Arto Tunçboyacıyan ( hy, Արտո Թունջբոյաջյան; hyw, Արթօ Թունճպոյաճեան, Art'ō T'unjpoyajean; born August 4, 1957) is a
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
-based
avant-garde
The avant-garde (; In 'advance guard' or ' vanguard', literally 'fore-guard') is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.John Picchione, The New Avant-garde in Italy: Theoretical ...
folk
Folk or Folks may refer to:
Sociology
*Nation
*People
* Folklore
** Folk art
** Folk dance
** Folk hero
** Folk music
*** Folk metal
*** Folk punk
*** Folk rock
** Folk religion
* Folk taxonomy
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Folk Plus or Fol ...
and
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
multi-instrumentalist and singer of
Armenian
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...
descent.
He fronts his own group called the Armenian Navy Band, and is also a member of the instrumental quartet
Night Ark.
Tunçboyacıyan had appeared on more than 200 records in Europe before arriving in the United States, where he went on to work with numerous
jazz
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...
musicians including
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool".
Baker earned much attention and ...
,
Marc Johnson,
Al Di Meola
Albert Laurence Di Meola (born July 22, 1954) is an American guitarist. Known for his works in jazz fusion and world music, he began his career as a guitarist of the group Return to Forever in 1974. Between the 1970s and 1980s, albums such as ' ...
, and
Joe Zawinul
Josef Erich Zawinul ( '; 7 July 1932 – 11 September 2007) was an Austrian jazz and jazz fusion keyboardist and composer. First coming to prominence with saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, Zawinul went on to play with Miles Davis and to bec ...
, as well as performing semi-regularly with
Paul Winter
Paul Winter (born August 31, 1939) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is a pioneer of world music and earth music, which interweaves the voices of the wild with instrumental voices from classical, jazz and world music. The ...
and the Earth Band. He has worked with Turkish singer
Sezen Aksu
Sezen Aksu (; born Fatma Sezen Yıldırım; 13 July 1954) is a Turkish pop music singer, songwriter and producer who has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. Her nicknames include the "Queen of Turkish Pop" and "''Minik Serçe''" ("Little Spar ...
and the Greek singer
Eleftheria Arvanitaki
Eleftheria Arvanitaki (Greek: Ελευθερία Αρβανιτάκη) (born 17 October 1957 in Piraeus) is a Greek folk singer. She originates from the island of Icaria. Arvanitaki has worked with important musicians, such as Cesária Évora, Ar ...
. Tunçboyacıyan's elder brother
Onno Tunç
Ohannes Tunçboyacı, better known as Onno Tunç (December 20, 1948 – January 14, 1996), was a leading Armenian-Turkish musician, working mainly as a composer, arranger and a music producer. Tunç also played bass guitar and occasionally double ...
was also a musician, and they have collaborated on several occasions.
Early life
Arto Tunçboyacıyan was born in
Istanbul
Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...
, Turkey His father was a shoemaker of Armenian descent.
At the age of 11, he began his career playing and recording traditional Anatolian music with various musicians, including his brother
Onno Tunç
Ohannes Tunçboyacı, better known as Onno Tunç (December 20, 1948 – January 14, 1996), was a leading Armenian-Turkish musician, working mainly as a composer, arranger and a music producer. Tunç also played bass guitar and occasionally double ...
, thus establishing himself as a professional musician throughout Turkey and
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...
.
In 1981, Tunçboyacıyan moved to the United States and settled in
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
.
[
]
Career
Arto started an association with Armenian-American oud player Ara Dinkjian
Ara Dinkjian ( hy, Արա Տինքճեան; born June 18, 1958) is an Armenian-American musician. He is the founder of the band Night Ark. Dinkjian is considered one of the top oud players in the world, his compositions have been recorded in thir ...
