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Feb 2 2014
Arshak Sirunyan (Producer & Featured Artist) Releases `Hoodman's
Blind', a Stylish & Multifaceted Musical Journey Through The
Imagination Of a Gifted Composer & Musician.
PRWEB.COM Newswire
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 02, 2014
It may be early in the year, but pianist/composer Arshak Sirunyan's
Hoodman's Blind is likely to be one of the most unique and compelling
releases in 2014. The Armenian born musician was a finalist in that
country's prestigious National J. S. Bach Concerto Competition in
1994. Now a Washington DC resident, he has assembled a top-tier
ensemble of award-winning artists from around the globe in creating
this transformative collection of genre-defying compositions.
Inspired by the medieval predecessor of the game `Blindman's Bluff',
Arshak has woven a tale that creatively captures the strategy and
visceral emotions of the earlier, and far more raucous, version of the
game. Arshak efficiently captures the rollercoaster of emotions as he
reimagines the game on a grander and more dangerous level.
Adding to overall experience of Hoodman's Blind is multi-media aspect
of the project including the reproduction of paintings from the UK,
Turkey, Serbia, South Africa, China and US. The CD's beautifully
rendered insert features original art by Lin Chen (Siege Warfare),
Onur Bakar (I'm Cold), Gloria Scholik (The Mirror), Vuk Kostic (Army),
Lily Coulombe (Jester) and Ben Andrews (Market Day).
THE LINEUP
Bassist Cheikh Ndoye serves double-duty on Hoodman's Blind acting as
the album's Associate Producer. A regular collaborator with Arshak,
the synergy and shared vision comes through in every track.
Hoodman's Blind also features the talents of Eric Marienthal a former
member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band who played on two of their
multiple Grammy award winning albums. He has also performed with a
number of industry giants including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie
Wonder, Aaron Neville, The Rippingtons, and The Yellowjackets.
Saxophonist and composer Bob Franceschini performed on Mike Stern's
Grammy Nominated album Voices and has appeared as a sideman on scores
of recordings from pop luminaries such as Paul Simon and Celine Dion
and Latin stars Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri.
Guitartist Chieli Minucci is best known as leader of the
Grammy-nominated Special EFX. In addition, he has performed with pop
artists such as Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, and Jessica
Simpson. Minucci's also has a rich jazz history recording and
performing with Jay Beckenstein , Marion Meadows, Gerald Veasley and
Bob Baldwin, among others. In addition, Minucci has earned several
Emmy Awards for his extensive work in television.
Drummer Raul Pineda is another Grammy winner with a 2000 award for
Best Latin Jazz Performance with the Chucho Valdés Quartet album, Live
at the Village Vanguard. In addition, Pineda has been nominated for
three additional Grammys.
Armenian singer, percussionist , multi-instrumentalist and Grammy
winner Arto Tunçboyacıyan has worked with jazz legends such as Joe
Zawinul, Chet Baker, Paul Winter and Al Di Meola. His diverse musical
offerings have also been featured on two motion picture soundtracks.
Drummer John Lamkin III, an East Coast fixture has worked with Dexter
Gordon, Lionel Hampton, Roy Hargrove, and Kenny Garrett to mention
just a few. He shares the drumming role with Omar Hakim who has long
worked across the genres of jazz, fusion and pop performing with
vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, singer Carly Simon, Weather Report and
Sting. Hakim supplied much of the drumming for Mark Knopfler's Dire
Straits' album Brothers in Arms and has worked in American television
as well.
Likely the most familiar name in the Hoodman's Blind lineup is that of
jazz guitar great, Mike Stern. Prior to his stellar solo career, Stern
had played with famed pop group Blood, Sweat & Tears, drummer Billy
Cobham and, most notably, Miles Davis. Stern has won numerous awards
and in 2009 was ranked on Down Beat's list of 75 best jazz guitarists.
Rounding out the international roster of performers are The Vardanyan
Quartet, Artyom Manukyan (cello) and Artur Yeghiazaryan (tav shvi),
Arshavir Isahakyan (French Horns) and Albert Ordinyan(Doumbek).
