ARMENIAN SPIRIT draws on the resources of Armenian folklore, which is often described as melancholic. In combination with modern jazz stylings and elements of classical music, works are created that could be described as “avant-garde folk jazz”. In autumn ARMENIAN SPIRIT released a third album.
Karen Asatrian’s arrangements are a jazzy journey into the world of oriental melody and occidental harmony. The “Armenian Spirits” are accompanied by a playful ensemble whose members originate from Armenia, Iraq, Croatia and Austria. In autumn of 2018 Asatrian released his third CD “Noor” (Skylark / Naxos). This Armenian word stands for the pomegranate and symbolizes fertility in Armenian mythology. Right beside Karen Asatrian as composer and pianist, is Rita Movsesian feeling right at home with her powerful voice in oriental as well as western scales. These two form the centre of Armenian Spirit.
KAREN ASATRIA & RITA MOVSESIAN
Karen Asatrian, born in 1972 in Yerevan/Armenia, received his first training in classical violin, followed by studies (violin, piano and composition) at the Komitas State Conservatory in Yerevan, and graduated in 1999 with a jazz piano diploma from Prof. Dr. Harry Neuwirth in Klagenfurt. Important points in his musical career include the founding of the group Brahm ́s Project (jazz trio with chamber orchestra), appearances at Three Nights of Jazz, Jazzfestival Saalfelden, Jazz Fest Wien, Wiesen, Sziget Festival in Budapest as well as appearances on radio and TV with various jazz formations in Austria, Korea, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Slovenia, Armenia, etc.
Rita Movsesian had already dedicated herself to music back in Baghdad (Iraq), where she was born and raised. Already then her focus was on the traditions of Armenian and Arabic music. Even after her move to Austria (Salzburg), music remained the centre of her life for the Diaspora-Armenian. Rita Movsesians voice is as powerful as it is sensitive and rich in nuances, allowing old Arabic singing traditions to resound in a modern garb. In addition, Sephardic, Sufi, Roma, Flamenco and Balkan music can be found in her repertoire: world music at its best. But the music of Armenia, home of her ancestors, from where they were expelled more than a hundred years ago and finally found refuge in Iraq, is the matter closest to her heart. The multicultural and multilingual socialization is therefore also reflected in her musical work.
In Armenian Spirit the two are supported by top-class musicians: Juan Carlos Sungulian has been enriching the jazz scene in Graz for decades as a guitarist and Oud player. Emmanuel Hovhannisyan provides the characteristic Armenian tone with his apricot wood flute Duduk, which is decisively influenced by none other than Wolfgang Puschnig, a long-time companion of Asatrian. Responsible for the “drive” are Reinhardt Winkler on the drums and Ante Jurinovic on the bass.
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Armenian Spirit