About THE event

The Armenian State Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1938 and became one of the first jazz bands of the USSR. Currently, it’s one of the best orchestras in the world, famous for its bright musicians and rich repertoire. We are proud of our partnership with celebrity jazz musicians (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Arturo Sandoval, Adam Rapa, Chico Freeman, John Marshall, Jamie Davis, Sharon Clark, Michael Mayo, Ronald Baker, Igor Butman and others) and are open to cooperation with young gifted musicians and composers.

The Armenian State Jazz Orchestra has held over 6,000 concerts, made tours to dozens of countries worldwide and participated in the most famous international jazz festivals. Saxophonist, composer, orchestrator Armen Hyusnunts has been the bandleader of the orchestra since 2010.

Starting from 2024, the orchestra is led by saxophonist Davit Melkonyan.

The quartet leader, Artem Manukyan, settled on the professional jazz scene while still a cello student at the Yerevan State Conservatory. Since childhood, he has been interested in jazz, starting as a bassist in the children's jazz group "Pokr Jazz." Then he played in various jazz bands in Yerevan and finally got into the famous Armenian world music dream team, the Armenian Navy Band, which has toured all over Europe, led by GRAMMY-winning percussionist and singer Arto Tuncboyacyan. He also won the BBC-3 World Music Award and recorded 3 albums.

In 2008, he was selected by the American side to participate in the Summer School Program of the Boston Berklee College of Music. He has recorded soundtracks for the films "Hannibal", "Dear White People", "Cartel Land", "Zipper", "Central Intelligence", "Geostorm", "Birth of a Dragon", "Luke Cage". And in the Oscar-winning film "Green Book" he performs all the solo cello parts of the soundtrack.

Then Artem's life included the ethno-jazz-rock septet "Katuner", in which he won the "Usadba. Jazz" competition in Moscow. On both albums of the group, he performed as both a bassist and a cellist. In 2010, he moved to the United States, where he performed and recorded with many stars of rock, pop and jazz music - Daryl "DMC" McDaniels from the group Run-D.M.C., Latin Grammy-winning rock singer Draco Rosa, bandleader Sergio Mendez, drummer Peter Erskine, saxophonist Kamasi Washington, trumpeter Herb Albert, drummer Virgil Donati, pianist Tigran Hamasyan, singers Melody Gardot and Gretchen Parlato. The latter's album "Flor" (2022), in which Artem is a trio member, was nominated for a GRAMMY.

In 2016, Artem Manukyan was invited to participate in the New Direction Cello Festival.

Today, the musician has 3 solo albums - "Citizen", "Alone" and "Rap-etoire". If the first is electro-fusion, the second is solo cello, and the third is the embodiment of a youthful dream - hip-hop. In 2022, Artem Manukyan returned to his homeland and actively joined the city's musical life. He plays solo in various groups and currently leads his own quartet, Yerevan Calling. The ensemble performs exclusively original avant-garde fusion and funk compositions. The group's immediate plans include a musical and social project to organize regular concerts in Armenia aimed at popularizing jazz in the republic, drawing attention to the problems of public life and raising funds for the restoration of historical sites in the capital of Armenia.

In 2004 famous pianist Vahagn Hayrapetyan founded KATUNER band (CATS), the jazz music in Armenia took a different course and flow in its ways of expression. It was a revolution in the music industry, where international jazz managed to sound traditional and it got bold folk traits. The unique style of ethno/folk jazz formed by KATUNER became a leading point and a guide for many experienced and new bands that tried to use elements of folk music in their compositions. Today Armenian folk arrangements seem to be quite a natural phenomenon in all music styles, and especially in jazz. This is something that has become a reality due to the essential changes KATUNER band has brought both in creating the new sound of Armenian ethno/folk jazz, and in forming a perfect audience for it. During all these years, many musicians have performed in the band, enriching and completing the band’s evolving story and style with their contribution. KATUNER has a rich concert history including international festivals and prestigious stages. After a long break, the group is back and ready to perform with new, young and promising musicians.

Gor, publicly known as “gorgeouz beats”, is a music producer, composer and an artist performing as a DJ. Among existing releases he made hip-hop / trip-hop beats using samples exclusively only from old Armenian recordings or composed by himself and a few remixes of Armenian songs in house genre. Currently he’s making a new 1 hour set in Jazz-house genre, which he will play on the 5th of October for the first time during “The Jazz Tribute”.

Yerevan, Armenia-based Producer/Dj , Co-Founder of the first Armenian Record Store. He grew up listening to Miles Davis, Prince, Stevie Wonder. Vahagn M. became known for his unique style and Dj sets, in which he mixes “classics and obscurities”, from funk, disco, jazz, soul and house music.

Hayk Petrosyan is an Armenian actor, comedian, TV host, and improv artist, known for his dynamic presence and sharp humor. He has gained widespread recognition through his participation in numerous TV shows, comedy performances, and stage productions, becoming one of the prominent figures in Armenian entertainment.

Aside from his work in comedy, Petrosyan is also involved in cultural projects, contributing to the development of Armenian arts and culture. His versatile talent allows him to engage audiences both on screen and in live performances, making him a beloved figure in Armenian show business.

DJ Mystic Echo is a mysterious figure in the world of ambient and chillout music. Hailing from a remote mountain village, Mystic Echo has a deep connection with nature, which is reflected in her soothing, atmospheric soundscapes. Her sets are like a sonic meditation, transporting listeners to serene and mystical realms. With a penchant for blending indigenous instruments and electronic elements, Mystic Echo creates an otherworldly musical experience that soothes the soul.