THE MUSIC
It's clear from the opening piece, Preface, that Hoodman's Blind is
something different. Dark and brooding, it creates an air of mystery
only to be shattered by the primordial rock beat of Valor & Triumph.
As the piece progresses it's augmented by the lush strings of the
Vardanyan Quartet and Chieli Minucci's searing guitar.
The tribal chant of Celebration adroitly captures the spirit of the
title while further leading down the imagined paths that built into
the suite-like nature of Hoodman's Blind. In this otherworldly swirl
of musical styles there are themes that seem to circle back to their
origins and then adventurously breakaway again.
Not content to settle into any one style, a bit of chamber-psychedelia
emerges on The Dawn is Promised before The Warrior Song returns to a
rock element but this time with subtle touches of Armenia folkloric
themes. Arshak's arrangement of Ashot Satyan's tune breathes new life
into the piece. There are more straight-ahead jazz pieces interwoven
in the diverse mix of compositions as well but among the standouts are
Messenger a stellar fusion accomplishment and Imperfect Pearl, a
beautiful, soaring ballad.
Among the other stylistic variations that bring the global nature of
Hoodman's Blind to life are King's Fool, a funky kaleidoscope of
shifting momentum and Old Market, a piece that is both innocent and
rollicking. Arshak's piano and Artur Yeghiazaryan's Armenian woodwinds
create an organic hybrid with a life of its own.
Hoodman's Blind is a high-energy, totally engaging outing and these
highly receptive musicians clearly share in Arshak's mission. The
group retains the energy and individualism inherent in these
uncompromising modern works. Hoodman's Blind is a strong and inventive
collection that is sure to win Arshak a loyal following. The story,
the music and the graphics create an unforgettable story.
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2, 2014
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1516707619/arshak-hoodmans-blind
Karl Ackermann
All About Jazz, February 2014
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11502987.htm
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1715090
Feb 2 2014
Arshak Sirunyan (Producer & Featured Artist) Releases `Hoodman's
Blind', a Stylish & Multifaceted Musical Journey Through The
Imagination Of a Gifted Composer & Musician.
PRWEB.COM Newswire
Washington, DC (PRWEB) February 02, 2014
It may be early in the year, but pianist/composer Arshak Sirunyan's
Hoodman's Blind is likely to be one of the most unique and compelling
releases in 2014. The Armenian born musician was a finalist in that
country's prestigious National J. S. Bach Concerto Competition in
1994. Now a Washington DC resident, he has assembled a top-tier
ensemble of award-winning artists from around the globe in creating
this transformative collection of genre-defying compositions.
Inspired by the medieval predecessor of the game `Blindman's Bluff',
Arshak has woven a tale that creatively captures the strategy and
visceral emotions of the earlier, and far more raucous, version of the
game. Arshak efficiently captures the rollercoaster of emotions as he
reimagines the game on a grander and more dangerous level.
Adding to overall experience of Hoodman's Blind is multi-media aspect
of the project including the reproduction of paintings from the UK,
Turkey, Serbia, South Africa, China and US. The CD's beautifully
rendered insert features original art by Lin Chen (Siege Warfare),
Onur Bakar (I'm Cold), Gloria Scholik (The Mirror), Vuk Kostic (Army),
Lily Coulombe (Jester) and Ben Andrews (Market Day).
THE LINEUP
Bassist Cheikh Ndoye serves double-duty on Hoodman's Blind acting as
the album's Associate Producer. A regular collaborator with Arshak,
the synergy and shared vision comes through in every track.
Hoodman's Blind also features the talents of Eric Marienthal a former
member of the Chick Corea Elektric Band who played on two of their
multiple Grammy award winning albums. He has also performed with a
number of industry giants including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie
Wonder, Aaron Neville, The Rippingtons, and The Yellowjackets.
Saxophonist and composer Bob Franceschini performed on Mike Stern's
Grammy Nominated album Voices and has appeared as a sideman on scores
of recordings from pop luminaries such as Paul Simon and Celine Dion
and Latin stars Willie Colón, Tito Puente, and Eddie Palmieri.
