The following appeared in friday night's concert program



Note from the Musical Director



Welcome to the Fresno Art Museum’s Bonner Auditorium and thank you for coming. Since September 2004, I have hosted 21 concerts in this wonderful room. While all of our concerts have been special to me, tonight’s concert holds very special meaning to me. This concert holds dual meanings, it is both the CD release for my debut recording as well as the official coming out concert for the trio.

The members of my trio should come to no surprise to any fan of the Rhythms of Art concert series. They are both the most accomplished and versatile musicians on their instruments in Central California. Both Kevin and Brian joined the R.OA. Ensemble in March of 2005 and things have never been the same. I have known Brian for almost 15 years now and Kevin for about a decade, and while the three of us have worked in many different contexts, this is the beginning of The Armen Nalbandian Trio.

The recording we made this past January, which is now our debut CD, begins the first chapter of this trio. The recording was made in just 4 hours (that includes rehearsals) in one evening. Not only were the final CD versions first takes but they were also the first time we played through many of these songs. After you listen to this concert, check out the CD and compare our different versions of the tunes and how they have developed.

Since the recording, the three of have performed regularly to develop this material and to add new songs to our book. I have recently written a few new compositions specifically for this ensemble and we have also started exploring some other beautiful tunes.

Tonight, I unveil to you: The Armen Nalbandian Trio. As you listen to us play, I am sure that you will hear many influences, some obvious, some not. Regardless of the influences we have and the tradition we come out of, I think that the trio has definitely begun to find its own voice. On the recording, Dormant offers the listener the beginning of the style that the trio has developed. Unlike some of our peers, our ensemble has created our arrangements organically as opposed to strict arrangements or even no arrangements. The three of us are constantly reacting to each other’s musical outputs and responding thusly. At no time do any of us fall into a traditional “accompaniment” role. The trio’s natural predecessors are the ensembles of Thelonious Monk. However, unlike Monk’s groups, as we develop our solos we don’t play solos as variations of the theme or melody but rather the solos and improvisation sections are rhythmically developed of the theme with an implied harmony. With this trio, while we have a prescribed harmony, Kevin and I constantly are playing around and through the harmony, constantly changing our reference points.

Even if you don’t listen for the details, I hope you will enjoy both the trio’s musical style and artistic vision. Resuming in April, our R.O.A. program will feature original Armenian music influenced by the work of Arshile Gorky. We have many more projects in the works, and we hope you take the time to visit armennalbandian.com to keep track of them.

Thanks,

Armen Nalbandian
F.A.M. Musical Director/Resident Artist

A big congratulations to Armen Nalbandian, Kevin Hill and Brian Hamada on their new Trio CD release as well as to the entire Blacksmith Brother Music staff for their tireless efforts.

The CD can now be purchased on armennalbandian.com-just visit the SHOP link to purchase.

As mentioned before, the CD will available for purchase for the first time tonight at the Fresno Art Museum. Doors open at 6:30, the concert is scheduled for 7pm.

The interview with Armen and Kevin Hill that appeared on the KFSR 90.7 program Morning Jazz w/ Joe Moore will soon be available for listeing on our press page.

Follow the below link to see Armen's entry in allaboutjazz.com on March 30th, 2006 NEWS.

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=9386

"All About Jazz is to jazz on the Internet what Miles Davis was to moody bastards with trumpets." ~ Genius Guide to Jazz, November 2005 ...

1 Day to Go


Tonight:

Armen, Kevin and even possibly Brian will be guests on the 90.7 KFSR program: Mr. Leonard's Jazz Suite starting at 9:30pm. Listen to hear more tracks from the new CD.

First, thank you all for your kind emails. We hope to see you all at Armen's CD release concert this friday.

Starting next week, Blacksmith Brother Music T-shirts will be available for purchase featuring the record label's logo.

We hope the following answers a few reoccuring questions about the label.


Blacksmith Brother Music FAQ

Is Blacksmith Brother Music Armen's record label?

Yes. It is privately run by Armen Nalbandian and his management team. Armen will function as Artistic Director of the label.

What else does Blacksmith Brother Music plan to release?

The next recording is a solo piano CD Armen will record in April in addition to a live Armen Nalbandian Trio CD in the works. Offical press release with more information will be released in eary April.

Will Blacksmith Brother Music record/sign any other musicians than Armen?

As the label grows, Armen is very interested in adding musicians to the labels roster.

Will the music Armen composes for Rhythms of Art be released?

Armen is very interested in doing so in an affordable series. Nothing has been planned yet.

Where can I send a submission to BBM?

Armen Nalbandian
c/o Fresno Art Museum
2233 N First St.
Fresno, CA 93703

Check out the new mp3 player on the music page.

Also...

Coming soon is a updated look for armennalbandian.com

and

alternate takes of tracks from Armen

and

bonus video footage.

3 Days until Armen is released!

*Armen will be featured again in the Fresno Bee this friday March 31st, with a CD review written by Mike Osegueda in addition to press in an insert about the April 27th Gorky-inspired concert of Armenian music.

*The trio is currently negotiating a radio appearnace in which they will perform live on the radio airwaves. Stay connected for further detais.