. In 1985, the quartet Night Ark was founded and led by Ara Dinkjian. Arto recorded the duo project with Ara Dinkjian "Tears of Dignity" (1994) and "Onno" (1996) homage to his brother Onno who died in a plane crash in 1996.
In 1988, his solo albums ''Virginland'' and ''Main Root'' were released. In 1997 ''Aile Muhabbeti'' was released in Turkey and used as a movie soundtrack. He composed the songs with Armenian and Turkish musicians. In 2000 he released ''Every Day is a New Life''.
In 1998, Tunçboyacıyan returned to the Yerevan
Yerevan ( , , hy, Երևան , sometimes spelled Erevan) is the capital and largest city of Armenia and one of the world's List of oldest continuously inhabited cities, oldest continuously inhabited cities. Situated along the Hrazdan River, Y ...
, the capital of Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''Ox ...
, and met pianist and keyboardist Vahagn Hayrapetyan
Vahagn Hayrapetyan ( hy, Վահագն Հայրապետյան) (born August 30 1968) is a jazz pianist, singer and composer.
Honored Artist of Armenia.
Biography
Vahagn Hayrapetyan was born in Yerevan in the family of fiddler Karapet Hayrapetyan ...
. They soon organised a rehearsal in order to recruit musicians to start a band. Ten local musicians were enlisted, thus becoming the Armenian Navy Band.
Some months later, in 1999, the band recorded their first album, called ''Bzdik Zinvor'', in Yerevan. The recording was followed by their first European tour in 2000, in Italy
Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...
, Germany
Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
, Austria
Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...
and Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
. The band then performed concerts in France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
, Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
and the Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
. During a 2001 stop in Istanbul
Istanbul ( , ; tr, İstanbul ), formerly known as Constantinople ( grc-gre, Κωνσταντινούπολις; la, Constantinopolis), is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, serving as the country's economic, ...
, the Armenian Navy Band recorded their second album, ''New Apricot'', in 2001.
Armenian Navy Band's next album was ''Türkçe Sözlü Hafif Anadolu Müziği'' ( en, Light Anatolian Music With Turkish Words), recorded in the winter of 2001.
Tunçboyacıyan's 2001 album ''Aile Muhabbeti'' was used as soundtrack in two films: ''Hemşo'' (2001) and ''Mon père est ingénieur'' (2004).
The 2003 album ''Serart
''Serart'' is a collaboration album by the two Armenian musicians Serj Tankian ("Ser-"), lead singer of System of a Down, and Folk music, folk multi-instrumentalist Arto Tunçboyacıyan ("-art"). It was the first release on Tankian's own label, ...
'' is a collaboration with Serj Tankian
Serj Tankian (born August 21, 1967) is an Armenian-American singer, musician, songwriter, political activist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, keyboardist, and occasional rhythm guitarist of heavy metal ...
of System of a Down
System of a Down (also known as SoaD or simply System) is an Armenian-American heavy metal band formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. Since 1997, the band has consisted of Serj Tankian (lead vocals, keyboards); Daron Malakian (guitar, voc ...
. They found common ground in shared Armenian backgrounds and a passion for sonic explorations in creating music that is claimed to be "completely new."
In the fall of 2003, a new project was born in a Yerevan studio. It was the beginning of a large sound project called "Sound of Our Life – Part One: Natural Seeds". The project was put together by Arto and the Armenian Navy Band, who joined their talents one more time in the fall of 2006 for Part Two. They are hourlong compositions for the ANB and choir and string orchestras.
In 2004, Tunçboyacıyan opened the ANB Avant-garde Folk Music Club in Yerevan. In 2006, the Armenian Navy Band was nominated for Best Band of Europe and the Audience Award at the 2006 BBC World Music Awards.
There is a hidden track on the album ''Toxicity
Toxicity is the degree to which a chemical substance or a particular mixture of substances can damage an organism. Toxicity can refer to the effect on a whole organism, such as an animal, bacterium, or plant, as well as the effect on a subst ...
