Tigran Hamasyan

Tigran Hamasyan (born July 17, 1987) is an Armenian jazz pianist. He plays mostly original compositions, which are strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition, often using its scales and modalities. In addition to Tigran's folk influence, he is much influenced by American jazz tradition and to some extent, as on his album Red Hail, by progressive rock. His most recent album, entitled A Fable, which is a solo album, is most strongly influenced by Armenian folk music. Even on his most overt jazz compositions and renditions of well-known jazz pieces, his improvisations often contain embellishments based on scales from Middle Eastern/South Western Asian traditions.

Awards

 * 2002: 3rd Prize Concours International de Piano-Jazz Martial Solal (Paris).
 * 2003: 1st Prize Jazz à Juan Révélations in the jazz instrumental category.
 * 2003: 1st Prize Prix de la Critique et du Public, Concours de Piano du Montreux Jazz Festival''.
 * 2005: 3rd Prize Concours de Piano-Jazz de Moscou.
 * 2005: 1st Prize 8ème Concours de Solistes de Jazz de Monaco.
 * 2006: 1st Prize Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
 * 2006: 2nd Prize Concours International de Piano-Jazz Martial Solal.

Discography
As leader As sideman
 * World Passion (2006) Nocturne
 * New Era (2007) Plus Loin Music
 * Arrata Rebirth: Red Hail (2009) Plus Loin Music
 * A Fable (2011) Verve
 * EP No. 1 (2011) Released exclusively on vinyl and digital download
 * Abu Nawas Rhapsody (2010) Jazzland Records, with Dhafer Youssef
 * Liberetto (2012) The Act Company, with Lars Danielsson