IGOR BUTMAN’S JAZZ QUARTET TO PERFORM IN YEREVAN ON OCCASION OF 70th ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN JAZZ

Noyan Tapan

Se p 23, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN. A concert of jazz quartet of
one of the famous performers of Russian jazz, saxophone player Igor
Butman will take place on September 26 at Aram Khachatrian concert
hall, within the framework of jubilee concerts dedicated to the 70th
anniversary of Armenian jazz.

Pianist Levon Malkhasian, the Chairman of jubilee steering committee
of Armenian Jazz 70, said at the September 22 press conference that
Yerevan tour of the Russian jazz quartet will be carried out with the
assistance of the VTB-Armenia bank. According to Levon Malkhasian, a
traditional jam session will take place after the Yerevan concert and
Igor Butman will also hold master class for young people and students
at Komitas State Conservatory. Igor Butman’s quartet is one of the best
jazz bands in Russia, it has performed on tours in European countries,
in the United States, in Israel, in Turkey, and in other countries.

Chairman of steering committee Levon Malkhasian said that a surprise
and exclusive concert meetings with stars of American jazz await
Armenian jazz-lovers in October and November: a concert of one of
the famous figures of American jazz, Al Jazero will take place on
October 21 in Yerevan, and George Benson will arrive with a concert
program in Armenia in late November. L. Malkhasian also said that Al
Di Meola’s tour is expected in the same month, but the exact date is
not known yet. Speaking about the jubilee events of Armenian Jazz
70, Levon Malkhasian said that the queen of Armenian jazz, Tatevik
Hovhannisian will again perform in Yerevan on September 29.

Besides Aram Khachatrian concert hall, the singer will also perform
at the Chamber Music House and at jazz clubs. Besides, visits of
other jazz bands to Armenia are also expected.

Levon Malkhasian also said that a book on Armenian jazz will be
published and a documentary on Armenian jazz will be shot by the
end of the year. And as a result of the competition held within the
framework of the jazz festival two young pianists will leave for the
United States to study at Berkley Academy.

Speaking about jazz trends, the pianist said that ethnic jazz trend
is widely spread all over the world today. Levon Malkhasian gave
assurance that it is not compulsory at all "that duduk or kamancha
perform next to saxophone or piano for it to be considered Armenian
jazz." According to him, even without presentation of instruments,
purely by performer’s inner feelings and rhythms one can feel and
see ethnic jazz.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress