TIGRAN HAMASYAN MAKES CHICAGO DEBUT:
PART OF “MOCKROOT” RELEASE TOUR
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
PRESS CONTACT
January 26, 2015
Amy Iwano
Executive Director
University of Chicago Presents
Iwano@uchicago.edu
773.702.8068
PHOTOS
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CHICAGO – Armenian jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan kicks off his US tour and makes
his Chicago and label debut in the third concert of the 2014-15 Jazz at the Logan Series on
Friday, February 13th, 7:30 PM in Performance Hall at the Logan Center for the Arts.
MOCKROOT, Hamasyan’s label debut on Nonesuch Records, will be released in early
2015. This show will be in support of the record release tour, featuring the TIGRAN TRIO
with Sam Minaie on bass and Arthur Hnatek on drums.
Trained as a classical and jazz musician, Tigran Hamasyan draws on a wide range of
influences, including Armenian folk music, rock, beatbox, poetry, and more. Born in
Armenia in 1987, Tigran has won major accolades including a 2011 French Grammy Award,
first place in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Piano Competition, and the 2013 Vilcek Prize
for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music.
Also that evening, Chicago Stage at the Logan, a pre-concert performance featuring the
Rajiv Halim Quartet, takes place at 6:30 pm in Café Logan. “Chicago Stage at the Logan” is
presented in partnership with The Jazz Institute of Chicago to showcase local jazz artists.
FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 13 / 7:30 PM / PERFORMANCE HALL, LOGAN
CENTER FOR THE ARTS
TIGRAN TRIO
Tigran Hamasyan, piano; Sam Minaie, bass; Arthur Hnatek, drums
MOCKROOT
6:30 PM / CAFÉ LOGAN/LOGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Chicago Stage at the Logan with RAJIV HALIM QUARTET
Chicago-born Rajiv Halim is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator.
Chicago Stage at the Logan pre-concert performance featuring Chicago’s own talented
jazz artists, presented in partnership with The Jazz Institute of Chicago.
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ABOUT TIGRAN HAMASYAN
In the past decade, with the release of four critically acclaimed albums and an unceasing
touring schedule, Tigran Hamasyan has built up a dedicated international following, as well
as accolades from the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Brad Mehldau. In the
words of The Guardian, Hamasyan "is guided by one of [mentor and fan Herbie Hancock’s]
most enduring lessons: it's possible to be a multi-stylistic jazz virtuoso and a groove-powered
hitmaker simultaneously and hugely enjoy all of it." The Times of London said of his most
recent release, 2013’s Shadow Theater, "Armenian folk, electronic loops, heavenly voices and
indie rock energy vie with Hamasyan’s rippling piano to create a dramatic, deeply melodic
music unlike anything else you’ll hear this year.”
Armenian-born Tigran (1987) currently resides in Erevan, Armenia. He began playing piano
at the age of three, and started performing in festivals and competitions when he was 11
years old, winning the Montreux Jazz Festival’s piano competition in 2003. He released his
debut album, World Passion, at the age of 18 in 2006. That same year he won the prestigious
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition. Subsequent albums include New
Era (2008), Red Hail (2009), and A Fable (2011), for which he was awarded a Victoires de la
Musique (the equivalent of a Grammy Award in France).
ABOUT JAZZ AT THE LOGAN
Jazz at the Logan is a series dedicated to building and enriching the jazz community. It
exemplifies UChicago Presents' mission to increase community access to all types of music.
Partnerships with Chicago organizations complement Jazz at the Logan's world-class jazz
performances.
In this second season of 2014-15, listening sessions in partnership with Hyde Park Jazz
Festival will reveal insights about artists beyond their performances (Regina Carter October
23, 2014 and Jason Moran May 28, 2015). Chicago Stage at the Logan pre- and postconcert events in partnership with The Jazz Institute of Chicago provide local, emerging
jazz artists with opportunities to perform as part of the series (Rajiv Halim Quartet February
13, 2015, Marquis Hill Quintet April 19, 2015, and Juan Pastor Quintet May 29, 2015).
CONCERT LOCATION
Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts: 915 E. 60th Street, Chicago
FREE street parking is available, as well as in the lot nearby at 60th and Drexel.
TICKETS
Tickets are $35 and $5 students (with valid I.D.)
Available at UChicago Arts Box Office, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E.
60th Street. Call 773.702.ARTS (2787) or visit ticketsweb.uchicago.edu
BOX OFFICE HOURS
Regular hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 12 pm - 6 pm and through concert intermission; 1-4
pm on concert Sundays.
Concert information online at chicagopresents.uchicago.edu