Mockroot Tigran Hamasyan

• 1 To Love 02:06
• 2 Song for Melan and Rafik 05:57
• 3 Kars 1 05:27
• 4 Double-Faced 05:30
• 5 The Roads That Bring Me Closer to You 04:16
• 6 Lilac 04:11
• 7 Entertain Me 03:20
• 8 The Apple Orchard in Saghmosavanq 04:22
• 9 Kars 2 (Wounds of the Centuries) 01:34
• 10 To Negate 05:17
• 11 The Grid 05:57
• 12 Out of The Grid 10:25
• Total Runtime 58:22

Info for Mockroot

Mockroot features Hamasyan on piano, voice, keyboards, synths and sound effects, Sam Minaie on electric bass, and Arthur Hnatek on drums and live electronics. The album comprises new tracks written by Hamasyan, as well as his arrangements of traditional Armenian songs, 'Kars 1' and 'Kars 2 (Wounds of the Centuries).'

Hamasyan is currently on tour in Europe, with shows in France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland, amongst others. Further details about the forthcoming album and its release will be announced shortly, along with additional international tour dates.

Although trained as a classical and jazz musician, Tigran Hamasyan draws on a wide range of influences, including Armenian folk music, electronica, poetry, and more. In the past decade, with the release of four critically acclaimed albums and an unceasing touring schedule, he 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.' In a review of a Los Angeles concert earlier this year, LA Weekly proclaimed, 'Shadow Theater’s intricate blend of timbres, rhythmic complexity, and melodic references to his Armenian heritage were clearly a hit for this crowd. At the same time, the playful deployment of electronics, loops, and unstoppable dance grooves would have fit in perfectly at Coachella.'

Tigran Hamasyan, piano, voice, keyboards, synths
Sam Minaie, bass
Arthur Hnatek, drums

Tigran Hamasyan
is a young musician born 1987 in Armenia. In 2003, Tigran moved with his family to Los Angeles, California. He began playing piano at the age of 3. Since the age of 13, he has played in European festivals. His reputation has steadily grown with every performance.

He has won prestigious piano competitions, most notably, the 2006 Thelonious Monk jazz piano competition under supervision of Herbie Hancock. He has earned serious recognition with 4 albums and hundreds of concerts all around the world (Montreux, Montreal, North Sea, Juan Les Pins, Marciac, London Jazz Festival, Winter Festival in NY). Recently, Tigran was named the winner of the 2013 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Contemporary Music.

“A-may-zing! Now, Tigran, you are my teacher”- Herbie Hancock, on stage Festival Orleans Jazz

“A mature and great and rich and deep artist“ – Chick Corea, August 2011

“He plays piano like a raga, the next Keith Jarrett“ – Trilok Gurtu, Theatre Du Chatelet March 2011

“Tigran really grabbed me, in this really cool way“ - Brad Mehldau, NY Times 2011

His first album for Universal, recorded in Paris on solo piano, “A Fable”, was released in 2011. It sold impressively for an instrumental album with 30,000 units. It received acclaim throughout including winning a French Grammy award in 2011. Tigran’s rising stature in music garners notice globally wherever he has been able to be heard.

“Where so much contemporary jazz can be a dreary display of muscle memory, Tigran has found a way to keep improvisation fresh and lyrical. Other jazz musicians would be wise to take note.” – The Guardian

“Tigran stands out for his burning intensity” – The Telegraph

”Loving the Tigran album on Verve – a big talent…” – Gilles Peterson, live session

“With a firm yet delicate touch, Tigran lets the melody sing” – NPR

“Brilliant musician” – Later with Jools Holland

“His touch is sublime” – Downbeat

Tigran’s unique profile displays dazzling piano dexterity with an undeniably profound sense of composition. He’s equally at ease with jazz, classical music, Armenian popular repertoire, rock, heavy metal, or avant-garde.

His new album “Shadow Theater”, recorded with his band, is due to be released Fall 2013. It exhibits continued growth as an original artist. It is fueled by his passion, atmospheric punk jazz improvisations fused with the rich folkloric music of his native Armenia. “Shadow Theater” is a fresh, inspiring sound that combines many colorful elements, capturing the listener into a musical journey.

Tigran is preparing a band tour for Fall of 2013 and targeting a worldwide release date for the album in early September. The first single will be released in late March. A music video of the single from the new album along with remixes by Prefuse73, LV and Arthur Hnatek to follow.

Booklet for Mockroot