Levon Ichkhanian

Infobox musical artist
Name = Levon Ichkhanian


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Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
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Born = 1964
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Origin = Beirut, Lebanon of Armenian Decent
Instrument = Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Oud, Bouzouki, Banjitar, Ukelele, Mandolin, Glissentar
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Genre = Jazz, World, Traditional
Occupation = Musician, Producer,Composer
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URL = [http://www.levonmusic.com levonmusic.com]
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Biography

Levon Ichkhanian is a Toronto based guitarist/world stringed instruments specialist, versed in Jazz, World and Traditional music. Levon was born in 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, of Armenian decent. He is the son of Edouard Ichkhanian, renown Musical Director of Middle Eastern artists, nephew to Professor Joseph Ichkhanian, founder of the classical guitar program at the Beirut Conservatory of Music, and cousin of Hovannes Darbinian, the world leading scholar and performer of the Armenian Tar. As a youngster, Levon lived in and traveled to Jordan, Cyprus and Isfahan. In 1977, his family immigrated to Canada during the Lebanese Civil war.

Levon followed the family musical tradition, performing his first professional gig at the age of 13 with Pioneer of Armenian Pop, Adiss Harmandian. Years since, he has become a recording and touring artist, composer and producer. He has released 3 solo CDs, played on over 100 commercially released and diverse recordings (e.g. "Waqt Par Bolna" Hariharan, "Tango Notturno" Isabel Bayrkdarian, "Canadian Idol: Greatest Moments" BMG Music Canada), performed on soundtracks for the likes of Atom Egoyan and David Suzuki, and is an orchestra member in theatre stage productions (most recently Lord of the Rings and Spamalot). Levon has toured throughout Canada, United States, Carribean, South America and Europe, both with his own world/jazz group, as well as with other notable international musicians/groups as Dee Dee Bridgewater, Sattar, Svik Apik, Hariharan, Shankar, Mahadevan, A.R.Rahman, and Peter Murphy. Levon is an avid explorer of improvisation, which forms the basis for his workshops, masterclasses and clinics. Levon has published articles in Guitar Player Magazine and is a regular contributor to Canadian Musician Magazine.

CD Releases

* "After Hours" - Armenian/Middle East melodies in a contemporary jazz setting featuring Grammy Award winners Paquito D'Rivera and John Pattituci. Nominated Best Jazz Fusion – Armenian Music Awards
* "Travels" - Grooves and melodies from the Middle East to Brazil, featuring Alain Caron. Winner Best Jazz Fusion Album – Armenian Music Awards
* "Kick-n' Jazz" with Master Drummer Bernard Purdie

Commissions

* "The Ark", Nashville Chamber Orchestra
* "The Wedding", Atlantic Jazz Society

Awards and Distinctions

* Acknowledgment for musical excellence from Governor General of Canada
* Canadian All Star Jazz Award
* Outstanding Service to Jazz Education - International Association of Jazz Educators
* Unisong International Song Contest Entry of Merit – “the Gift”
* Hamazkain music award
* Marash music award

Trivia

Immediately following the tragic Armenian earthquake of 1992, Levon played an integral role in the development of a benefit concert in Toronto to raise funds for an Armenian medical clinic. Levon was the musical director, bringing together the top Armenian musicians to participate in the event.

References

* [http://www.jazzguitar.be/jazz_guitar_free_mp3_levon_ichkhanian.html jazzguitar.be]
* [http://truefire.com/list.html?store=original_music&viewauthor=239 truefire.com]
* [http://thewholenote.com/wholenote_apr_06/world.html thewholenote.com]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:wjfrxqlhld0e~T1 allmusic.com]

External Links

* [http://www.levonmusic.com levonmusic.com]

* [http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080507levon CBC Concerts on Demand]