Born in Gyurmi, Armenia in 1987, Tigran showed an extraordinary interest in music at age two, and by three he was playing rock and jazz standards on the piano. The next 10 years were spent intensely studying classical piano in Armenia's prestigious school for gifted children, along with an in depth private study of works of jazz masters Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Art Tatum, and others.

Discovered by a French-Armenian jazz promoter, young Tigran was invited to participate at several European festivals, where he became an instant sensation. He met and garnered rave revues from legends like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Joe Zawinul, and others. He also won the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, and the 2005 Monaco Jazz Piano Competition.

Tigran was still virtually unknown in the States when he entered the world's most prestigious jazz competition-- the Thelonious Monk Piano Competition in 2006. The panel of judges made up of Herbie Hancock, Danilo Perez, Renee Rosnes, Billy Taylor, and Randy Weston awarded him the 1st place against the more well-known and more accomplished competitors Gerald Clayton (2nd place) and Aaron Parks (3rd place). Since then Tigran has appeared at virtually every major jazz festival and concert hall, and has recorded for labels such as Nonesuch, Verve, and most recently for the legendary ECM. He also won the French Grammy Award in 2011 and German ECHO award in 2016.

Tigran's music is heavily influenced by folk, traditional, and spiritual Armenian music, Armenian medieval poetry, literature and fables, as well as the jazz and classical music cannon, thrash metal, rock, electronic music, and the traditional music of many countries such as India, Morocco, and Norway to name a few. To call his work jazz, or ethno-jazz is to severely understate and limit what it truly is-- a uniquely individual musical voice unlike anything else on the scene. This is a performance not to be missed!

WHO: Tigran Hamasyan Solo Performance
WHERE: Michelle’s Piano Company 600 SE Stark St, Portland, OR
WHEN: Friday, March 3rd, 2017. Doors at 6:30. Show at 7:30
Tickets: $15 in advance (includes all fees) through Tickettomato.com
$17 at the door
ALL AGES WELCOME!

Tigran's new solo album trailer

Tigran performing “Spinners” on Later with Jools Holland

Live in studio at KUTX Austin

Tigran Hamasyan Quintet at Montreux Jazz Festival

Herbie Hancock about Tigran