LAVAL MUSICIANS NOMINATED FOR GRAND JAZZ AWARD
Silvet Ali
Laval News
June 26 2008
Canada
Drummer Michael Gasselsdorfer and pianist Arden Arapyan On Wednesday
July 2, two Chomedeyians will be rocking the TD Canada stage at this
year’s Montreal Jazz Festival.
The Arden Arapyan ensemble are nominated for the General Motors
Grand Jazz prize. Pianist Arapyan is also up for the CBC Rising Star
award. Made up of six members, the group boasts a multi-layered,
worldy array of sounds and beats in their instrumentals, and their
music is getting noticed.
"It’s already an honour to play the fest but getting nominated feels
really good. It’s like a pat on the back," said drummer Michael
Gasselsdoffer in his home on de Capri street. Arapyan, 25, and
Gasselsdoffer, 30 make up the core of the group along with bassist
Kyle Morin. The two friends met in Vanier College’s music program
six years ago and hit it off instantly. "We found out we lived in
the same neighbourhood, started hanging out and eventually started
playing together," said Gasselsdorfer.
Local boys "First off, I would like to thank the people of De Capri
street who never complained about my drumming after all these years,"
said Gasselsdoffer with a laugh. He got his own drums at 12 years old
on his own after saving up from his paper route. "Nobody complained
over the years, except one time. My neighbour called once and asked
to please not play that day because he’d just had his wisdom teeth
pulled. I remember it because it was significant, just one time." he
said.
Arapyan was born into a musical family and receives a lot of influence
from his Armenian background. "My first gig was a wedding and it was
really exciting. My family and community were very supportive growing
up," he said. His father used to sing and Arapyan felt himself being
drawn to the piano right off the bat. "I wanted to play so bad! I
used to watch my dad’s friend play and just stare. Music just became
my passion," he said.
Future plans Although both musicians have played the Jazz Fest
before, it is the first time they will be performing together. The
biggest challenge is finding the time to rehearse around different
schedules. However, the ball got rolling when the ensemble won
a contest on 91.5 Cool FM last November – Montreal’s Jazz radio
station. "Arden mentioned it so we got together, recorded some tracks
and people voted online," explained Gasselsdorfer. The ensemble won,
then found themselves nominated for the Jazz Fest along with nine
other groups.
Both musicians agree the Jazz market is not highly marketable,
but don’t seem to mind. "Jazz doesnt force itself to appeal to the
masses. You like it, because you like music. It doesn’t make you like
it and there’s a freedom in that as a musician wanting to be creative"
explained Arapyan.
What’s next for the ensemble? "World domination," joked
Gasselsdorfer. The friends do hope to record a full album soon and but
also continue working on their own seperate projects. "We talk about
making a CD but are always busy with one thing or another. Somehow,
things are now rolling so we’ll see where it goes from here," said
Gasselsdorfer.
The Arden Arapyan ensemble will hit the stage at the Jazz Fest at
7 and 9 p.m. on the Club Jazz TD Canada Trust stage.The shows are
free. "We invite everyone to come check us out," said Gasselsdoffer.