 2006 at 7pm. Datevik and her jazz quartet join Armenia Fund’s
international effort to help raise critically needed funds for the
Hadrut Regional Development in Nagorno Karabakh.
Datevik was born in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia and comes from
a family of musicians. Her mother is Ophelia Hambartsumian, the
renowned diva of Armenian Folk and her father, Norair Hovanesian,
is an expert kamancha (folk string instrument) player.
Datevik made her first recording at the age of 11 with Harold Arlen’s
song "It’s Only a Paper Moon." Thereafter, music and song became
her focal point and her life’s raison d’etre. While continuing
her musical education in the field of choir director, Datevik also
embarked on performance tours in Europe, the United States, Asia,
and Africa. She juggled participation in well-known jazz festivals
with solo performances, movies, and teaching. By 1979 this rising
song star had earned the title of "The First Lady of Jazz" in the
Soviet Union, which she maintained for nine consecutive years.
It was during that time that her solo albums – "Day Dream", "Concerto
for Voice & Orchestra", and "Doors" – were recorded.
In 1990, she was introduced to Mr. Pierre Sprey, president of
Mapleshade Record Productions. That meeting marked the beginning of
her musical career in the United States. Mr. Sprey opened the doors
of his studio to Datevik and facilitated for a recording session
with the wonderful and very talented pianist Larry Willis and his
quartet – the result of which was a beautiful album "Ballads from
the Sea". Asked about her experience, Datevik states, "I consider my
Mapleshade studio experience with the magical music of Larry Willis
as one of the unforgettable highlights of my life".
Some of Datevik’s biggest accomplishments of her career and most
important contribution to Armenian music have been in the last 16
years. Datevik has introduced a new genre of music called Ethnic Jazz,
by combining Armenian folk music and traditional jazz music. She
has accomplished this notably through the introduction of Komitas,
Sayat Nova, and Armenian traditional songs, in the medium of jazz,
to the new generation of Armenians and to people of all nationalities
and various backgrounds. Datevik is truly a cultural Ambassador
of Armenia. She has extensively traveled all over the world and
participated at prestigious jazz festivals. Since Datevik extensively
works with non-Armenian musicians, she has had the distinct opportunity
to introduce them to Armenian music and culture. Notable American,
Russian, and Australian musicians have adopted this type of music in
their compositions and concerts.
Her latest music CDs that include Armenian ethnic jazz music are
"Listen to My Heart" and "Stage to Stage". When asked about Datevik,
legendary jazz producer George Avakian said, "The finest new voice I
have heard in a quarter of century". Internationally known composer,
arranger and pianist Michel Legrand added, "Listen to the Heart of
Armenia, listen to Datevik".
Armenia Fund’s 9th Annual International Telethon will be held on
Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2006 from 8am – 8pm PST. The live
telethon will feature guest appearances of celebrities and community
leaders, renowned Armenian performers, as well as Armenia Fund’s
long time donors and supporters. Proceeds from the Telethon will be
geared towards the fight against rural poverty — which includes
the reconstruction of a regional hospital with 5 new ambulances, the
construction of local village schools, waterways for irrigation and
drinking water purposes, and a comprehensive agricultural development
plan. The 12 hour live program will be webcasted on
on the day of the Telethon.
For further broadcast information, please visit
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian
and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh. Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $160 million
in development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund,
Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of "Hayastan" All-Armenian
Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698