Albert Asriyan

Albert Asriyan ( _hy. Ալբերտ Ասրիյան, _ru. Альберт Асриян) (June 28 , 1951 - November 28, 2007) was a Soviet-Armenian violinist, composer, arranger and band leader.

Childhood

Albert Asriyan was born in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR on June 28, 1951 to an Armenian family, as the first of three children. Albert's father, Mikhail Asriyan was a circus administrator and his mother, Sirvart Karnezian-Asriyan, a housewife. Growing up in a tough neighborhood in Baku, Albert was enrolled in music school at age 7 where he majored in classical violin and classical piano. After graduating from music school with honors at age 15, in 1966 Albert was accepted to the Azerbaijan State Musical College Asaf Zeinally, where he majored in classical violin and piano.

During his studies at Zeinally, Albert developed a love for jazz. Purchasing bootleg copies of jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, and performing at local gigs in youth music group "Chaika" (English: Seagull), as well as in "Volshebniye Zvuki" (English: Magic Sounds). At the same time, Albert picked up the guitar and began studying by listening to Santana. In 1971, Albert entered the Baku Academy of Music majoring in classical violin and minoring in piano/music composition. His talent as a composer and arranger always found use in conservatory "Kapustnik" (English: Musical Comedy Club). During his years at the conservatory, Albert also played on the conservatory basketball team. Graduating in 1976, Albert began his professional career.

Career in Baku

After graduating from the conservatory, Albert joined the USSR Navy where he became a part of the Orchestra of the Red Banner Caspian Navy as a violinist and guitarist. In 1977 Albert was invited to be part of the Jazz Band of the Philharmonic Society of Baku in the groups "Sevgilim" (English: Loved one) and AzConcert's "Ashugi" (English: Poets in Love). During his time with "Sevgilim" and "Ashugi", Albert performed all over Azerbaijan and other republics of the Soviet Union. Aside from Soviet music, the groups performed many popular foreign songs such as that of James Brown and Chick Corea, despite controversy and strict disapproval of the music committee.

With his close friends and colleagues Elkhan Shikhaliev saxophonist/composer/arranger/vocalist, Siyavush Kerimi oud/keyboars, Rauf Sultanov bass, Ramin Sultanov drums, Mukhtar Yakhyayev keyboards, Yuriy Tagiev vocals, Karen Avanesyan (entertainer, comedian, actor) and other musicians Albert toured all over the USSR.

Albert's success continued to grow, and from 1979-1983 he was one of the first violins of Azerbaijan Radio and TV Symphonic Orchestra conducted by Ramiz Melik Aslanov. During this time he also performed with several pop-groups and was the band leader of group "Bakinskiye Devushki" (English: Girls of Baku) where in 1979 he met his future wife [http://ivettecouture.com/about.html Ivetta Mirzoyan] , a singer and guitarist of the girls group. Albert and Ivetta went on to play together in pop-group "Muleili". On April 21, 1980 Albert and Ivetta were married. On Albert's birthday in 1983, Ivetta and Albert had a daughter, Julie Anna.

In 1983 Albert was invited by famous composer and singer Polad Byul-Byul Ogli to be an arranger and keyboard player for the pop/folk group "Ashugi".

From 1984-1989 Albert was the arranger/ keyboarding/ violinist/ jazz vocalist of the State Orchestra "Gaya" (English: Mountain), conducted by Teymur Mirzoyev. Within "Gaya" formed a rock-group "Talisman" where Albert and his friend Elkhan Shikhaliev wrote and performed most of their compositions. Albert was the artistic leader of the group up to August, 1989. "Talisman" became a very well known and successful band, performing at the XII World Festival of Youth and Students in Moscow-1985. In 1986 Albert with "Gaya" and "Talisman" traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan to perform for the Soviet troops fighting in the war. The band also performed at major events such as the Rock Panorama of Baku-1988, Concert for the USSR government at Republic Concert Hall-Lenin Sarai in Baku, The State Central Concert Hall Russia in Moscow, Column Hall of the House of Unions at the Kremlin, as well as all over the country and outside.

