“Shadow Theater” is the latest release by Tigran Hamasyan, one of the leading figures on the Armenian jazz scene and one of the most recognized pianists and composers in the world today. His style of blending traditions and modern music is a landmark on all of his albums, including this one. You can hear Armenian folk music beautifully integrated with contemporary beats and jazz harmonies, sounding classical and avant-garde at the same time. No wonder he was noticed and encouraged by such greats like Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, early in his professional career.
The mix of the modern and the old carries a deeper meaning that pervades as a motif on this album. It is the contrast of the technological progress and humanism, which somehow loses its values in the shadow of technology. Tigran himself says: “The songs represent a critique of our world and humans as they are now, which is more materialistic and less spiritual, less humble and thankful, more ignorant and egotistically ‘happy,’ a lot of knowledge, but about what values?” Trying to bring to peace the present and the past, Tigran manages to deliver an exciting and dynamic approach to ancient melodies and exotic scales, making it sound natural and easy. But it is never easy to re-imagine your great-grand parent’s music and bring it to the new generations of listeners.
Tigran was born in Armenia and spent a great deal of his life there, studying traditional music as well as classical music, but also listening to the hard rock record collection of his parents. His albums are rich with influences and he shapes them together in his own unique musical voice. One can recognize diverse elements from a wide range of genres, including Bach, Jan Garbarek, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, but also dubstep, heavy metal and contemporary electronica… and there is always his master touch that blends these different styles into a compact musical form.
“Shadow Theater” is Tigran’s sixth studio album, released internationally in 2015 and to be released in the U.S.A. in February 2016. This is a must-listen for all lovers of modern jazz and contemporary music in general.
Tigran Hamasyan "Shadow Theater"
