Articles
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"from swinging piano melodies to moody atmospheric prepared rhodes, Armen brings a myriad of sounds for the listeners delight"
"Extemely tuneful and organic music with a real group synergy, plus a wonderful negotiation between accessibility and a true spirit of adventure. Highly recommended!"
"Armen Nalbanian's new trio release is a testament to what is happening in contemporary jazz today. So often critics of new jazz scoff at music that smacks of a player's influences and dismiss this new music as merely referential and unoriginal. This attitude misses the point of art. New music and the musicians that create it, irrespective of style, are always an aggregate of what they absorb, a synthesis of their study and experience, and are in conversation with the past in order to find a new future. Nalbanian's new recording is that synthesis and conversation. A beautiful combination of hard bob, free improvisation, and experimentation, Nalbanian's new compositions (and the band that he has put together to realize them) are at once provocative, referential, and curiously "out" without leaving the lay listener a way in."
"After hearing Armen Nalbandian's new CD, I can say that Armen has found a personal voice in expressing a music that is so clearly a part of his soul. He brings to his improvisations and organization to his arrangements. He has a touch and playfulness reminiscent of Thelonious Monk , and a feeling of swing that is natural and easy."
"Armen Nalbandian is a truly great modern musician with an expansive understanding of the jazz tradition and then some. He has a completely open mind and big open ears. His work on prepared fender rhodes is a revelation to someone like me who grew up hearing that instrument in the way it was used in the 70s. Armen can massage the jazz and can find the music and beauty in noise."
"What good fortune we have to experience Armen Nalbandian's immense talents. He is an extraordinary pianist and innovator, and the recent evening of poetry and jazz was amazing. His musical renditions of our poems were moving and heartfelt, rich and layered. I could have listened to him (and the wonderful ensemble) play all night. Spread the word. He is a treasure."
"We feel that this program is truly unique, not only in the valley, but in California, and perhaps the nation, bringing jazz and the visual arts together. Armen brings a tremendous respect for the music, and the artists involved to the program, and his compositions and performances, such as the piece Witness have been exceptional."
"Armen is not only making an impact in the world of jazz, he is establishing a relationship between music, art, and education, and enriching the living of valley residents."
"To see the art work and then hear the compositions that Armen has put together, inspired by the art, is an absolutely incredible experience. It is a kind of cutting edge blending of the visual and the aural that works magic. The first time I attended this, as Armen was playing the music, in my mind I SAW the art work...!!! It was uncanny. And it is done in a very first-class, quality way."
"I had the unique experience of having my art interpreted as the abstract sounds of jazz. I was deeply moved and enlivened to feel the composer's emotions responding to the same compelling source. The last concert of the season featured selections from the entire concert year and was delightful and impressive. The composer, Armen Nalbandian brings depth, range and vitality to his musical scores and his piano. His band includes the finest musicians in creating the most innovative sounds. His monthly concerts add significantly to our cultural life and with him, the Fresno Art Museum gives us another enlightened and insightful look at ourselves. Thank you."
"Armen Nalbandian has become Fresno's unofficial jazz ambassador."
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