Jazz in Armenia
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The first jazz-band of Yerevan was founded in 1936, by composer Tsolak Vardazaryan. In 1938 composer Artemi Ayvazyan firstly in the USSR founded the Armenian State Jazz Orchestra. The orchestra's first drummer Robert Yolchyan become the legend of Soviet and Armenian jazz, successfully developed his own style during the decades and continued to play and took master-classes until his death in early 2000's. Another jazz-bands were founded in Nairi Cinema Hall, Yerevan Park of Communars, etc. In 1954 Konstantin Orbelyan organized estrada quintet of Armenian Radio. In 1966 in the same Radio young composer Martin Vardazaryan founded the Estrada orchestra, which in 1970's was renamed to estrada-symphonic orchestra under the direction of Melik Mavisakalyan and Yervand Yerznkyan. Then Stepan Shakarian founded the jazz-sextet of Radio, jazz-trios were founded by David Azaryan and Artashes Kartalyan. Famous jazz-pianist Levon Malkhasian ("Malkhas") founded his famous jazz-trio in cooperation with Armen Toutounjyan ("Chico") and Arthur Abrahamyan. In 1998 Malkhas become one of the iniciators of Yerevan International Jazz-Festivals. Among the leading modern jazz-musicians are Armen Martirosyan (conductor, pianist), Vahagn Hayrapetian (Petian", piano) and Armen Hyusnunts (sax).