Guitartist Chieli Minucci is best known as leader of the
Grammy-nominated Special EFX. In addition, he has performed with pop
artists such as Lionel Richie, Jennifer Lopez, Jewel, and Jessica
Simpson. Minucci's also has a rich jazz history recording and
performing with Jay Beckenstein , Marion Meadows, Gerald Veasley and
Bob Baldwin, among others. In addition, Minucci has earned several
Emmy Awards for his extensive work in television.
Drummer Raul Pineda is another Grammy winner with a 2000 award for
Best Latin Jazz Performance with the Chucho Valdés Quartet album, Live
at the Village Vanguard. In addition, Pineda has been nominated for
three additional Grammys.
Armenian singer, percussionist , multi-instrumentalist and Grammy
winner Arto Tunçboyacıyan has worked with jazz legends such as Joe
Zawinul, Chet Baker, Paul Winter and Al Di Meola. His diverse musical
offerings have also been featured on two motion picture soundtracks.
Drummer John Lamkin III, an East Coast fixture has worked with Dexter
Gordon, Lionel Hampton, Roy Hargrove, and Kenny Garrett to mention
just a few. He shares the drumming role with Omar Hakim who has long
worked across the genres of jazz, fusion and pop performing with
vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, singer Carly Simon, Weather Report and
Sting. Hakim supplied much of the drumming for Mark Knopfler's Dire
Straits' album Brothers in Arms and has worked in American television
as well.
Likely the most familiar name in the Hoodman's Blind lineup is that of
jazz guitar great, Mike Stern. Prior to his stellar solo career, Stern
had played with famed pop group Blood, Sweat & Tears, drummer Billy
Cobham and, most notably, Miles Davis. Stern has won numerous awards
and in 2009 was ranked on Down Beat's list of 75 best jazz guitarists.
Rounding out the international roster of performers are The Vardanyan
Quartet, Artyom Manukyan (cello) and Artur Yeghiazaryan (tav shvi),
Arshavir Isahakyan (French Horns) and Albert Ordinyan(Doumbek).
THE MUSIC
It's clear from the opening piece, Preface, that Hoodman's Blind is
something different. Dark and brooding, it creates an air of mystery
only to be shattered by the primordial rock beat of Valor & Triumph.
As the piece progresses it's augmented by the lush strings of the
Vardanyan Quartet and Chieli Minucci's searing guitar.
The tribal chant of Celebration adroitly captures the spirit of the
title while further leading down the imagined paths that built into
the suite-like nature of Hoodman's Blind. In this otherworldly swirl
of musical styles there are themes that seem to circle back to their
origins and then adventurously breakaway again.
Not content to settle into any one style, a bit of chamber-psychedelia
emerges on The Dawn is Promised before The Warrior Song returns to a
rock element but this time with subtle touches of Armenia folkloric
themes. Arshak's arrangement of Ashot Satyan's tune breathes new life
into the piece. There are more straight-ahead jazz pieces interwoven
in the diverse mix of compositions as well but among the standouts are
Messenger a stellar fusion accomplishment and Imperfect Pearl, a
beautiful, soaring ballad.
Among the other stylistic variations that bring the global nature of
Hoodman's Blind to life are King's Fool, a funky kaleidoscope of
shifting momentum and Old Market, a piece that is both innocent and
rollicking. Arshak's piano and Artur Yeghiazaryan's Armenian woodwinds
create an organic hybrid with a life of its own.
Hoodman's Blind is a high-energy, totally engaging outing and these
highly receptive musicians clearly share in Arshak's mission. The
group retains the energy and individualism inherent in these
uncompromising modern works. Hoodman's Blind is a strong and inventive
collection that is sure to win Arshak a loyal following. The story,
the music and the graphics create an unforgettable story.
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 2, 2014
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1516707619/arshak-hoodmans-blind
Karl Ackermann
All About Jazz, February 2014
Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11502987.htm
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1715090