CELEBRATED MUSICIANS TO PERFORM AT ANC-WR 2008 BANQUET
armradio.am
10.10.2008 10:35
Notable musicians Jivan Gasparyan Jr., Vik Momjian and Antranig
Kzirian will be performing at the Armenian National Committee-Western
Region’s annual banquet to be held on October 12, 2008 at the Ronald
Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The group will
perform Armenian traditional and classical music during the cocktail
hour and silent auction.
Gasparyan, from a young age, was inspired by Armenian traditional
folk melodies performed by his grandfather, legendary master duduk
player Djivan Gasparyan. He later studied music/piano, vocals, and
musical grammar at Yerevan Vocal School. At the same time he was also
learning the art of playing the duduk from his grandfather. Being a
promising student he worked hard to improve his performance, and a few
years later accompanied his grandfather at concerts in Los Angeles,
Moldavia, Poland, Moscow and other cities. Most recently, playing
a duet melody from the film "GLADIATOR", together with his famous
grandfather, he was the opening performer of the concert dedicated
to Nelson Mandella’s 90th Birthday celebration which took place in
Hide Park, London. Currently, performing with jazz and rock bands,
Gasparyan hopes to follow his grandfather’s professional virtuosity
in the performance of the duduk, and continue this traditional art
in his own unique way.
Vik Momjian is a master of the four, five, and six-string, fretted
and fretless electric basses. While his musical roots started on the
piano at age nine, Momjian turned to the guitar at age fourteen and
ultimately discovered his true voice through the electric bass at
age fifteen. Having studied with many significant musicians, three
of Vik’s most influential instructors were Jim Lacefield, Steve
Bailey, and John Pena. In addition, he has his own line of basses
and is endorsed by many notable companies. Over the last few years,
Vik has established himself as the first-call musician for many top
Middle Eastern and ethno-European artists. When he’s not touring the
world with these artists, he spends his days in town doing sessions,
teaching, and playing with Excursion. His soulful playing not only
brings enormous heart to the project, but it is an integral part of
the band’s sound and energy. He has a brilliant sense of groove and
is a unique improviser, with his incredible dexterity and slapping
techniques.
Antranig performs widely across the United States, Canada and
Europe on the oud, and has performed at festivals and concerts
internationally as a member of the Aravod Ensemble and the History
Project. Kzirian’s unique oud interpretation has taken him from
Philadelphia to New York, London, Montreal, Boston, Washington,
Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno and Charlotte among
numerous other destinations. Antranig’s command of the guitar and
saz has also garnered him much acclaim in music circles around
the country. Aside from his extensive touring schedule, Antranig
has recorded various works with the Aravod Ensemble, the History
Project and has participated in collaborations with other recording
artists as a composer, writer and experienced studio musician. When
not instructing guitar and oud to students to pass on Armenian
music and culture, Antranig ventures into fusion and world music
projects. Antranig has performed with Gor, Sonya Varoujan and various
other artists.
This year’s ANC-WR Banquet honorees include Vice Presidential Nominee
Senator Joseph Biden, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President
Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Honorary chairs of the
ANC-WR Banquet include Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich,
Ed Royce, Congresswoman Jackie Speier and several others.