- Jazz in Armenia
The first jazz-band of
Yerevan was founded in 1936, by composer Tsolak Vardazaryan. In 1938 composerArtemi Ayvazyan firstly in theUSSR founded the Armenian State Jazz Orchestra. The orchestra's first drummer Robert Yolchyan become the legend of Soviet and Armenian jazz, successfully developed his own style during the decades and continued to play and took master-classes until his death in early 2000's. Another jazz-bands were founded in "Nairi" Cinema Hall, Yerevan Park of Communars, etc. In 1954Konstantin Orbelyan organized estrada quintet ofArmenian Radio . In 1966 in the same Radio young composerMartin Vardazaryan founded the Estrada orchestra, which in 1970's was renamed to estrada-symphonic orchestra under the direction ofMelik Mavisakalyan andYervand Yerznkyan . Then Stepan Shakarian founded the jazz-sextet of Radio, jazz-trios were founded byDavid Azaryan and Artashes Kartalyan. Famous jazz-pianistLevon Malkhasian ("Malkhas") founded his famous jazz-trio in cooperation withArmen Toutounjyan ("Chico") and Arthur Abrahamyan. In 1998 Malkhas become one of the iniciators ofYerevan International Jazz-Festival s. Among the leading modern jazz-musicians are Armen Martirosyan (conductor, pianist), Vahagn Hayrapetian (Petian", piano) and Armen Hyusnunts (sax).ee also
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Armenian music ources
* [http://new.aravot.am/am/articles/culture/37981/view Vartin Vardazarian: Say Jazz, Hear Jazz, "Aravot" daily, 26.03.2008]
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