Hal Masonberg Cellist Artyom Manukyan’s electro-jazz quartet will be streamed by the Armenian Museum of America in Watertown for its Online Concert on Feb. 27.
The following information comes from the Armenian Museum of America:
The Armenian Museum of America recently announced its Ninth Online Concert featuring an exclusive performance by the Artyom Manukyan Quartet. This Armenia-based electro-jazz ensemble features Arman Mnatsakanyan (drums), Arman Peshtmaljyan (keyboards), Karen Mamikonyan (keyboards), and Artyom Manukyan (cello). The concert will be shown online on Sunday, Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST and 10:00 p.m. in Yerevan).
Artyom Manukyan made his name as a musician in Armenia and traveled the world as the youngest member of the BBC World Music Award-winning Armenian Navy Band. He has performed internationally with the renowned world music band Night Ark. After the success of his debut album “Citizen,” Artyom performed with artists including rapper Everlast, Kamasi Washington, Melody Gardot, Flying Lotus, and Tigran Hamasyan.
Artyom has shown that the cello can be played in classical music, rock, and as the lead instrument in jazz. His virtuosity is equaled by his creativity and willingness to stretch himself with adventurous improvisations. His second solo album, “Alone,” was released in 2019. In between gigs with different bands, the multi-talented artist has even nurtured another musical passion, hip hop.
“Our Online Concert series has been a great success for highlighting the traditional as well as the new,” says Executive Director Jason Sohigian. “It is in this spirit that we are excited to present this concert by a young jazz quartet led by Artyom that includes the talented percussionist Arman Mnatsakanyan. We’re grateful for the support of the Dadourian Foundation, whose mission is to promote Armenian culture, and which makes the performance available for everyone online.”
“Our members have grown with the expansion of our online programming,” adds Sohigian. “By the end of 2021 we received several leadership gifts including a sponsorship from Michele Kolligian, President of our Board of Trustees, to continue the weekly video series from our curator highlighting objects in our collection, and a grant from the SJS Charitable Trust to support the Sound Archive program to digitize the 78 rpm records in our collection and make them accessible online.”
The Online Concert series is free and pre-registration is not required. The link will be available on Sunday, February 27 on the Museum’s Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and website ArmenianMuseum.org. The Armenian Museum of America in Watertown is the largest Armenian museum in the diaspora. Its three floors of gallery space are open Fridays through Sundays from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.