Armenian jazz ensemble Vahagni to perform in LA

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian jazz ensemble Vahagni will perform at the LA Venice Beach’s Joe’s Restaurant monthly jazz series to coincide with the First Friday’s Art Walk. Mohr Music will present the First Fridays Jazz Series at Joe’s featuring instrumental and vocal artists, internationally recognized players as well as great local talent, signed and unsigned, playing on the heated patio.

The April 6 First Fridays Jazz Series installment kicks off with jazz, flamenco and world music guitarist Vahagni. He will be joined by drummer Zach Harmon and cellist Artyom Manukyan, Asbarez reported.

Vahagni’s first album Short Stories featured Jimmy Branly, Carlitos del Puerto and Luis Conte, and was the winner of “best guitar album of the year” at the 2010 Armenian Music Awards. In April of 2011, Vahagni recorded his second album entitled Solitude with Tigran Hamasyan on piano, Artyom Manukyan on cello, Hamilton Price on bass, Jimmy Branly on drums & percussion and a guest appearance by Gerardo Morales on percussion and palmas. The album is scheduled to be released on the E ONE music label this month. Solitude is a ground breaking release which introduces Vahangi not only as a composer and guitar virtuoso but a pioneer in new world music. The album breaks traditional boundaries, mixing multiple ingredients to captivate listeners of all ages and walks of life.