With pianist/composer Tigran Hamasyan, potent jazz improvisation fuses with the rich folkloric heritage of Armenia. Winner of the top piano award at the 2013 Montreux Jazz Festival and the grand prize at the prestigious 2006 Thelonious Monk Jazz Piano Competition, “he’s the hottest pianist in jazz, and he likes to mix things up, whether it’s bebop, thrash metal, or dubstep. But his heart is in the folk music of his native land, Armenia” (The Guardian, London). The legendary Herbie Hancock extolled, “A-may-zing! Now, Tigran, you are my teacher!” In this concert Tigran Hamasyan will collaborate with Marc Karapetian, electric bass, and Arthur Hnatek, drums.

Co-sponsored with the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program and the Fresno State Jazz Studies Department.