'' by System of a Down where Arto contributed with the band to a traditional Armenian Church
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...
hymn, "Der Voghormya (Lord Have Mercy)". He played the instrumental part of "Science" on the same album, and his voice can be heard in the interlude of "Bubbles" from ''Steal This Album!
''Steal This Album!'' is the third studio album by Armenian-American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on November 26, 2002, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. Produced by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian, it peaked at number 1 ...
''
In 2007 he formed the group Yash-Ar with fellow Turkish-Armenian rock artist Yaşar Kurt
Arşak Yaşar Kurt ( hy, Արշակ Յաշար Կուրթ, born 16 August 1968) is a Turkish-Armenian rock artist.
Biography
He studied in 1990 at the Faculty of Open Education Anadolu University but did not graduate.
He founded the alternativ ...
. Yash-Ar is made up of first part of his and Yaşar Kurt's first names.
In February 2011, Arto Tunçboyacıyan, as a band-member of The Paul Winter Consort, won the Grammy for Best New Age Album for ''Miho: Journey to the Mountain''.
Armenian Navy Band
The Armenian Navy Band lineup varies from traditional (duduk
The duduk ( ; hy, դուդուկ ) or tsiranapogh ( hy, ծիրանափող, meaning “apricot-made wind instrument”), is an ancient Armenian double reed woodwind instrument made of apricot wood. It is indigenous to Armenia. Variations of th ...
, zurna
The zurna (Armenian language, Armenian: զուռնա zuṙna; Classical Armenian, Old Armenian: սուռնայ suṙnay; Albanian language, Albanian: surle/surla; Persian language, Persian: karna/Kornay/surnay; Macedonian language, Macedonian: з ...
, kemanche
The kamancheh (also kamānche or kamāncha) ( fa, کمانچه, az, kamança, hy, Քամանչա, ku, کەمانچە ,kemançe) is an Iranian bowed string instrument used in Persian, Azerbaijani, Armenian, Kurdish, Georgian, Turkmen, a ...
, kanun) to contemporary (trombone, alto sax, tenor, soprano sax, trumpet, bass, drums, keyboard and piano) instrumentation. The band plays a mixture of adapted and modern Armenian folk music
Armenian folk music is a genre of Armenian music. It usually uses the duduk, the kemenche, and the oud. It is very similar to folk music in the Caucasus and shares many similar songs and traditions with countries around Armenia, namely Georgia a ...
. (Note that, being landlocked, the country of Armenia
Armenia (), , group=pron officially the Republic of Armenia,, is a landlocked country in the Armenian Highlands of Western Asia.The UNbr>classification of world regions places Armenia in Western Asia; the CIA World Factbook , , and ''Ox ...
has no navy.)
*Arto Tunçboyacıyan (percussion, vocals, bular)
*Anahit Artushyan (kanun)
*Armen Ayvazyan (kemanche)
*Armen Hyusnunts (tenor and soprano saxophone)
*Ashot Harutiunyan (trombone)
*David Nalchajyan (alto saxophone)
*Tigran Suchyan (trumpet)
*Norayr Kartashyan (blul, duduk, zurna)
*Vardan Grigoryan (duduk, zurna)
*Arman Jalalyan (drums)
*Vahagn Hayrapetyan (piano, keyboards)
*Artyom Manukyan (bass, cello)
*Vardan Arakelyan (bass)
*Gagik Khodavirdi (guitar)
*Vahram Davtyan (trombone)
Discography
Solo
Armenian Navy Band
Night Ark
Yash-Ar
* ''Nefrete Kine Karşı'' (Arma Music, 2009)
As sideman
With Ron Getz
*''Ego State'' (Alithea Records, 1988)
With Arthur Blythe
Arthur Murray Blythe (May 7, 1940 – March 27, 2017) was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer. He was described by critic Chris Kelsey as displaying "one of the most easily recognizable alto sax sounds in jazz, big and round, with a f ...