The media blitz for Armen continues. Today Armen appeared on Fox 26 KMPH's morning program, GREAT DAY. In addition to playing three compositions (His original Glow Box, Do You Know What It Means {to Miss New Orleans}, and Autumn Leaves), in addition to snippets of Prince's If I Was Your Girlfriend, Armen appeared on three interview segments with radio personalities: Kopi Sotiropulos and Kye Martin. If you missed them: not to worry, armennalbandian.com will have them archived in our press section soon!

THIS JUST IN!

Mr. Leonard, host of 90.7 KFSR's "Mr. Leonard's Jazz Suite" and "Rhythms in Jazz," on KFCF 88.1 FM has written a review on the NEW CD Armen. For more on Mr. Leonard visit http://www.csufresno.edu/kfsr/Jazzleonard.html The review appears below.

“Armen” **** (FOUR STARS)


From the influences of Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, Tommy Flanagan to Kenny Barron, chalk one up for the “NO”! The Valley’s Finest! Fresno hits home with a stellar jazz recording by one of its own--pianist, composer and musical director Armen Nalbandian and his debut recording entitled “Armen.” Armen Nalbandian, musical director for the Fresno Art Museum and originator of The Rhythms of Art Jazz Concert Series, is now taking his music from the stage of the Bonner Auditorium to making jazz recordings on a world stage.

Fresno makes its mark again with top-notch jazz music in the Valley. Let it be known jazz is here to stay with three of its finest jazz artists on the brand new recording “Armen”! The trio consists of Kevin Hill on bass, Brian Hamada—drums and leader, Armen Nalbandian, on piano. The CD opens up with a Thelonious Monk composition titled, “OSKA T,” a swinging rhythm with some beautiful chord changes to set a melodic swinging tone to the CD. Armen plays exceptionally, but it’s his composing and arrangements that are most impressive. Armen brings a colorful rhythmic balance to the music giving the listener a taste of everything from the blues, swing, hard-bop and some lovely ballads. One of my favorite compositions on this CD is track 2 “Camouflage,” one of four originals, very colorful. Imagine being camouflaged with all the warm colorful leaves of fall. “Comes Love” is another tune that stands out with the incomparable Kevin Hill creating magic with his lyrical bass solo. On “He Loves, She Loves,” a Gershwin composition, Armen displays an endearing touch on the keys. “December Song,” another original, showcases the main ingredient to any rhythm section with Brian Hamada keeping the music alive and moving throughout the recording with his prolific rhythms and impeccable timing. This straight-ahead tune pretty much concludes an exceptional recording with a high level of jazz musicianship. We should be so proud! Enjoy!

Peace & “Mo Jazz,” mrleonard85@hotmail.com
Mr. Leonard of: Mr. Leonard’s “Jazz Suite”

The trio will appear on Mr. Leonard's Jazz Suite this Thursday March 30th at 10pm for an interview and to promote the new CD. Don't miss this opportunity to hear selections from the CD.

*Check out the Friday March 24th edition of the Fresno Bee's LIFE section for a feature on Jazz in Fresno with mentions Armen and the CD release. The article will also be posted on the Press section soon!

*This monday Armen will appear and perform on KMPH FOX 26 Morning Show to promote the upcoming CD release.

*On Friday March 31st, Armen will appear and be interviewed on Morning Jazz w/ Joe Moore from 9am-noon.

*March 31st's Fresno Bee will also have information the April Events of the Fresno Armenian Community included mention of Armen's April 27th Rhythms of Art Concert dedicated to the work of Armenian artist Arshile Gorky.

Don't miss Armen, Kevin, and Brian at Veni Vidi Vici this Friday. They start their set at 11pm. They will be performing songs from the new CD Armen in addition to new songs by Armen. Don't miss this highly anticipated gig!

For the past week 90.7 KFSR has been spinning the new record Armen, with heavy airply Armen's version of both Thelonious Monk's Oska T and the standard Comes Love . make sure you keep listening to all the programming on the station for more sneak peaks into the new recording to be released March 31st, 2006.. For more information on KFSR please visit kfsr.org.

Armen has confirmed that he will indeed be composing all original music for Artist's Repertory Theatre production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. He will function as the production's Musical Director. Performances of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will be April 27, 28, 29 and May 4, 5, 6. For more information please visit http://www.myspace.com/artfresno.

Keep logged in to armennalbandian.com for more information on the CD Armen. Coming soon will be a CD page with track listing, sound samples, pictures, quotes and liner notes by Joe Moore from KFSR Morning Jazz and Jazz Portraits. The liner will also be available in PDF format for easy printing.

Guitarist Mike Dana will join Jimmy Emerzian, David Aus and Joe Lewis as composers that will be featurted on the May 14th Mother's Day Concert at the Fresno Art Museum. All proceeds from the concert will be donated for breast cancer research.

The CD release of Armen will be released by Armen Nalbandian's record label Blacksmith Brother Music. It will be the first in the label's "paperback series", which is comparable to the Greenleaf Music Paperback series. The Blacksmith Brother Music Paperback Series is an attempt to offer music at affordable prices. The CD will retail for $10.

