Tigran Hamasyan is a young musician born 1987 in Armenia. In 2003, Tigran moved with his family to Los Angeles, California. He began playing piano at the age of 3. Since the age of 13, he has played in European festivals. His reputation has steadily grown with every performance.
He has won prestigious piano competitions, most notably, the 2006 Thelonious Monk jazz piano competition under supervision of Herbie Hancock. He has earned serious recognition with 4 albums and hundreds of concerts all around the world (Montreux, Montreal, North Sea, Juan Les Pins, Marciac, London Jazz Festival, Winter Festival in NY). Recently, Tigran was named the winner of the 2013 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music.
“A-may-zing! Now, Tigran, you are my teacher”- Herbie Hancock, on stage Festival Orleans Jazz
“A mature and great and rich and deep artist“ – Chick Corea, August 2011
“He plays piano like a raga, the next Keith Jarrett“ – Trilok Gurtu, Theatre Du Chatelet March 2011
“Tigran really grabbed me, in this really cool way“ – Brad Mehldau, NY Times 2011
His first album for Universal, recorded in Paris on solo piano, “A Fable”, was released in 2011. It sold impressively for an instrumental album with 30,000 units. It received acclaim throughout including winning a French Grammy award in 2011. Tigran’s rising stature in music garners notice globally wherever he has been able to be heard.
“Where so much contemporary jazz can be a dreary display of muscle memory, Tigran has found a way to keep improvisation fresh and lyrical. Other jazz musicians would be wise to take note.” – The Guardian
“Tigran stands out for his burning intensity” – The Telegraph
”Loving the Tigran album on Verve – a big talent…” – Gilles Peterson, live session
“With a firm yet delicate touch, Tigran lets the melody sing” – NPR
“Brilliant musician” – Later with Jools Holland
“His touch is sublime” – Downbeat
Tigran’s unique profile displays dazzling piano dexterity with an undeniably profound sense of composition. He’s equally at ease with jazz, classical music, Armenian popular repertoire, rock, heavy metal, or avant-garde.
US Tour Dates
3/01 @ The Royal Room – Seattle, WA
3/03 @ Michelle’s Piano – Portland, OR
3/05 @ Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA
3/08 @ Berklee Performance Center – Boston, MA
3/10 @ SubCulture – New York, NY