*'' Night Song'' (Clarity, 1997)
With Al Di Meola
Albert Laurence Di Meola (born July 22, 1954) is an American guitarist. Known for his works in jazz fusion and world music, he began his career as a guitarist of the group Return to Forever in 1974. Between the 1970s and 1980s, albums such as ' ...
* ''World Sinfonia
''World Sinfonia'' is an album by jazz fusion guitarist Al Di Meola that was released in 1991.
Track listing
# "Perpetual Emotion " (Al Di Meola) – 3:30
# "Orient Blue" (Di Meola) – 2:57
# "Tango Suite Part I" (Ástor Piazzolla) – 8:49
# " ...
'' (Tomato, 1991)
* '' World Sinfonia II – Heart of the Immigrants'' (Tomato, 1993)
* '' World Sinfonía III – The Grande Passion'' (Telarc, 2000)
With Human Element
* ''Human Element'' (Abstract Logix, 2011)
* ''You Are In You'' (Human Element Music, 2018)
With Marc Johnson & Right Brain Patrol
* ''Right Brain Patrol
''Right Brain Patrol'', put out on JMT label, is a studio album by jazz acoustic bassist Marc Johnson and the first with his trio featuring guitarist Ben Monder and percussionist and singer Arto Tuncboyaciyan. Jazz Music Today released the albu ...
'' (JMT, 1991)
* '' Magic Labyrinth'' (JMT, 1995)
With Paul Motian
Stephen Paul Motian (March 25, 1931 – November 22, 2011) was an American jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer. Motian played an important role in freeing jazz drummers from strict time-keeping duties.
He first came to prominence in the l ...
& Simon Nabatov
Simon Nabatov (born 11 January 1959) is a Russian-American jazz pianist.
Early life
Nabatov was born in Moscow on 11 January 1959. His parents were Leon, a professional pianist and choir conductor who was a native of Belarus, and Regina. Nabatov ...
* ''Circle the Line'' (GM, 1986)
With Hank Roberts
Hank Roberts (born March 24, 1954, Terre Haute, Indiana) is an American jazz cellist and vocalist. He plays the electric cello, and his style is a mixture of rock, jazz, avant-garde, folk, and classical influences. He emerged with the downtown N ...
* ''Little Motor People
''Little Motor People'' is the third album led by cellist Hank Roberts which was recorded in late 1992 and released on the JMT label.Shimada, T.JMT label discography accessed November 14, 2014
Reception
AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars. '' (JMT, 1993)
With Paul Winter
Paul Winter (born August 31, 1939) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. He is a pioneer of world music and earth music, which interweaves the voices of the wild with instrumental voices from classical, jazz and world music. The ...
& The Earth Band
* ''Journey With The Sun'' (Living Music, 2000)
Other appearances
Filmography
* 2017: '' Nice Evening'' (Լավ Երեկո), special guest, as himself
Awards
* Armenian Music Award (2002)
* World Music Award
The World Music Awards is an international award show founded in 1989 under the patronage of Albert II, Prince of Monaco and co-founder/executive producer John Martinotti. The event is based in Monte Carlo. Awards are presented to the world' ...
(2006)
* Armenian Music Award (2007)
* Grammy
The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pre ...
(2011)
References
External links
Official website of Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Official website of Armenian Navy Band
Arto Tuncboyacian and Armenian Navy Band concert in Moscow 19 May 2012
Arto on SOADfans
Arto & ANB on BBC website
Armenian Navy Band on Armenian Jazz
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuncboyaciyan, Arto
1957 births
Living people
Turkish people of Armenian descent
Musicians from Istanbul
Avant-garde musicians
Jazz percussionists
Armenian folk musicians
Armenian jazz musicians
Armenian rock musicians
Turkish folk musicians
Turkish jazz musicians
Turkish rock musicians
Honored artists of Armenia
The Zawinul Syndicate members
System of a Down