Tigran Martikyan

About

Endowed with an uncanny ability to generate musical phrases at will, Tigran Martikyan’s improvised arrangements are often mistaken for planned and inscribed compositions, even encompassing multiple genres.  It is with this sort of originality and edge that Martikyan displays his virtuosity in performing jazz and classical music alike. Pianist, composer, arranger and instructor, Martikyan writes and performs jazz pieces in a wide range, from solos and duos to works for larger ensembles.  After years playing various instruments since the age of seven, Tigran today extends his repertory beyond his beloved jazz, composing classical pieces as well as music for motion pictures and choreographies.

Tigran Martikyan’s music has won awards and praises, including from the legendary Chick Corea who calls Martikyan’s music “intellectual” and the world-renowned jazz producer, George Avakian who describes Tigran as, “a pianist to be reckoned with – technique, taste, and fresh originality” Mr. Martikyan has given a number of concerts across the US and Europe, including his world premiere of “Piano Sextet” at Carnegie Hall in 2008, and at Monte Carlo in 2002. In 2001, the New York Post recognized Tigran as one of “New York’s most promising young jazz musicians,” while his music was being aired on the Jazz Discovery Showcase several times throughout the U.S., Middle East and Asia. Martikyan has been featured on Bloomberg Radio in New York, the Armenian radio hour in New Jersey, Voice of Armenian TV in New York, as well as various Armenian TV stations in Los Angeles and Armenia. His album Why was featured on the Regis & Kelly show in 2003. Tigran’s formal musical education spanned the ages of seven and 16 at the Tigran Chukhajian Music School of Armenia in his hometown of Yerevan.  At this early age, Tigran was a multi-instrumentalist, effortlessly playing the cello, accordion, and piano.  After immigrating to the United States, Tigran studied Jazz at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1998. He subsequently enrolled at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music in New York.  From 2001 to 2009, Tigran was the New York resident accompanist to “Wee Dance,” a children’s ballet institute founded and directed by Susannah Harris.

Tigran Martikyan juggles his time composing, providing private lessons to professionals and recreational beginners, and performing concerts in the U.S. and abroad. He is the founder and music director of the Martikyan Music Center, established in 2015. He also serves as organist and choir director at New Haven Missionary Baptist Church. Tigran is currently working on his new album entitled My Hometown Armenia and has just completed his solo piano album, A Trip to New York, recorded live at the Armenian Evangelical Church of New York.


Chick Corea – the legendary Jazz pianist described Tigran’s music as “Intellectual”

Dick Katz – who’s worked with greats from Benny Goodman to Buck Clayton says he likes the way Martikyan brings “ethnic features from his culture” into the usual jazz mix. Katz adds: “In this day and age of cookie-cutter students, I’ve found him to be refreshingly individual.”

Tigran Martikyan is the fastest-rising talent among his generation of Armenian-American jazz musicians. A brilliant graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, he is a pianist to be reckoned with – technique, taste, and fresh originality. George Avakian