Public Programs And Events

ARMEN DONELIAN: Generations
A celebration of four decades on the global jazz scene and thirty years at New School Jazz. 

The Jazz Presents Series is made possible by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts 

On April 19th, pianist Armen Donelian will feature his distinctive compositions. Donelian's quartet will be headlined by stellar guitarist Vic Juris (New School Faculty). Rounding out this group are Berklee College of Music professor of bass David Clark and drummer/producer George Schuller, Donelian’s experienced rhythm section for the past twelve years. Donelian will open the concert by leading a group of talented New School students Braden Smith (tenor saxophone), Evan Wright (guitar), Aron Caceres (bass) and David Jimenez (drums) who are certain to be heard from in the coming years. Donelian will also include a few solo piano arrangements of music by Sayat-Nova, 18th Century Armenian troubadour.

Since his 1975 recording debut as a member of MONGO SANTAMARIA's vibrant Afro-Cuban Jazz Octet (including the hit Mambo Mongo and the Grammy-nominated album Sofrito with three of his compositions), pianist Armen Donelian has enjoyed an internationally celebrated career in twenty-three countries as a pianist, composer, producer, educator and author.

Donelian has been called “A pianist with a crystalline touch” (New York Times) and “A poetic composer” (Montreal Gazette). Philadelphia Weekly notes: "Donelian’s got a pensive, lyrical streak a mile wide, but don’t underestimate his ability to swing hard and throw punches.” Donelian's music contains Classical, Jazz and Armenian elements blended in such a way that “One can tell it’s a master’s work” (Metronome). His ruminative piece “Stargazer" published in the New Real Book Vol. 2 is “An epic composition that deserves to become a standard” (Cadence). Donelian’s renditions of Armenian folks songs are noted for their “Countless exquisite moments” (Downbeat).

Armen Donelian is a Fulbright Senior Scholar noted for his work in Armenia, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland and Greece, and the author of Training the Ear Vol. 1 & 2 and Whole Notes, all published by Advance Music and read globally. Donelian was invited by founding director ARNIE LAWRENCE to join the New School Jazz faculty in 1986, and is a frequent international clinician.