The trio has added a date at the end of March. Hear more from the new album. Join us for another great night at Veni Vedi Vici’s on Friday, March 24th at 11PM.

Come check out the Armen Nalbandian Trio at Veni Vedi Vici's in the Tower District. Enjoy the late night hang and get a chance to hear tunes from their upcoming album to be released April 1st. The downbeat's at 11PM, don't miss it!

The following review was emailed to armennalbandian.com from California State University Fresno student Carrie Lynn Oswalt.



Dear Mr. Nalbandian,

I attended both of your shows this past weekend and I must say I was very impressed. I was so impressed with your musical offerings; I decided to email you the review of the concerts I wrote for class
Hopefully, you can post it somewhere on your website so your fans that missed the shows can know more about them. Keep up the good work Armen.

Carrie



Concert #1 2/23/2006 at the Bonner Auditorium at the Fresno Art Museum

On February 23rd, 2006 I attended my first jazz concert. It was the Rhythms of Art concert at the Fresno Art Museum. At 7pm, Armen Nalbandian took the stage dressed very sharply in a gray suit and was obvious immediately how comfortable, Nalbandian is onstage. I have never attended a jazz concert, so this was a unique experience for me. Just to imagine Armen writing all that music in a month and all his great musicians being able to play and improvise like that is amazing.

The concert began with a trio consisting of Armen on the piano, Kevin Hall on bass and Gary Newmark on the drum set. There seemed to be a great deal of telepathy between the three of them. Occasionally, a smile would creep upon Armen’s face and he would occasionally moan and yell to express his delight to his band mates musical efforts. It is so fun to see the musicians entertain themselves this way. It makes it real fun to be in the audience. After 3 trio songs (the third being a very lovely “country ballad” as described by Armen named Peaceful) the trio began to add members.

Joe Louis joined the trio for “A False Sense of Security” which was like 15 songs in one. I’m not sure how to describe exactly what I heard, but I have never heard anything like it before. Mr. Lewis’ trumpet playing was pretty good, however he seemed to be the only musician that looked like he was not having fun throughout the concert. The band sounded great though. Fun song!

After the intermission, Armen had Ava Scow join the trio, and they played two of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard. Ava, an 18-year old mandolin player was phenomenal. Her musical connection with Armen and the trio was breathtaking.

City college teacher, Mike Dana joined the trio for the final quartet of the evening and played two songs, whose titles I don’t remember (sorry). The first song was a little confusing (possibly because I am a novice jazz listener), but the second song was phenomenal. As a soloist, it seemed like Armen was holding back his skills a little throughout the concert and just let them loose on this song. All of the solos were great and Mr. Dana was wonderful. It was a very high-energy tune. The concert ended with a song for KFSR station’s manager Joe Moore, to whom Armen presented an award earlier in the evening.

After the concert, while some of the musicians hurried off and left the hall, Armen made himself available to everyone who wanted to speak with him. It took me about 15 minutes before I got my chance but when I did he was very kind and warm without any arrogance. A perfect gentleman. I wanted to ask him many questions but just decided to find out when he played next. I couldn’t wait to see him play again. I called a few girlfriends and we went to see Armen at Veni Vidi Vici the next night.


Concert #2 2/24/06 @ Veni Vidi Vici Restaurant in the Tower District, Fresno, CA

Veni Vidi Vici, is a small gourmet restaurant and bar in the Tower District and my girlfriends and I arrived at about 10:45 for the 11pm jazz gig. Armen arrived, dressed casually in jeans and buttoned shirt, and set up his keyboard and equipment very quickly, shook and with a few people, and disappeared.

At about 11pm, things got weird. A longhaired weirdo began talking craziness in the microphone (a possible opening act), as he ranted for a little under 2 hour time probably more than 50 people walked out. Where’s Armen?

This poet guy finishes the door swings open and Kevin Hill (he played with Armen at the Rhythms of Art concert the night before) and another man entered the restaurant and began setting up. At about 10 minutes to 1am, Armen showed up and sat behind the keyboard and the band played the most amazing, funky music I have ever heard.

They played a groove for about an hour without stopping. The band was so intense and soooooo funky. After about 40 minutes, a saxophone player sat in and the band continued their intensity. The band kept grooving and climaxed into the Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” groove. While they played, the majority of the audience was at their feet dancing. I had never seen an audience respond to music like this.

With Armen and the guys playing, and the people dancing it became a beautiful atmosphere, almost spiritual, and I am sure that everyone there would agree.

So, I have now seen Armen Nalbandian in concert twice in 2 days and I am convinced that I will be in attendance at every concert in future as well. I would also recommend every reader of this review to join me at the Armen Nalbandian concerts.

I have never liked jazz, but now am a big fan. With musicians as talented and charismatic as Armen Nalbandian I am sure that jazz will always be in good hands and earn many new fans.

At the last Rhythms of Art concert Armen asked of the audience to submit nominations for next season's Jazz Master concerts, with the top 4 artists being highlighted at a concert next year.

The winners were:

Miles Davis

John Coltrane

Louis Armstrong

Bill Evans & Thelonious Monk (tie)