Albert's love for jazz and R&B music strongly reflected on his song writing. His favorite foreign bands, Chicago, Earth, Wind & Fire, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tower of Power, The Eagles and the Bee Gees, were a great influence on his compositions. Albert also loved the music and styling of Al Jarreau, George Benson, Stevie Wonder and Gino Vannelli. Albert's song writing gained popularity and his song "Bez Tebya" (English: Without You), to which Ivetta wrote the lyrics, was performed at the 1987 International Music Festival in Yurmala. The video to his song "Kuvshin" (English: Vase), directed by Sevinc Kerimova, became one of the first music videos to hit television in Azerbaijan and former USSR. Albert's songs were performed on major television programming. "Bez Tebya" was performed at the New Year's Eve Celebrations of 1987-1988 in Baku and "Fakir" performed at the Song of the Year Annual Contest of USSR in Baku, 1987. His song " 80 thousand roses" was performed by "Talisman" at concerts and patriotic festivals in memory of World War 2. Albert was also the composer and performer for Azerbaijan TV Show "Molodejnaya Estrada" in 1979-1982 (English: Youth Stage ) as well as for televised concert of Masters of Arts of Azerbaijan of 1988-1989. His song "Kuvshin" was the closing number.

Career in Moscow

In 1989, due to civil conflict in Baku and after several attacks from the Azeri extremists, fearing for the well-being of his family, Albert was forced to abandon his home and career and escaped with family to Moscow, both with the help of his Armenian and Azeri friends.

With the loss of his career and friends in his former homeland, Albert was deeply affected both personally and professionally. However, Albert was able to develop the strength to re-build his career and support his family. From 1989 to 1993 Albert Asriyan and family resided in Moscow, Russia. Upon invitation of his childhood friend and colleague, composer Boris Vishnevkin, Albert became a part of the Jewish group "Shabas" and performed all over the former USSR. Together they recorded an album in Moscow. Albert performed as a solo performer with his own violin show for various events and performed Armenian folk music with other musicians. On December 25, 1990 Albert and Ivetta had their second daughter, Kristina.

After the fall of the USSR, the people of the Caucasus became "foreigners" in Moscow and became targets of attacks. In 1992, Albert was arrested with keyboard case in hand as a "face of Caucasus" as he was returning home from a gig. At the police station, he was released with the explanation that his keyboard case was mistaken for a machine gun. Albert's wife Ivetta and children were repeatedly verbally attacked and called "blacks" for their non-native Russian features. Albert's family was once again forced to relocate. While in Moscow, Albert and his whole extended family applied for an entry to the USA as refugees. The family was granted entry in 1993.

Career in USA

On July 13, 1993 Albert and family arrived in New York. Relying on his musical talent, knowledge of American music, and the help of his friend Boris Vishnevkin and drummer Emil Rappaport, Albert began to re-build his career from scratch. Albert and Ivetta began to study English at a local school and he landed his first working gig at a local restaurant/club, "Kavkaz" (English: Caucasus). Developing popularity among the Russian-speaking community in the US, Albert performed along with Boka - Boris Davidian (vocalist), Karen Avanesyan (comedian, actor) and Igor Mirzoyan (clarinet) - when they were visiting the USA.

Albert became involved with the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, volunteering to be the musical entertainment for all Church events. As part of the committee of the Russian-Armenian Church community, Albert directed the musical programs, concerts, and child/adult performances. Under the direction of Albert, the youth church group performed at several events, representing the Armenian culture at live annual festivals such as NYANA-New York Association of New Arrivals, Summer Armenian Festivals in New Rochelle, at St. Nersess Seminary, NY, St.Vartan Armenian Cathedral in New York, NY, Holy Martyrs Armenian Church Bayside Queens, NY, St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church in New Jersey, and many more. Albert was numerously awarded with Certificate of Appreciation from the Primate, His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.

In 1996 Albert created his own entertainment program, [http://www.albertsshoworchestra.com Albert's Show Orchestra] , consisting of Albert Asriyan (artistic leader, violinist, vocalist, keyboardist, arranger, composer), his wife, Ivetta Asriyan (vocalist, songwriter), Robert Toniev (vocalist, keyboardist), Levon Mnatsakanian (vocalist), Arthur Gesiyan (guitar), Lev Yelisavetski (vocalist/keyboard), Eduard Kurchakov (saxophone), Isabelle-Bella Khanuka (vocalist) as well as other musicians. In 2000, Albert's daughters Julie Anna and Kristina, whom Albert had enrolled in music studies since childhood, joined "Albert's Show Orchestra".

