YULIA MUSAYELYAN QUARTET
The Jazz Quartet performs a combination of original compositions and arrangements, using folk rhythms from Argentina, Armenia, and other cultures, mixed with modern jazz. The group members’ diverse heritage allows for a constant evolution of styles and generates new sounds from the combination of original melodies, jazz improvisation, extended techniques, and group interaction.
Our debut album, "Caminos", is available on CDbaby.com, itunes, and amazon.com. "Caminos" features Vardan Ovsepian, piano; Fernando Huergo, bass; and Franco Pinna, drums.
FLUTE & VIBRAPHONE (MalletKAT) DUO
This is a new duo collaboration with vibraphonist/composer Ludmila Stefanikova. Please check out the "Listen" section for new duo tracks. Check out her music at www.ludmilastefanik.com
MUZA ENSEMBLE
Muza Ensemble is a duo collaboration with cellist Zoya Shereshkova. We try to find new ways of playing chamber music from the baroque, classical, and romantic periods, with a few ventures into folk and modern music. The group also performs as a trio with special guests on violin, piano, or clarinet.
NEW MUSIC COLLECTIVE
This project is dedicated to the performance and promotion of new chamber music. It is a collaboration with different instrumentalists in the Boston Area to perform 20th and 21st century chamber music, focusing on original compositions, and structured group improvisation.
ARMENIA PROJECT ENSEMBLE
The Armenia Project idea evolved from the exploration of my Armenian heritage. I began learning the language and investigating traditional music and instruments. When I first heard the sound of Armenian folk music, I found to my surprise that this spirit was also coming from within; I began to transcribe folk tunes and playing them on the flute, trying to imitate its rich variety of colors, ranging from a tiny bird to a human cry. The Armenian Project Ensemble was first conceived with the purpose to examine and perform Armenian Traditional music on western classical instruments, mimicking the folk timbres in order to convey a most-accurate representation of the original sound. The instrumentation included flute, alto flute, piccolo, and clarinet, from the wind family, as well as piano, cajon, oceandrum, and guitar colors. Drawing on my classical and jazz backgrounds, I then expanded my arrangements to include improvisatory sections and allow for a new combination genre which integrates the Armenian folk elements into a truly international music. The inspiration for the ensemble’s musical journey came from the highly spiritual sound of Armenian folklore. While deeply rooted in traditional playing, the ensemble’s original arrangements venture into other styles and influences.
An audio sample of the ensemble is in the 'listen' section; below are program notes for the selection:
Erzerum Dances represent a rich tradition of intricate group dances in Erzerum, one of the oldest towns in Western Armenia (now Eastern Turkey). Originally the melody is performed on a solo duduk, a double reed apricot flute famous for its velvety melancholy sound. There is also a second "dam" duduk, which holds a drone note. The frame drum used to accompany this dance is called a d'hol. In this arrangement, the alto flute and clarinet take turns playing the solo duduk and dam-duduk. The d'hol sound is played on ocean drum and cajon. The piano provides a harmonic basis for the composition, and expands on the traditional timbres by mimicking the ud, a short-necked fretless lute. The dances are arranged in two sections: a slower 6/8 meditation followed by an upbeat dance featuring alternating sections in 9/8 and 5/8, characteristic to the region of Erzerum.
Please check back often for upcoming performances of this project ensemble. Thank you.
Yulia Musayelyan