Tigran Hamasyan is impossible to pin down. He’s a jazz pianist and composer and so much more. “Punk jazz” and “metal” are some of the ways Hamasyan describes his own work, but also woven into his compositions is the culture of Armenia as well as nostalgia for his upbringing there. Los Angeles is also pivotal in his musical journey, as Hamasyan lived and studied here for six years. Any way you put it, Hamasyan’s originality is beloved here and around the world.
When we engaged Hamasyan for his debut Soraya concert, his new album, Manifeste, was not yet complete. Recently released to great acclaim, Hamasyan is ready to bring the ambitious album to Los Angeles for the first time on March 7 at The Soraya. In this interview he shares some of the ideas in Manifeste, which include how growing up during wartime influenced the new compositions, and why a portion of the album is dedicated to the resiliency of children everywhere.
Gratefully,