As Albert's reputation and popularity grew in the US, he was invited to perform at private and public events all over the states. His half-hour solo violin performance "Albert's Show" became a staple of major celebrations in the tri-state area.

Due to the nature of music business instability, Albert often had to search for new job opportunities. He worked at several well known Russian clubs/restaurants in Brooklyn.

In 2000, Albert suffered a major setback, when his musical instruments and stage equipment burned in a restaurant fire in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. The fire destroyed Albert's beloved old Italian handmade violin, on which he had played since youth. Albert also lost his array of music recordings, music books, lyrics and notes. Albert once again searched for a new job. With the help of friends and family, he was able to purchase new instruments, keyboards, violins, and stage equipment; returning to the stage soon after.

Albert's involvement in music continued to evolve. From 2000, he worked as a violin and guitar teacher at the International Children's Center For Performing Arts in Brooklyn, NY as well as a private teacher. He also worked as a consultant and arranger/composer for children's string orchestra conducted by his sister Ruzanna Akopjan (Russian: Рузанна Акопджан), in New Jersey. Albert was also the arranger/songwriter/music consultant for "Allegretto" Music and Art Studio run by his sister in law Ida Melik-Mirzakhan (Russian: Ида Мелик-Мирзахан); with whom he wrote several songs.

In 2005, Albert and Ida composed a requiem "A moment of Silence" to the lyrics of his niece Victoriya Melik-Mirzakhan and poetry of Ivetta and Ida's father Alexandr J. Mirzoyan. The requiem was performed by Ivetta (vocals), Igor Mirzoyan (clarinet and Armenian duduk), and Karine Kocharyan (Armenian poetry reading). Ardzagank Armenian TV created a video to the requiem which was broadcast nationally. The requiem was a dedication to Ida's son and Albert's nephew Alexander, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident at age 20 in 2003.

Albert dedicated a great amount of time to the development of his daughters' musical careers. Enrolling them into multiple music and art schools for music, dance and the performing arts. His daughter Kristina's musical talent and interest grew into a family endeavour. Albert worked at his home studio on creating her music demo, writing several songs for her album and competitions. Albert and Ivetta's song "Zvezdopad" (Russian: Звездопад, English: Star Falls) performed by Kristina was entered into the Russian-American song-writing competition "Moya Pesnya" (Russian: Моя Песня, English: My Song) broadcast on Russian-American TV station RTVI and Russian "Davidzon Radio Station" in 2006. Albert and Ivetta's hard work paid off and Kristina was named 1st place winner and 2006 Artist of the Year of the "Our Talented Children" competition (Russian: Конкурс Наши Талантливые Дети). Albert accompanied Kristy at her solo performance of Summertime, by George Gershwin, at the Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center in New York City, on March 25, 2007. Albert and Ivetta released several albums of their own music as well as Russian and Armenian music, including violin classics of "Albert's Show", which were quickly distributed among the Russian-Armenian community in the tri-state area.

On November 22, 2007 Albert was invited to "Davidzon Radio Station"- program "Karavan" for their Thanksgiving day celebration to talk about his life and career and discuss his past music accomplishments and future plans. The one-hour program broadcast several of his talents as a violinist, composer, arranger and teacher. Due to his popularity within the Russian community dating back to his career in Baku, many fans and colleagues called in to remark on his talent and great personality.

Death

Less than a week from his radio interview, on November 27, 2007, Albert became ill and was taken to the Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Maestro Albert Asriyan died at 2 a.m on November 28, 2007. Albert's life and career ended abruptly. He died as his career as a great performer and talented teacher was rising. His passing was a shock to his family, friends, students and fans. He was 56.

The "New York Daily News" published an [http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2007/12/07/2007-12-07_family_mourns_death_of_albert_asriyan_.html article] about Maestro Albert Asriyan on December 7, 2007, reflecting on his life and contribution to music.

References

Official Site
[http://alberts-show.com/AlbertAsriyanNews.html Albert Asriyan]