Tigran Hamasyan's Nonesuch Records Debut, "Mockroot," Out Now

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan's Nonesuch Records debut, Mockroot, is out now, featuring new tracks written by Hamasyan, as well as his arrangements of traditional Armenian songs. Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, electronica, poetry, and more. "There are many brilliant and perfectly finished young jazz pianists around," says the Telegraph, "but Hamasyan stands out because he has something important and urgent to say." "You will find it difficult if not impossible to get this disc out of your machine for quite a while," raves the Buffalo News. "Don’t count on getting it out of your head for a long while either." Hamasyan and his trio are currently on tour in the US.

Copy

Pianist Tigran Hamasyan's Nonesuch Records debut, Mockroot, is out now. Mockroot features Hamasyan on piano, voice, keyboards, synths and sound effects, Sam Minaie on electric bass, and Arthur Hnatek on drums and live electronics. The album comprises new tracks written by Hamasyan, as well as his arrangements of traditional Armenian songs, "Kars 1" and "Kars 2 (Wounds of the Centuries)." Watch a teaser video below. The album is available at your local music shop, on iTunes, Amazon, and in the Nonesuch Store, where orders include a download of the complete album at checkout and the HD digital album is also available to purchase. Hamasyan and his trio kicked off a US tour in Chicago over the weekend, making stops in Oakland, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Cambridge, New York, and College Park through the end of the month; for details, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

"You can fall in love with this disc if you’re not careful," raves Buffalo News music critic Jeff Simon. "You will find it difficult if not impossible to get this disc out of your machine for quite a while. Don’t count on getting it out of your head for a long while either."

Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Tigran Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, electronica, poetry, and more. In the past decade, with the release of four critically acclaimed albums and an unceasing touring schedule, he has built up a dedicated international following, as well as accolades from the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau. In the words of the Guardian, Hamasyan "is guided by one of [mentor and fan Herbie Hancock's] most enduring lessons: it's possible to be a multi-stylistic jazz virtuoso and a groove-powered hitmaker simultaneously and hugely enjoy all of it." The Times said of his most recent release, 2013’s Shadow Theater, "Armenian folk, electronic loops, heavenly voices and indie rock energy vie with Hamasyan’s rippling piano to create a dramatic, deeply melodic music unlike anything else you’ll hear this year." In a review of a Los Angeles concert earlier this year, LA Weekly proclaimed, "Shadow Theater’s intricate blend of timbres, rhythmic complexity, and melodic references to his Armenian heritage were clearly a hit for this crowd. At the same time, the playful deployment of electronics, loops, and unstoppable dance grooves would have fit in perfectly at Coachella."

Hamasyan was born in Armenia in 1987, before relocating with his family to Los Angeles in 2003. He currently resides in Erevan, Armenia. He began playing piano at the age of three, and started performing in festivals and competitions when he was 11 years old, winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s piano competition in 2003. He released his debut album, World Passion, at the age of 18 in 2006. That same year he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Subsequent albums include New Era (2008), Red Hail (2009), and A Fable (2011), for which he was awarded a Victoires de la Musique (the equivalent of a Grammy Award in France). Most recently he won the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music in 2013.

featuredimage
Tigran Hamasyan: "Mockroot" [cover]
  • Tuesday, February 17, 2015
    Tigran Hamasyan's Nonesuch Records Debut, "Mockroot," Out Now

    Pianist Tigran Hamasyan's Nonesuch Records debut, Mockroot, is out now. Mockroot features Hamasyan on piano, voice, keyboards, synths and sound effects, Sam Minaie on electric bass, and Arthur Hnatek on drums and live electronics. The album comprises new tracks written by Hamasyan, as well as his arrangements of traditional Armenian songs, "Kars 1" and "Kars 2 (Wounds of the Centuries)." Watch a teaser video below. The album is available at your local music shop, on iTunes, Amazon, and in the Nonesuch Store, where orders include a download of the complete album at checkout and the HD digital album is also available to purchase. Hamasyan and his trio kicked off a US tour in Chicago over the weekend, making stops in Oakland, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Cambridge, New York, and College Park through the end of the month; for details, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    "You can fall in love with this disc if you’re not careful," raves Buffalo News music critic Jeff Simon. "You will find it difficult if not impossible to get this disc out of your machine for quite a while. Don’t count on getting it out of your head for a long while either."

    Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Tigran Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, electronica, poetry, and more. In the past decade, with the release of four critically acclaimed albums and an unceasing touring schedule, he has built up a dedicated international following, as well as accolades from the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau. In the words of the Guardian, Hamasyan "is guided by one of [mentor and fan Herbie Hancock's] most enduring lessons: it's possible to be a multi-stylistic jazz virtuoso and a groove-powered hitmaker simultaneously and hugely enjoy all of it." The Times said of his most recent release, 2013’s Shadow Theater, "Armenian folk, electronic loops, heavenly voices and indie rock energy vie with Hamasyan’s rippling piano to create a dramatic, deeply melodic music unlike anything else you’ll hear this year." In a review of a Los Angeles concert earlier this year, LA Weekly proclaimed, "Shadow Theater’s intricate blend of timbres, rhythmic complexity, and melodic references to his Armenian heritage were clearly a hit for this crowd. At the same time, the playful deployment of electronics, loops, and unstoppable dance grooves would have fit in perfectly at Coachella."

    Hamasyan was born in Armenia in 1987, before relocating with his family to Los Angeles in 2003. He currently resides in Erevan, Armenia. He began playing piano at the age of three, and started performing in festivals and competitions when he was 11 years old, winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s piano competition in 2003. He released his debut album, World Passion, at the age of 18 in 2006. That same year he won the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Subsequent albums include New Era (2008), Red Hail (2009), and A Fable (2011), for which he was awarded a Victoires de la Musique (the equivalent of a Grammy Award in France). Most recently he won the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music in 2013.

    Journal Articles:Album ReleaseArtist News

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, October 25, 2024
    Friday, October 25, 2024

    The original score for Ken Burns’s new two-part documentary, LEONARDO da VINCI, with new compositions by Caroline Shaw, is out now; the documentary airs on November 18 and 19 at 8pm ET on PBS. The album features performances by the composer’s longtime collaborators Attacca Quartet, Sō Percussion, and Roomful of Teeth as well as John Patitucci. Shaw wrote and recorded new music for LEONARDO da VINCI, marking the first time a Ken Burns film has featured an entirely original score. Also out today is a music video for the album track "The Mona Lisa," which can be seen here.

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist NewsTelevisionVideo
  • Friday, October 18, 2024
    Friday, October 18, 2024

    Jeremy Denk's album Ives Denk is out now. Released in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ives' birth this Saturday, it features the composer's four violin sonatas, performed with violinist Stefan Jackiw, as well as remastered versions of his Sonatas No. 1 and 2 for piano, from Denk's debut recording, Jeremy Denk Plays Ives. "Mr. Denk's playing exuded affinity for Ives and vivid imagination," the New York Times says. "Mr. Jackiw, deftly balancing fervor and elegance, beautiful tone and earthy colorings, proved a comparably inspired Ivesian." Denk writes of Ives' music in the Times: "Its animating idea is generous: A restless search to find more in America than we thought, or even hoped, to find ... His best advice—advice we could all use—is to open your ears."

    Journal Topics: Album ReleaseArtist News